The Savior We Welcome: Mighty God
- First Pres Bakerstown
- 3 days ago
- 3 min read
Know Him as El Gibbor: Why the Manger Holds the Mightiest God
The Christmas season is filled with songs that speak of a "holy" and "divine" King, words that often pass over us like beautiful, shimmering ornaments on a tree. They’re lovely to sing, but do we truly grasp the magnificent, life-changing truth behind the titles we give the baby in the manger?
My deepest prayer for you this season is that you would not just know Jesus as a sweet baby, but that you would truly meet Him as El Gibbor—the Mighty God.
This title, proclaimed by the prophet Isaiah over 700 years before His birth, reveals exactly who this Savior is and why He came. Let’s dive into the astonishing power wrapped up in this Hebrew name.
1. The Context: A Mighty Warrior for a Fearful Time
When Isaiah first penned the words in chapter 9, Judah was not experiencing a "silent night." They were living in the shadow of darkness, surrounded by warfaring, idolatrous nations. The people were gripped by fear, uncertainty, and "through-the-roof anxiety." They were desperate for a deliverer.
The Lord's promise was not a simple comforter, but a divine intervention. He promised El Gibbor:
El (God) signifies divine strength and power.
Gibbor (Mighty) describes a heroic, strong warrior.
Putting the two together paints a picture of a victorious warrior who steps into absolute chaos and defeats the enemies of His people. In a world cowering in the shadow of darkness, God promised a light, a hero, a champion.
2. The Incarnation: Divine Strength in Human Weakness
Here is the most astonishing assertion of the Gospel: the divine, mighty, heroic warrior would come as a child.
Think about the contrast. If your nation is facing a threat to its existence, you don’t ask for a vulnerable baby; you ask for a General! Yet, Isaiah declared that the Messiah would not merely be a good man, a wise teacher, or a prophet—He would be God Himself.
As John the Gospel writer confirms, "The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us,” a truth we call the Incarnation. El Gibbor, with all His divine strength, was "wrapped in human weakness.”
He walked our sod, breathed our air, knew our pains, and was tempted in every way we are. He did this so He could draw close enough to us, not in thunder and fire, but in humility and compassion.
His might was displayed, not in raw power, but in redeeming love. He:
Healed the blind and the lame.
Fed the hungry and gave living water to the thirsty.
Even commanded the dead (Lazarus) to rise.
He came close enough to suffer... and to save.
3. The Ultimate Victory: The Battle That Matters
What was the great battle this Mighty Warrior came to fight?
It wasn't a skirmish with Rome or with Israel's immediate political enemies that preoccupied so many at the time. No, the war of El Gibbor is against the three enemies that enslave every human heart:
Sin
Death
The Powers of Evil (The Devil)
On the cross, Jesus faced these enemies head-on, sacrificing Himself. He did not win by force of arms, but by the force of love in sacrifice. His death paid the price for our sin. His resurrection shattered the grip of death forever.
This is the ultimate triumph of El Gibbor: a victory that is not temporary, but eternal. Sin lost its claim, death lost its sting, and the curse was broken.
The cradle leads to the cross, and the cross leads to a living victory that transforms every life that trusts in Him.
4. El Gibbor Lives in You
This victorious power is not a distant, abstract idea. The sermon reminds us that the same Mighty God who came in Jesus now lives in those who believe, through the Holy Spirit. (Rom 8:11)
Because of this truth, the strength of El Gibbor is now your strength.
When life feels dark, when you feel weak, when you face temptation, or when despair looms, remember: you are not fighting alone. Call upon Jesus, the Mighty God, and let Him be your strength.
Because He overcame sin, you are forgiven. Because He rose, you have eternal hope. And because He is El Gibbor, nothing—not in this realm or the unseen—can separate you from His love.
This Christmas, look beyond the ornament of the word "mighty." Look to the Savior who is truly El Gibbor, the victorious warrior, whose great love is now resident in your heart.
Based on the sermon "The Savior We Welcome: Mighty God" from First Presbyterian Church of Bakerstown, December 8, 2025.
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