Christmas Warrior King

Thirty-seven years ago this month on December 21, as a teenager, I walked from my house to the pastors house. I sat on the white carpeted floor while praying with Brenda the pastor’s wife, giving my heart, life and dreams to Jesus.  As I walked home, the shiny colored bulb lights and the nativity scene in the neighbor’s yard now meant so much MORE.  Mighty God.

“For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given and the government shall be on His shoulders. And He will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.” (Isaiah. 9:6)

Christmas, the birth of Jesus. This verse is sung in carols, beautifully gold leafed across our Christmas cards, even quoted by those who don’t have a clue WHO Jesus is. But have we really considered the fact that THE Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, and Prince of Peace was … given … to … US! ‘For unto us…‘ That is YOU and me. Not just the shepherds watching their flocks by night, or the wise guys carrying royalty endowed gifts.  Mighty God. At first glance we would assume it is just a two word religious name used to describe just how big God is.  BIG He is. Yet this is NOT the intent of this prophetic narrative.

Sadly, many in society today see Jesus as weak, the man in a white robe knocking on a door. For some, they leave Jesus in the manger as a swaddled babe, meek and mild with a hovering halo above His head.  Mighty God.

Mighty in the Hebrew (gibbor) renders a militant theme. STRONG, BRAVE, VALIANT, that of a successful RULER.  (Emphasis made to express the magnitude of the word) In the context of battle, ‘gibbor’ is better understood as a category of warriors, ‘Gibbor’ is the proven warrior.  Let that settle on us.  It can even be translated as HERO! Boy doesn’t this culture need a ‘hero’ with hand raising allegiance!

If we could take the same energy found at a pro basketball game: As the star player runs down the court, his name yelled from all corners of the arena, taking a few steps he launches himself up, releasing the ball!  Swish!  The place goes wild!  The score board changes to victory!  Taking THAT energy, awe provoked praise and that allegiance, the same worship and spend it on JESUS, the One declared … WORTHY.  Can you imagine. WOW!  Take THAT opposing team! Mighty God.

The culture of Isaiah’s day, as found in the Semitic language was also seen in word picture imagery as ‘to rise, strong or prevailing.’  What a wonderful picture, the Warrior-King arising. Psalm 68:1 “Let God arise, let His enemies be scattered, and let those who hate Him flee before Him.” Here the picture is God rising up with all power & authority. This is very serious and something to be feared. Remember Jesus and His guys in a boat, the violent storm, Jesus stands up.  I say “Go God!”  Stand UP … look out!”  Now THAT would be an arena Hero experience!  Mighty God.

HOWEVER, with all this ‘mighty’ strength and warrior muscle bearing, there is gentleness. “The Lord your God is with you, He is mighty (gibbor) to save. He will take great delight in you, He will quiet you with His love, He will rejoice over you with singing.” (Zephaniah 3:17) Interesting, the word translated here for quiet means ‘engrave.’ While God is flexing His muscles with power & authority to save you, He engraves His love on you.’ Mighty God.

King David poetically declared, “O LORD my God, You have performed many wonders for us. Your plans for us are too numerous to list. You have no equal. If I tried to recite all Your wonderful deeds, I would never come to the end of them.”   – Psalm 40:5

Christmas, celebrating the birth of Jesus, do we render a nod of the head only to the babe in the manger, or see Him as He is: Strong, brave, risen, successful ruler, our  proven Warrior King.  Mighty God.

“The Word became flesh and made His dwelling among us. We have seen His glory, the glory of the One and Only, who came from the Father, full of grace and truth.” – John 1:14  (The arena goes wild!  The score board changes to VICTORY!)

May we declare like King David, “You have no equal.”

“For unto us a child is born, to us a son is given …”

In Him, DeDe (‘Let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds’ -Heb.10:24)