Jesus, the Son of Man
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Jesus, the Son of Man
Jesus, the Son of Man
“Man of sorrows!” what a name for the Son of God who came ruined sinners to reclaim! Hallelujah, what a Savior!”
So the wonderful hymn by Philip Bliss begins. If we fully understand the hymn, if we understand the purpose of Luke in writing his account of the Gospel, we too, would sing — Hallelujah, What a Savior!
Bliss’ song exemplifies who Christ was and why He came. And that is reiterated in the Gospel account from Luke.
For the Son of Man has come to seek and to save the lost.”
Luke
And Jesus did this. Luke’s primary focus of his Gospel account is Jesus is the Son of Man who has come to save! He came to save the Lost.
Luke, who was a physician, wrote two-volume history, along with the book of Acts, both addressed to the same man, Theophilus. His gospel account is the longest book in the New Testament and, combined with Acts, makes Luke the author of more than 1/4 of the New Testament — more than any other writer, including Paul and John. His gospel account and Acts covers more than six and half decades from the birth of John the Baptist to Paul’s first Roman imprinsonment. More than 40 percent of his Gospel account is not found in the other accounts, including 7 miracles of Christ and 17 of His parables. And yet Luke remains relatively unknown. His name only appears 3 times in the New Testament and none of them in his own writings. We only know he was a Gentile, a physician, and a beloved friend and companion to Paul.
Luke begins his gospel account unlike the other three accounts, with a compelling, serious prologue, written in polished Greek, introducing his historical account of the Son of God to his Gentile readers and the purpose for which He came.
Many have undertaken to compile a narrative about the events that have been fulfilled among us, just as the original eyewitnesses and servants of the word handed them down to us. It also seemed good to me, since I have carefully investigated everything from the very first, to write to you in an orderly sequence, most honorable Theophilus, so that you may know the certainty of the things about which you have been instructed.
I want you to notice the words of verse 4:
so that you may know the certainty of the things about which you have been instructed.
What are “the things?”
The immediate answer is “the things” concerning Jesus, the Son of Man. And these things can be divided into 4 sections:
What to believe concerning Jesus.
How to live knowing Jesus.
Why to rejoice because of Jesus.
What to Expect of Jesus.
I. What to believe concerning Jesus
I. What to believe concerning Jesus
William Hendricksen rightly said, “Apart from God’s special revelation man is living in darkness.”
The modern individual argues, “Maybe what Luke had to say was good to believe then, but we are further a long in science, morals, and life — it’s not good enough for me.” But man’s basic need as a sinner has remained the same since the Garden. And the ultimate question man faces is not only the questions of life — but the question of death — It’s the question of Job in :
But how can a person be justified before God?
Yes, I know what you’ve said is true,
but how can a person be justified before God?
And so, it’s apparent that we need exactly what Theophilus needed, what every man needs — Doctrine. We need teaching, specifically, we need teaching concerning Jesus.
Who was this Jesus?
Well, as we read from , “the Son of Man has come to seek and to save that which was lost.” The context of the statement is the story of Zacchaeus, a Jews, a tax collector. What’s amazing is the statement Christ made in verse 9.
“Today salvation has come to this house,” Jesus told him, “because he too is a son of Abraham.
He too is a son of Abraham.
What’s amazing about this statement is that Zacchaeus was of Jewish heritage. Well, of course he would be a “son of Abraham.” Isn’t that who the sons of Abraham are? Jews?!?
But Luke writes to a man named Theophilus — a Gentile! In fact! Luke was not a Jew! He was also a Gentile, a Greek, probably from Antioch, who later resided in Philippi.
So, Luke, a Gentile, writes specifically to a Gentile, Theophilus, in order to give “an orderly sequence…so that (Theophilus) may know the certainty of the things about which (he) had been instructed.”
Luke, the dearly loved physician, and Demas greet you.
and from there to Philippi, a Roman colony, which is a leading city of that district of Macedonia. We stayed in that city for a number of days.
What a man needs is Doctrine — True Doctrine concerning Jesus Christ. And this is what Luke is giving Theophilus — and Us! as we take up the book.
So that you may know
Luke gives this orderly sequence so that Theophilus “may know.” Luke’s purpose is not that Theophilus would know the certainty of the things as a history lesson, but to believe them! This is what doctrine is for. Doctrine is meant to be believed.
What was the ruler of the Synagogue told in ?
Philippians
When Jesus heard it, He answered him, “Don’t be afraid. Only believe, and she will be made well.”
“Only Believe!”
Satan’s aim is to see to it that the sinner does not believe, and as a result, to remain lost.
The seed along the path are those who have heard and then the Devil comes and takes away the word from their hearts, so that they may not believe and be saved.
What are we to believe?
We are to believe the Scriptures — to believe what God has said. Luke begins in verse 1 with “the events that have been fulfilled among us.” This refers to prophecy from God’s sent prophets. God called His prophets and gave them His word to give to His people that they may believe — to believe what He said about salvation through His Messiah, who is Jesus Christ, the Great King, the Son of God, the Son of Man. Luke ends his account in chapter 24 by repeated appeals to God’s Word — from Angels, from the Lord Jesus Himself.
What we are to do to be saved. I am to confess my sinfulness to God and implore Him for His grace, like the tax collector, standing far off and not even raising his eyes to heave, but beating his chest in — “God, turn Your wrath from me — a sinner!”
We are to believe that mercy is given to us through the work of Jesus Christ, God’s Son, who being both God and man, and completely sinless, is able to save to the uttermost all those who surrender to Him as Lord and bow before Him. This Savior was born of a human mother, Mary, and is therefore man. But this human mother was a virgin when she conceived the Lord Jesus, not by a man, but by the Holy Spirit. Therefore, Jesus is God, and without sin. And so, Luke, along with Matthew, teach the doctrine of the Virgin birth.
And so, Jesus declares that He, the Son of Man has authority as God to forgive sins. This comes out in the story Luke recounts in about the paralyzed man whom Jesus not only heals, but forgives his sins.
But so you may know that the Son of Man has authority on earth to forgive sins”—He told the paralyzed man, “I tell you: Get up, pick up your mat, and go home.”
Luke’s account of the Life of Jesus tells us what we are to believe about Jesus. He is the Son of Man who has come to take away the sins of the world.
II. How to live knowing this Jesus
II. How to live knowing this Jesus
One look at our culture would indicate we really do not know how to live. Because of the entrance of sin, man does not know how to live. We may be tempted to think that this was obvious from the beginning when Adam and Eve’s answer to their nakedness was to sew fig leaves together and make coverings for themselves. But the real indicator was that they did not believe God.
And so now, though we boast about all our accomplishments, our knowing how to live has only digressed intensely. The reason for this — Apart from God’s special revelation man will never know how to live. In his gospel account, Luke stresses a threefold knowledge of how to live by knowing — and I mean in a saving way — the Lord Jesus Christ.
Man must live Humbly before God. Read . And humility leads properly to gratitude. Read .
Man must live in Homage for God. Read . We are to live in homage before God, which is greater than all our doing.
Man must live in Helpfulness before God. Read .
All of these is a life lived like Christ who entered a world filled with divisions and barriers between men and an infinite gulf between man and God. Jesus insisted on a love that would destroy the divisions and barriers between men.
Love your enemies
27 “But I say to you who listen: Love your enemies, do what is good to those who hate you, 28 bless those who curse you, pray for those who mistreat you. 29 If anyone hits you on the cheek, offer the other also. And if anyone takes away your coat, don’t hold back your shirt either. 30 Give to everyone who asks you, and from one who takes your things, don’t ask for them back. 31 Just as you want others to do for you, do the same for them.
Luke 6:27-
Preach the Gospel to all nations
47 and repentance for forgiveness of sins would be proclaimed in His name to all the nations, beginning at Jerusalem.
Luke
And do this to the glory of God
53 And they were continually in the temple complex praising God.
Luke
But all this happens only because of God’s love for us.
Theophilus — the one to whom Luke wrote — his name literally means — Loved by God.
10 Love consists in this: not that we loved God, but that He loved us and sent His Son to be the propitiation for our sins.
1 John
This living culminates in joy.
III. Why to rejoice because of Jesus
III. Why to rejoice because of Jesus
More than any of the other gospel accounts, Luke’s book underscores the necessity and privilege of rejoicing because of Jesus. Joy sings its way through the book, much like Paul’s letter to the Philippians. And no wonder, Luke and Paul were friends.
Lukes Gospel account begins with 5 songs and ends with “great joy” and “praising God.” In the very heart and center of the book, God Himself rejoices…in the salvation of a sinner.
7 I tell you, in the same way, there will be more joy in heaven over one sinner who repents than over 99 righteous people who don’t need repentance.
Luke 15:
10 I tell you, in the same way, there is joy in the presence of God’s angels over one sinner who repents.”
Luke
23 Then bring the fattened calf and slaughter it, and let’s celebrate with a feast, 24 because this son of mine was dead and is alive again; he was lost and is found!’ So they began to celebrate.
Luke 15:23-24
Is this not beautiful?
God rejoices over every sinner He saves. This is Zephaniah’s prophesy fulfilled.
17 Yahweh your God is among you, a warrior who saves. He will rejoice over you with gladness. He will bring you quietness with His love. He will delight in you with shouts of joy.”
That is so good — isn’t it?
So, let’s review briefly. Luke, looking to give Theophilus an accurate account of things so that he would know with certainty about all the things he had been instructed concerning Jesus. And so far, we have covered:
What to believe concerning Jesus.
How to live knowing Jesus.
Why to rejoice because of Jesus.
And finally, What to Expect of Jesus.
What to Expect of Jesus.
IV. What to Expect of Jesus
IV. What to Expect of Jesus
We know from this beautiful account that Jesus is the long awaited Messiah. We can expect of Jesus — He is the Son of Man. Luke distinctly reveals the glorious prophecy of was fulfilled in Christ, and He is the promised Redeemer.
37 For I tell you, what is written must be fulfilled in Me: And He was counted among the outlaws. Yes, what is written about Me is coming to its fulfillment.”
34 [Then Jesus said, “Father, forgive them, because they do not know what they are doing.” ] And they divided His clothes and cast lots.
Luke
50 There was a good and righteous man named Joseph, a member of the Sanhedrin,
Luke
Then we see the wonderful encounter Jesus had with his two disciples in where He expounded to them all the Scriptures the things concerning Himself. We can expect from Jesus the Word to reveal who He is. How we gain so much from God’s word concerning God. Does your heart burn within you when the Scriptures are opened to you?
Finally, knowing that Jesus is the fulfillment of all the prophecies, the fulfillment of the Word of God,
6 “He is not here, but He has been resurrected! Remember how He spoke to you when He was still in Galilee, 7 saying, ‘The Son of Man must be betrayed into the hands of sinful men, be crucified, and rise on the third day’?”
Luke 24:
that He is coming again — Just as He said.
37 Those slaves the master will find alert when he comes will be blessed. I assure you: He will get ready, have them recline at the table, then come and serve them.
Luke 12:
And what a tremendous blessing that will be that He will serve us.
Luke’s purpose in writing his gospel was that his readers “may know the certainty of the things about which you have been instructed.” To that end he carefully investigated everything and wrote an orderly sequence.
In a world of confusion — how relevant is Luke!