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S. Michael Houdmann
Supporter
Jesus is referred to as the "Son of Man" 88 times in the New Testament. A first meaning of the phrase "Son of Man" is as a reference to the prophecy of Daniel 7:13-14, "In my vision at night I look...
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Grant Abbott
Jesus used words to communicate spiritual truths in ways we could understand. He often used words to create pictures or portraits to help us understand. One of the most difficult Christian theologies for people to understand is that Jesus Christ is both God and Man. He is the only begotten SON OF GOD. But to fulfill God's plan of salvation Jesus became a SON OF MAN. Upon his resurrection and return to heaven, Jesus retained this dual identity. Jesus used the term SON OF MAN to refer to himself. He was another human being in their midst. However, his amazing teachings and miracles declared that he was no mere human, but the Messiah, the SON OF GOD come into our world to be its Savior. Jesus, used the term SON OF MAN as a key to unlock the meaning of its use in the Old Testament. It is also a key for us who have the whole bible to understand who Jesus is as both GOD and MAN. The picture painted in Daniel is of the SON OF GOD but he looks like a man. (Daniel 10:5-6) In Ezekiel chapter 1 and 2 we have a spectacular vision of heaven in which we see the entire Triune God - Father, Son and Holy Spirit. In Ezekiel 2:25-28 we have an awesome picture of the SON OF GOD but again he looks like a man. Throughout the book of Ezekiel we see glimpses of heaven and who our God is - Father, Son and Holy Spirit. God calls Ezekiel the SON OF MAN many times and sends him on a mission to turn his chosen people, Israel, back to himself. The life of Ezekiel as SON OF MAN allegorizes and foreshadows in many ways the life of Jesus as SON OF MAN. In the book of Revelation, chapter 4 we get another amazing glimpse into heaven to understand the triune God again. In Revelation chapter 5 and 14 we see Jesus, the Son of God, but now he looks like a LAMB THAT WAS SLAIN. in Revelation 19 & 20 we see Jesus, the Son of God, as the KING OF KINGS and LORD OF LORDS. But in my view, the most profound picture we have is found in the gospels. These books tell the story of Jesus, as the Son of Man. The picture they paint is of a human being just like us. Philippians 2:5-11 says that Jesus, the SON OF GOD, made himself nothing. He emptied himself of his rights and authority as the SON OF GOD and surrendered his life to the will of his Father. He only did what he saw the Father doing and he only spoke the words the Father gave him to say. He was utterly dependant on the wisdom and power of the Holy Spirit to accomplish the mission of the Father. Just like us. Jesus, the SON OF MAN, was made in human likeness and was found in appearance as a man. He took on the nature of a servant and humbled himself even to the point of death on a cross. So what was life like for Jesus as the SON OF MAN. 1. Illegitimate birth (a b__________) 2. Obscure life (virtually nothing is known of 90% of Jesus life) 3. His family rejected his ministry (did not believe until his resurrection) 4. His home town of Nazareth rejected his ministry 5. His followers were fisherman, tax collectors, zealots and other country bumpkins from the backwaters of Jewish culture 6. He was homeless, sleeping on the cold hard ground, completely dependant on handouts for food and shelter 7. He was rejected by the political and religious leaders of his country 8. His followers often did not understand his teachings even when he used practical everyday examples 9. He attracted women, sinners and other outcasts of society as his followers 10. His followers we fickle and abandoned him when his teachings were too hard or the political heat was too great 11. He was betrayed by a close friend 12. He was wrongfully accused in a kangaroo court 13. He was mocked, flogged and crucified as political expedience. Now compare these two portraits. Jesus as SON OF GOD and Jesus as SON OF MAN. Can we see what Jesus willingly gave up in order to become the Savior of the world. These contrasting pictures show us the height, depth, breadth and length of the love that Jesus has for you and me, for everyone. My response_____.
Kenneth Heck
The word 'man' in the Old Testament is a translation of 'adam'. This is not necessarily the specific person Adam, but the general name for human beings. Anyone who displayed unusual abilities might be called a son of man, in the belief that those abilities actually originated with Adam. 1Cor 15:45 "...The first man Adam was made a living soul; the last Adam was made a quickening spirit. 1 Cor 15:47 "the first man is of the earth, earthly: the second man is the Lord from heaven." Jesus was a son of Adam by the flesh, so he could claim to be the successor to the first Adam. (Only sons can succeed their fathers.) As the son of man Jesus gained the physical resurrection (John 11:25); as the son of David he gained the throne of Israel; as the son of God he gained the throne of his father in heaven.
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