I am five feet five and three quarters of an inch tall. That’s right. The good Lord didn’t even throw in a quarter of an inch so I could break the five-six barrier. To make matters worse, I played college football. Many of my teammates looked like they were made in laboratories specifically designed to produce dinosaurs who could tackle. I, however, remember stepping on the scale to weigh-in before a two-a-day football camp and my head coach shaking his head in dismay. He was fearful that a gust of wind would blow me right off the scale and into oblivion because I was so light. Suffice to say, when I show up in a room, my stature doesn’t necessarily communicate big, strong, or mighty.

Based on Scripture, it doesn’t appear Jesus’ stature was anything to write home about either. However, around 700 years before the birth of Christ—during a time when the Israelites were under Assyrian domination and needing hope—Isaiah foretells of the coming Messiah. He says that a child (Jesus) will be born, and He will be called Mighty God.

If this isn’t a reference to Jesus’ physical prowess, what does His name “Mighty God” mean? In the original Hebrew, the word mighty means “having or showing great power in authority or military leadership; heroic or valiant.” It carries the idea of strength on the battlefield. The Messiah would be powerful, heroic, and lead the armies of God. While He didn’t do so in the ways some would expect, Jesus displayed His power and authority throughout the Gospels. In Luke 24:19, Jesus is described as “a prophet who did powerful miracles, and he was a mighty teacher in the eyes of God and all the people” (NLT emphasis added).

The Isaiah prophecy declared that this Child would be mighty, but also that He would be God. He would be more than a mighty man and a good teacher; He would also be the sovereign Ruler of the universe. Theologians call this the Deity of Jesus. Paul speaks to this reality in Philippians 2:5–6 when he writes, “You must have the same attitude that Christ Jesus had. Though he was God, he did not think of equality with God as something to cling to” (NLT).

But what does Jesus’ name Mighty God have to do with you and me? This title tells us about His nature. As Mighty God, He led valiantly, exercised authority over demonic principalities, and performed miracles. He even rose from the dead—He did the impossible! And the good news is, He’s still doing it today. What miracle do you need this Christmas season? What battle bombards your thoughts? Where do you need to see Jesus show Himself as the Mighty God in your life? Whatever your current stature may be, you can be in direct communion with our Mighty God. His ability to answer prayers and make the impossible possible are still His specialty. Let’s ask Him to be mighty in our lives today!