Key Text: Isaiah 9:6
About 700 years before Jesus was born, Isaiah announced the birth of Israel’s Messiah. The prophet’s vision stretched forward through the years from Christ’s lowly birth in Bethlehem to His glorious future reign in the New Jerusalem, when there will be unspoiled peace under Messiah’s rule:
The word mighty in Isaiah 9:6 relates to the king’s leadership role. In the original Hebrew, the meaning is that of ‘having or showing great power in authority or military leadership; heroic, valiant.’
As Israel’s Mighty God, the Messiah will be a brave and powerful leader ruling over the armies of God like no other king before Him. He will be the divine hero and champion defender described in Deuteronomy 10:17: ‘For the Lord your God is God of gods and Lord of lords, the great God, mighty and awesome, who shows no partiality and accepts no bribes.’
Jesus however, showed a different kind of leadership strength than people had come to expect. The kingdom principles Jesus introduced were based on servant leadership Matthew 12:17–21; 20:28 and a kingdom ‘not of this world’ John 6:15; 18:36
Scripture says that, when Jesus came to earth, He voluntarily emptied Himself, by taking the form of a servant, being born in the likeness of men. – ‘gave up his divine privileges; He took the humble position of a slave and was born as a human being’Philippians 2:7
The ‘Mighty God’ manifestation of Isaiah’s prophecy will only be fully seen in Christ’s second coming. But let us be clear , in every aspect of His life and ministry, from His conception, to His ascension, Jesus operated with divine power and authority.
Luke 4:14 records that Jesus began His public ministry ‘in the power of the Spirit’. People testified Luke 24:19 that Jesus was a man who was a prophet mighty in deed and word before God and all the people.
His mighty works showed the power of the Lord was with Him to heal Luke 5:17.
As people touched Jesus, ‘power came out from Him and healed them all’ Luke 6:19, When Jesus cast out demons and unclean spirits, He proved that He is both divine and mighty, operating under God’s complete authority and power Luke 4:36;
The apostle Paul announced, “Men of Israel, hear these words: Jesus of Nazareth, a man attested to you by God with mighty works and wonders and signs that God did through him in your midst, as you yourselves know Acts 2:22 Jesus’ supernatural acts confirmed that Jesus is Mighty God.
The resurrection is undoubtedly the most significant proof that Jesus is the Mighty God, working in the fullness of His Father’s power and authority.
Jesus, who had the power to lay down His life and take it up again John 10:18, humbly submitted to the weakness and humiliation of death on the cross.
But then God demonstrated His great power ‘what is the immeasurable greatness of his power toward us who believe, according to the working of His great might that He worked in Christ when He raised Him from the dead and seated Him at His right hand in the heavenly places, far above all rule and authority and power and dominion, and above every name that is named, not only in this age but also in the one to come. And He put all things under His feet and gave Him as head over all things to the church Ephesians 1:19–22
As Mighty God, Jesus rose from the dead and now sits at God’s right hand in heaven, high above every other authority, power, and leader.
The Bible says God granted Jesus authority over all people to give eternal life to those given Him by the Father
At the end of the age, Jesus will come again to earth “with power and great glory” Matthew 24:30.
When Jesus steps on the world’s stage next time, Isaiah’s vision of a Mighty God and King will come to full fruition. Jesus will hand over the kingdom to His heavenly Father after He has destroyed every enemy of God 1 Corinthians 15:24–25
As Mighty God, Jesus will judge all the people of the earth (Revelation 18:8, 10). Then He will sit on His eternal throne and reign in great power and authority
Every creature in heaven and on earth will bow down and worship Him.
Heaven will ring with the shout of: “Worthy is the Lamb who was slain, to receive power and wealth and wisdom and might and honour and glory and blessing! “To Him who sits on the throne and to the Lamb be blessing and honour and glory and might forever and ever…“Hallelujah! Salvation and glory and power belong to our God, Revelation 5:12–13; 19:1