The Son of Man

Read 27-36 & 42-43

Who is the Son of Man?

How often have you heard of Jesus referred to as the Son of Man? What exactly does this mean? We see Jesus referred to by this title a total of 88 times in the New Testament. This title can be traced back to Daniel 7:13-14

Daniel 7:13–14 ESV

“I saw in the night visions, and behold, with the clouds of heaven there came one like a son of man, and he came to the Ancient of Days and was presented before him. And to him was given dominion and glory and a kingdom, that all peoples, nations, and languages should serve him; his dominion is an everlasting dominion, which shall not pass away, and his kingdom one that shall not be destroyed.

This passage foretells of Christ coming. So Christ going by this title showed the fulfillment of prophecy. Again context is so vital.

Also their are some other reasons for this title.

Emphasis the humanity of Christ. Jesus is fully God and fully man. Being called Son of Man helps us remember he has experienced what we went through on a human level. He is able to fully empathize withe the human state. Jesus did not have to choose to empathize with us but he chose to do so. We are difficult but Jesus took 33 years to look at things from our view, we can take time to understand people.

To be a good witness to people, try to look at the world from their point of view.

Shows the supreme example of what God intended for man to be. We today are not how God intended us to be. The Adamic curse shattered the mirror. We do not reflect God’s glory to the fullest like we were intended to. Also I would argue the Noahic curse further crushed the mirror. But Jesus lived a perfect life and reflects God’s image in the way. As Christians we should strive to live the life exemplified by Christ in the Gospels.

Our lives need to reflect the life of Christ.

Emphasis Christ’s humility. Chris could have referred to Himself by so many titles, but he chose Son of Man rather than King of Heaven, Son of God, God, etc. He chose to have his identity tied to man. He chose to live a lowly life. He chose to be born to Mary. He chose to most closely identify with those who would kill him.

Son of Man is the title Jesus refers to Himself the most as and ties Him to Old Testament Passages.

Son of Man Came to Die

“This hour” is mentioned several times.

“Save me from this hour?” is referencing to the crucifixion coming up Jesus was to the week where he would face a gruesome death. This would not be the first time he would make a comment along these lines. Their was nothing pleasant about what was coming. Jesus knew what he was going to go through. And being fully human he felt the reluctance any of us would have faced in this situation. Does God only allow us to go through good times? Or does he have a mixture of good and bad times he knows we will go through? God intends for us to go through dark times. he does not call us to go into isolation like a monk. V. 28 holds the answer to why we go through bad things. For God’s glory. When I think about having a witness and bad times Job 1:9-11

Job 1:9–11 ESV

Then Satan answered the Lord and said, “Does Job fear God for no reason? Have you not put a hedge around him and his house and all that he has, on every side? You have blessed the work of his hands, and his possessions have increased in the land. But stretch out your hand and touch all that he has, and he will curse you to your face.”

The tough times gives us a greater chance to be a witness. Trials make our platform stronger. God uses them for great things. What good did God bring out of good Friday? Redemption. Their was a greater beauty/picture to the pain.

Don’t let pain blind you from the greater works of God going on.

Jesus could have said no to the pain, Jesus could have complained and lost opportunities to point people to the Gospel. But Jesus beared the pain for our sake.

As we think about this hour. God made no mistake when he chose the time for Christ to enter the world. their was no mistake in the choosing of his death time. it was all in God’s timing. God knew how it would work best. God knows the timing of our lives, and has a purpose in all that he does.

2 Corinthians 6:2 ESV

For he says, “In a favorable time I listened to you, and in a day of salvation I have helped you.” Behold, now is the favorable time; behold, now is the day of salvation.

God has you hear now hearing the gospel. Light is now shining. You don’t know when that will end. If you are not saved, call out now for salvation. You don’t know when the light will go out.

Fear Hinders Us From Responding to God’s Timing

In the end don’t be like the people seen in verse 42. Many believed Jesus to be who he said he was but would not confess him as Lord out of fear of man. How silly does that sound, but yet it is still true today as it was 2,000 years ago. Such a small view of life, a temporary view.

They feared loosing reputation more than God. They begin to wander what so and so may think. Well they may be disappointed in me because they thought I was a good Christian. They may not want to hang with me because they don’t dig that Jesus stuff. Who cares what people think. Live by the words of Proverbs 3:5-6

Proverbs 3:5–6 ESV

Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make straight your paths.

Life will be full of changes but you will be blessed and your life will be more fulfilling.

They trusted the seen more then the unseen. I understand that it take a lot of faith believing in something you cannot necessarily see with your eyes. John 20:29

John 20:29 ESV

Jesus said to him, “Have you believed because you have seen me? Blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed.”

We see evidence of God. In His word, in creation, in our lives. You believe in the wind?

Fear of people’s opinions is a dangerous weapon of the devil’s.

The Son of Man wants to walk into your life, will you let him?