Unto Us - Part 2
Isaiah 9: 6 For unto us a child is born. Unto us, a Son is given. The government will be on His shoulders. He will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Eternal Father, and Prince of Peace.
What do you feel when you hear the roar of a lion? Does it excite or scare you? Maybe you feel a little of both. The lion, one of the most ferocious animals in the animal kingdom, is often used in stories to symbolize power. I recall one scene from a beloved Disney movie, the Lion King. Mufasa rescues his cubs from some mangy hyenas with a simple, yet powerful roar. Another bone shaking scene comes from Chronicles of Narnia: The Lion, Witch, and the Wardrobe. It's the part where the White Witch confronts Asland about his deal and she questions his authority. Asland's roar, so intense, the witch can't help but step back and sit.
Our God, Maker of the universe, Master of the skies, King of creation, including lions, is described as Mighty the verse above. In other words, he is tough, powerful, dominant, and strong. This causes me to pause for a moment. In the verse from Isaiah, the prophet was actually talking about Jesus. The same Jesus that came as a tiny human in a manger to parents who weren't even royalty.
This is not what I picture upon hearing Mighty. But I think something more is revealed through the scripture. Maybe what I, you, we, do so often, is put God into a box. We confine Him to our own understanding.
In contrast to Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God seems to compliment and also cause conflict within our human understanding. The helper, advocate, counselor is also ferocious, tough, and Mighty. Despite my understanding, God cannot be contained. Not in any form, unless He chooses. His power can calm the seas with a single word (or roar) and at the same time, He delights me with whispers. He can move tectonic plates and form mountains and yet, He limits himself to a needy, helpless, newborn human. Why would He do this? It sometimes sounds complicated, but truly so simple: Love.
John 3:16 - For God so loved the world...
Eph. 1:4 - Even before He made the world, God loved us and chose us to be holy and without fault in His eyes.
What do you feel when you hear the roar of a lion? Does it excite or scare you? Maybe you feel a little of both. The lion, one of the most ferocious animals in the animal kingdom, is often used in stories to symbolize power. I recall one scene from a beloved Disney movie, the Lion King. Mufasa rescues his cubs from some mangy hyenas with a simple, yet powerful roar. Another bone shaking scene comes from Chronicles of Narnia: The Lion, Witch, and the Wardrobe. It's the part where the White Witch confronts Asland about his deal and she questions his authority. Asland's roar, so intense, the witch can't help but step back and sit.
Our God, Maker of the universe, Master of the skies, King of creation, including lions, is described as Mighty the verse above. In other words, he is tough, powerful, dominant, and strong. This causes me to pause for a moment. In the verse from Isaiah, the prophet was actually talking about Jesus. The same Jesus that came as a tiny human in a manger to parents who weren't even royalty.
This is not what I picture upon hearing Mighty. But I think something more is revealed through the scripture. Maybe what I, you, we, do so often, is put God into a box. We confine Him to our own understanding.
John 3:16 - For God so loved the world...
Psalm 106:1 - His faithful love endures.
Take a moment to reflect on His Mighty Power all around you. How is He mighty to you? How does his power speak love?
Engage your Kiddos -
Activity:
Watch the two clips from Lion King and Narnia
Lion King - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=x49NwjnwDUw
Narnia - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zgl4tqw2OKs
Read:
Psalm 104
Luke 2:6-7
Discuss:
What did you feel after watching the lion scenes?
In Psalm 105 - what words or phrases talk about God's power/might?
How can God be in the form of a baby and at the same time be Mighty?
Reiterate: Our God is a Mighty God who loves us more than we can comprehend.
Comments
Post a Comment