to us a son is given,
and the government will be on his shoulders.
And he will be called
Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God,
Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. (Isaiah 9:6)
In the second name Isaiah gives to the Messiah in his prophecy, God is making clear that this coming King will be God Himself. Indeed, the Jesus of Scripture bears this out. He is a healer, a miracle worker. But what's more, He is Mighty.
Sometimes, I try to imagine myself in the shoes of the Disciples, getting to know this man Jesus as, through the course of His ministry, he reveals more and more of His true nature. I imagine myself in a fishing boat, the tiny vessel being buffeted by water and heavy winds as the sound picks up to a frightening howl. Huddled and waiting for the rain, when a figure reveals itself in the distance, walking upon the angry waves.
I imagine I, like the disciples, would be afraid. A ghost! A spirit traversing the waters, coming for us!
And then His voice: “Take courage! It is I. Don’t be afraid.”
Peter, so relieved to hear his Master's voice, he just wants to run across the lake himself just to be nearer to the One who so boldly has stepped into the maelstrom. And when Jesus finally reaches the boat, to watch the winds immediately cease, to stand in awe of His presence, as His nature is finally revealed, and say with his Disciples, “Truly you are the Son of God.” (Matthew 14:22-33)
That is our Messiah: a God who can brave the depth of the sea and the roar of the wind, because He has total control over both. Who can whisper a word and calm a raging storm. Who stared down even Death, and walked away Victorious.
Are our own problems and struggles so great, when we match them against Him, who is called Mighty God?
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