Benevolent Dictator: Mighty God

We currently see the rise of the “strong man” in many parts of the world. This is a ruler who plots to gain complete authority, either through brute force, political manipulation, the weakening of governmental structures, such as the undermining of the judiciary, or a combination of all of the above, along with the silencing of critics, particularly the press. The pattern is consistent and not subtle. And despite the terrible consequences that have historically followed such accretions of power, there are still people who hail the strong man’s rise. Blinded by self-interest, motivated by fear, or fatigued by societal problems, the hope is that the man, by possessing complete control, will straighten things out. Alas, it never goes well, does it?

But there might be something in the desire for a strong man that reflects human longing on some deeper level. If we are part of a creation that exists of, through, and for God, then there is likely something within us that yearns to have someone take over and put an end to all the tumult. If we examine Scripture, we discover that that is indeed where history is headed. There is coming the ultimate strong man, a king who has all authority and possess divine power: 

For to us a child is born,

to us a son is given;

and the government shall be upon his shoulder,

and his name shall be called . . .

Mighty God . . .

What would possessing divine power allow a king to do? I would suggest three things: he would be able to subdue all enemies, completely carry out his will, and withstand all assaults. Can we discover those capacities in Jesus’ ministry? Mindful that his name means Savior, and that he is also called Immanuel, God with us, we should look for the power to be present as he accomplishes his primary task, to save his people from their sins. His declarations in John 10 show unfettered capacity to carry out his will: “I lay down my life for the sheep. And I have other sheep that are not of this fold. I must bring them also, and they will listen to my voice . . . I lay down my life that I may take it up again. No one takes it from me, but I lay it down of my own accord.” In Luke 18, Jesus warns that he will be assaulted, but not overcome: “the Son of Man . . . will be delivered over to the Gentiles and will be mocked and shamefully treated and spit upon. And after flogging him, they will kill him, and on the third day he will rise.” Lastly, in Acts 2, we are confronted with his ability to subdue those who plotted against him, bringing them into his fold: “Let all the house of Israel therefore know for certain that God has made him both Lord and Christ, this Jesus whom you crucified . . . Now when they heard this they were cut to the heart . . . and there were added that day about three thousand souls.” 

While among fallen humanity, the rise of the strong man is something to be feared, in the Kingdom it is something to be longed for. God’s Strong Man came as the promised child, bringing salvation. He returns to establish a rule of justice and righteousness. Tumult will, indeed, cease. Let us hail his rise this Advent season!

Advent 2014: And He Shall Be Called . . . Jesus

The name of Jesus is an ordinary name. It was in wide use during the first century AD. To the Christian, however, it is an extraordinary name. It means “Yahweh saves.” It is the name that the angel told Joseph he should name the child that would be born to Mary, his betrothed: “. . . you shall call his name Jesus, for he will save his people from their sins.” Jesus is an extraordinary name for it has within it the problem that plagues humanity, the purpose for which Jesus was sent, and the promise that his purpose would be fulfilled.

All people are plagued by the same problem, they are sinners. This is because all human beings have inherited the penchant for defining their existence apart from God. This makes all human beings, in one way or the other, idolators, and idolatry is the root of sin. Idolatry places all human beings under the judgment of God. No one, therefore, escapes the need of a savior; and Jesus came to save his people from their sins.

The merciful reality is that the baby to be born will be named Jesus on purpose. Through his life, death, and resurrection he would accomplish all that was necessary to save his people from the consequences of their idolatry. He would take upon himself our need to fulfill all righteousness, and he would take upon himself the penalty due for our having not fulfilled all righteousness. He is, therefore, aptly named Jesus, “Yahweh saves,” for the purpose for which his heavenly Father sent him was to save his people from their sins.

Lastly, the name of Jesus holds within it a promise. The angel speaks with certainty of the completion of the purpose for which Jesus in named: “you shall call his name Jesus, for he will save his people from their sins.” Read that statement again. He does not say, “may save,” or “might save,” or “possibly save.” He says Jesus “will save.” The angel can speak with confidence because what is unfolding in the lives of Joseph and Mary is a plan of salvation that was established in the will of God before the universe was even created (see Ephesians 1:3-14).

The name of Jesus is an extraordinary name. Indeed, it is “the name that is above every name,” and the only name “under heaven given among men by which we must be saved” (Philippians 2:9; Acts 4:12).