The phrase “Son of Man” comes originally from Daniel’s vision in the seventh chapter of his book in the Old Testament. Daniel sees someone, clearly a divine figure, “like the son of man” who comes in the clouds of heaven and approaches the throne of God, where he is given power and authority and the kingdom.
He then gives what he has received to his people, who have been suffering terrible oppression.
While Jesus was on earth, the “Son of Man” was the favourite name he used to refer to himself. The term, Son of man, is used by Jesus 80 times as a way to refer to himself but in all these references, Jesus is the speaker; no one ever addresses him as Son of man.
As he did so, the people could not have helped thinking about Daniel’s prophecy.
Two notable examples of are found in Matthew 8:20 “And Jesus said to him, ‘Foxes have holes, and birds of the air have nests, but the Son of Man has nowhere to lay his head.’” And in Matthew 20:28 “… even as the Son of Man came not to be served but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.”
Jesus was claiming he was the one who would receive the kingdom and save his people. The designation Son of Man means, for Jesus, both that he is human as we are, a son of Adam, and that he is the coming Messiah, who has been given authority by the Most High and reigns over his kingdom through his weakness, seen most clearly at the cross.
What are the implications of the title Son of Man for us? It is clearly seen in Matthew 20:26-27 “whoever wants to be first must be your slave - just as the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.”
Thank You Jesus, that you became human, in every sense and every way, to identify Yourself with me, even in my weakness and frailty. Thank You Lord, that You’re not far away, looking down upon me from Your perfect holiness, but that You came close to me, alongside me. What grace! Thank You Jesus! Amen
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