He’s Not a Baby in a Manger Anymore: Mighty God, Part 1

I.     He’s Not a Baby in a Manger Anymore

During the coming weeks as we celebrate this Christmas holiday, many of us gather our families around the tree or the fire and retell the story found in the book of Luke. The beginning goes something like this (my paraphrase): “He was born of a young virgin teenager, laid in the animal’s feeding trough, and wrapped in strips of cotton fabric.” The prophesied Messiah’s entry into the world was quite a humble beginning, even for those more primitive times. However, the Jesus that lives today as Isaiah prophesied in chapter 9, verse 6 was to be known as Mighty God.

What are the first words that come out of the mouths of those expectant parents who finally hold their child for the first time? You hear things like, “Isn’t she beautiful?” or “He has your eyes” or “Isn’t he cute?” Very few long-awaited children have the words “Wow, he’s a mighty child” spoken over them, let alone that he or she is a “mighty God.” Isaiah’s words were those used to describe not who He was to be at birth, but who He would become as the full-grown Jesus.  This is expressed so wonderfully by one of my favorite songs written by Misty Edwards. In the song “People Get Ready” she tagged a phrase that says, “He’s  not a baby in a manger anymore; He’s not a broken man on a cross.”  Our Jesus, our Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God is no longer to be identified as a baby in a manger or the dying God-man broken on the cross. He is alive and is the all-powerful man, Jesus, who came to seek and save the lost and today is seated at the right hand of the Father, ruling and reigning. He is our Mighty God.

II.   Jesus is All Powerful

We all use the word “powerful.” We say things like “The President of the United States is powerful” or “That tornado was really powerful.” We may refer to a car’s powerful engine, an orator’s powerful speech, or a hitter’s powerful swing. Yet, we also make statements claiming that God is powerful. It seems odd that we use the exact same word to describe God and the President of the United States. It’s almost as if we need another word to heighten the level of power that God alone holds. Yet that word doesn’t exist in our language; therefore, we are left to find adjectives that describe the greatness of His power.

Jeremiah 32:17 declares that by the great power of His outstretched arms the heavens and the earth were created. Who can claim that sort of power? From there Jeremiah continues saying, “Nothing is too difficult for Him.” During one of the worship times of our month-long outpouring, I can specifically remember a holy moment I experienced while singing the song, “Healer. The bridge from that song repeats the words “Nothing is impossible for You.” While singing those words, I can remember having the thought, “There is no such thing as ‘impossible’ in heaven.” Every impossibility that exists in our minds is non-existent in Heaven. If Heaven had a dictionary, I doubt seriously that we would be able to find the word “impossible” in it.

Maybe your business is failing or you recently lost your job. Perhaps you have received a disturbing diagnosis from your doctor. Perhaps you or someone you know is suffering with the consequences of  a collapsing marriage. Our impossibilities are God’s opportunities for the infusion of supernatural power.

At this moment, think of the most impossible thing in your life or in the life of someone else you may know. Ask your Mighty God to work His power on your behalf.