Jesus said: “Who do people say the Son of Man is?” Matthew 16:13
TOPIC: Jesus often referred to himself as the Son of Man.
BACKGROUND: Jesus was in the area of Caesarea Philippi when he asked his disciples this question. Peter spoke up and said Jesus was the Christ, the Son of the living God. Cross reference Mark 8:27-30; Luke 9:18-20.
Philippians 2:7 tells us that, “He made himself nothing by taking the very nature of a servant, being made in human likeness.” As we page through the gospels we can’t help but notice that Jesus was true man. He was born as a child; grew up and learned as a youth. He became emotionally involved as a man. He ate, slept, and showed compassion. He suffered as a man and finally died as a man. In all respects, Jesus was pure human. In speaking of himself, Jesus used the terms Son of God, explaining his connection with the Father, and Son of Man, showing his human nature. Interestingly, the former was spoken less than ten times, the latter over eighty times.
This term also relates to his humility. Leaving behind the glories of heaven, he came to earth where he had “no place to lay his head.” Jesus humbled himself as a man that he might rescue all of mankind.
At his trial before the high priest Caiaphas, Jesus was asked, “Tell us if you are the Messiah, the Son of God.” “You have said so,” Jesus replied. “But I say to all of you: From now on you will see the Son of Man sitting at the right hand of the Mighty One and coming on the clouds of heaven.” (Matthew 26:64). Jesus answered, yes, and also true man.
Jesus is fully God and fully human. Truly he is deserving of both titles! One day we will rejoice with Stephen who said, “Look, I see heaven open and the Son of Man standing at the right hand of God” (Acts 7:56).
PRAYER THOUGHT: Unknown
Beautiful Savior, king of creation
Son of God and Son of Man!
Truly I’d love Thee, truly I’d serve Thee,
Light of my soul, my joy, my crown. Amen.
JOHN WRITES ABOUT JESUS: “Christ is the sacrifice that takes away our sins and the sins of all the world’s people.” 1 John 2:2 CEV
From At the Feet of Jesus by Reynold R. Kremer