Merry Christmas to all of our FOCUS Ministries friends and may all the blessings of the birth of the Savior stay with you into the New Year and across all the days of 2026. Now that the rush and crush of the holidays is past, let’s spend just a bit of time pondering the wonder of the incarnation…
So many Scriptures touched my heart this Christmas – the Gospel narratives describing the arrival of Jesus, heralded by angels, worshiped by shepherds, gifted by wise men from the East. We think of the mystery…how could God become a human baby? It is too much to wrap my brain around! So I rely on God’s Word to help me fathom some of the gigantic truths surrounding Messiah’s coming to earth.
Let’s consider Isaiah 9:6 one more time before we zoom off into all of our post-Christmas activities.
“For unto us a Child is born, unto us a Son is given; and the government will be upon His shoulder. And His name will be called Wonderful, Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.”
Can you hear the Handel’s Messiah singers?
I love all of the names – He is indeed wonderful in His wisdom and helps us everyday because He is our Father forever. And how amazing that His peace will last forever because He is truly the Prince of Peace.
But the name that has stuck out to me this year is Mighty God. I learned the original Hebrew for Mighty God is El Gibbor and it is overwhelmingly practical to us today. El Gibbor means “God the Hero” or “Powerful Champion”.
Raise your hand if you need a hero today!
This name for Messiah Jesus tells us that He is our powerful, heroic God. He is our ultimate and supreme champion, full of might and strength. He makes all the other heroes and champions fade away. Superman and all the Marvel comic book characters dissolve into nothingness as we consider that Jesus is God our Hero forever.
Whether you are in an abusive relationship, trying to escape from one or going through the slow process of recovery and healing from terrible physical and emotional wounds, please remember that you have a Hero who is strong enough to help you, carry you, and save your soul forever.
There’s only One who is heroic enough to save us. Only One who will be our champion when we go to court against our enemies. Only One who will never leave us or forsake us. Only One who took our sins to the cross and then rose again three days later to give us the Blessed Hope that we will be with Him for all eternity.
Only Jesus Christ the Messiah, the King, can save you and give you true comfort and joy today.
May the love and blessings of El Gibbor surround you today and fill you with joy and hope as you trust in Him. Amen.