I am a big fan of the Marvel Superhero films (or if you want to be geeky – the Marvel Cinematic Universe) that have been released since 2008, starting with one of my favourites ‘Iron Man’. The film ‘The Avengers – End Game’ was so epic I nearly burst with joy, such was its brilliance. It had everything, oh wow! Sorry I got carried away then just thinking about it again! The basic premise of these films tends to be the same, there is a baddie who either wants to destroy the world or control it, and there is a goodie (the superhero) who comes and saves the day! I love it! OK, I know I may have slightly oversimplified it, but you get it.
The Israelites were waiting for a Messiah, a hero if you will, who would change everything; someone to save them from Roman Rule, to lead them to victory! For many they thought this person would be a military leader perhaps a bit like Joshua in the Old Testament. Someone who would protect them, fight for them, reinstate them to a place of power. If not a military leader, then a King, someone who would reign and rule in a way that would restore her fortunes.
BUT
The Messiah came as a baby. Just pondering on that for a moment is incredible. The vulnerability of the whole situation. In that moment, the Messiah, the SAVIOUR, the hero was born. God Incarnate.
And he did not fit the expectation, he did not become a King in the way the people wanted, he was no military leader. In fact, as we will see in a few weeks’ time, he was called Prince of Peace.
The prophet Isaiah says (Isaiah 9:6):
“And he will be called Wonderful Counsellor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.”
We get the term ‘Mighty God’ from a compound Hebrew word ‘El Gibbor’.
El – Is a singular form of the word Elohim. In the Old Testament this referred to the one true God. Jesus was no ordinary man. He was God. He referred to this on several occasions (John 8:58).
Gibbor – the word translated ‘Mighty’ can mean ‘strength, power, hero’.
As Isaiah writes these incredible words, he states this child would not only have the power of God, but he would be the God of power. The only true hero, the only one who would save us from our sin.
This week perhaps you need to hear these words. The Jesus we celebrate, the CHRIST of Christmas is ‘Mighty’ – he is our strength when we are weak, our victory when we feel defeated, our hero when we are lost and need saving, the power when we are powerless. He is God – with us – here among us now. I urge you to turn to him, to look to him, to follow him, to serve him. Through Jesus we can KNOW MIGHTY GOD personally, and noone compares to Him.
Jesus is Holy & Good rather than Hollywood. He is a REAL hero. He is MIGHTY beyond comparison.
Now that really is something to marvel at.
– Mark.
