The son of man
Throughout the gospels Jesus tells us who exactly who he is. He tells us that he is the ‘Son of Man’ and he is the only one to use this title for himself this throughout the entire gospel. But for us to fully understand the meaning of this title we need to look at scripture for help.
Firstly, Jesus uses the title ‘Son of man’ to refer to his humanity,
Psalm 8:4 KJV
What is man, that thou art mindful of him? And the son of man, that thou visitest him?
But the meaning of this title become much more specific in Daniel 7, as here Daniel describes a superhuman figure who functions along side the ‘Ancient of Days’
Daniel 7:13b-14 KJV
behold, one like the Son of man came with the clouds of heaven, and came to the Ancient of days, and they brought him near before him. And there was given him dominion, and glory, and a kingdom, that all people, nations, and languages, should serve him: his dominion is an everlasting dominion, which shall not pass away, and his kingdom that which shall not be destroyed.
Clearly the ‘Son of man’ that Daniel foresees is different from all others, ‘he comes on the clouds of heaven’, his reign is over all peoples, and his kingdom shall not be destroyed! Daniel’s Son of Man is identified with God as he is the promised son-king, who because he is both God and human will bring reconciliation between God and humanity restoring our fallen relationship with the Almighty.
Looking at the gospels we see Jesus uses this title in his humility as a man to save the lost,
Matthew 8:20 KJV
And Jesus saith unto him, The foxes have holes, and the birds of the air have nests; but the Son of man hath not where to lay his head.
We see that He uses it in his divine authority to forgive sins in Mark 2:10NIV
But I want you to know that the Son of Man has authority on earth to forgive sins.”
He uses it in his divine authority to raise the dead Matt 17:9b NIV
Jesus instructed them, “Don’t tell anyone what you have seen, until the Son of Man has been raised from the dead.”
And we see it again in his resurrected ascension to the throne of heaven in Matt19:28 NIV
Jesus said to them, “Truly I tell you, at the renewal of all things, when the Son of Man sits on his glorious throne, you who have followed me will also sit on twelve thrones, judging the twelve tribes of Israel.
And in his foretelling of his future return as the King of Heaven in Matt 24:30NIV
“Then will appear the sign of the Son of Man in heaven. And then all the peoples of the earth will mourn when they see the Son of Man coming on the clouds of heaven, with power and great glory.
Jesus, the Son of man, follow him, for he is God!
Have a great week, and God bless,
Trev.