Jesus’ favorite title for Himself was “the Son
of Man”. This title appears eighty times in the New Testament, usually with
reference to Jesus. It means, “the son of mankind”.
Why did Jesus prefer this title above all
others? What was Jesus saying about Himself when He adopted the title “the Son
of Man”? In this article, we will examine the sayings of Jesus and His
followers in an effort to see why Jesus used this title.
Jesus Was Fully Human
Matthew traces the ancestry of Jesus back to
Abraham through Joseph, the legal father of Jesus (Matthew 1:1-16). Luke traces
it back to Adam through Mary, Jesus’ birth mother (Luke 3:23-38). Luke’s
genealogy reveals that Mary was a descendant of Judah and David. Jesus’
ancestors were real people.
Who can give us the lineage of Santa Claus?
Legendary figures do not have authentic genealogies. Jesus of Nazareth was,
according to the flesh, a descendant of David.
Jesus’ Human Birth
Matthew writes, “This is how the birth of Jesus
Christ came about: His mother Mary was pledged to be married to Joseph, but
before they came together, she was found to be with child through the Holy
Spirit” (Matthew 1:18).
When Joseph learned that Mary was pregnant, he
decided to divorce her quietly. But the angel of God appeared to him in a dream
and said, “Joseph, son of David, do not be afraid to take Mary home as your
wife, because what is conceived in her is from the Holy Spirit. She will give
birth to a son, and you are to give him the name Jesus, because he will save his
people from their sins” (Matthew 1:20-21).
Jesus was conceived, not by sexual union, but
by the will of God. The God who created the universe and who filled the earth
with living creatures used his power to create a baby boy.
Late in Mary’s pregnancy, Augustus Caesar
decided to take a census throughout the Roman empire. Since Joseph and Mary
were both of the family of David, they left Nazareth and traveled to Bethlehem
to register. “While they were there, the time came for the baby to be born, and
she gave birth to her firstborn, a son. She wrapped him in cloths and placed
him in a manger, because there was no room for them in the inn” (Luke 2:6-7).
Jesus was not born in a king’s palace. He was probably
born in a stable. He was wrapped in strips of cloth and placed in a manger. His
first bed was a feeding box for animals.
Jesus’ Human Childhood
When He was eight days old, Jesus was
circumcised (Luke 2:21). When He was forty days old, Joseph and Mary took Him
to the temple for the rite of purification (Luke 2:22-24). Later, they returned
to their home in Nazareth of Galilee, and there, Jesus grew up.
Luke reports that “the child grew and became
strong; he was filled with wisdom, and the grace of God was upon him” (Luke
2:40). God filled Jesus with wisdom and gave Him a kind, gracious disposition.
As a child, Jesus was extraordinary, but He was human.
When Jesus was twelve years old, His parents
took Him to Jerusalem for the Feast of the Passover. At the end of the feast,
they joined the caravan and headed back to Nazareth. They thought Jesus was in
the company of travelers, but He had remained in Jerusalem.
His mother asked, “Son, why have you treated us
like this? Your father and I have been anxiously searching for you” (Luke
2:48). Jesus replied, “Why were you searching for me? Didn’t you know that I
had to be in my Father’s house?” (Luke 2:49). Even at a young age, Jesus
referred to God as His Father.
After this, Jesus went with them to Nazareth
and was obedient to them (Luke 2:51). “And Jesus grew in wisdom and stature,
and in favor with God and men” (Luke 2:52).
The Silent Years
There is no indication in scripture that Jesus
spent His youth in India studying at the feet of Brahman and Buddhist masters.
To the contrary, there is evidence that He stayed in Nazareth and became a
carpenter.
When Jesus began teaching in the synagogue at
Nazareth at the age of thirty, many people were amazed by his wisdom. They
asked, “What’s this wisdom that has been given him? …Isn’t this the carpenter?
Isn’t this Mary’s son, and the brother of James, Joseph, Judas, and Simon?
Aren’t his sisters here with us?” (Mark 6:2-3).
Jesus was a carpenter by profession, and His
family was well-known in the community. This implies that Jesus remained in
Nazareth during His youth and learned His father’s trade.
Other Signs of Jesus’
Humanity
Jesus experienced everything that we experience
as human beings –except sin. He was tempted by Satan (Matthew 4:1-11; Mark
1:12-13; Luke 4:1-13). He got hungry (Matthew 4:2; Matthew 21:18; Mark 11:12),
and after His resurrection, He ate some broiled fish in the presence of his
apostles (Luke 24:41b-42). He got thirsty. He asked a Samaritan woman for a
drink of water (John 4:7). On the cross, He said, “I thirst” (John19:28). He
got tired (John 4:6). He became angry when Jewish leaders turned the house of
worship into a den of thieves (Matthew 21:13). At Lazarus’ tomb, He became sad
and wept (John 11:35). Jesus was fully human. But Jesus was more than a man.
Jesus Was also Divine
The title “Son of Man” also indicates that
Jesus was divine. This title refers back to Daniel 7:13-14: “In my vision at
night I looked, and there before me was one like a Son of Man, coming with the
clouds of heaven. He approached the Ancient of Days and was led into his
presence. He was given authority, glory, and sovereign power; all peoples,
nations, and men of every language worshiped him. His dominion is an
everlasting dominion that will not pass away, and his kingdom is one that will
never be destroyed”. By using the title
“Son of Man” Jesus echoed Daniel’s prediction that God would give Him
authority, glory, and sovereign power over all peoples and nations; and men of
every language would worship Him.
When Napoleon Bonaparte was exiled on the rock
of St. Helena, he asked Count Montholon, “Can you tell me who Jesus Christ
was?” When the count hesitated, Napoleon said, “Well then, I will tell you.
Alexander, Caesar, Charlemagne, and I myself have founded great empires; but
upon what did these creations of our genius depend? Upon force. Jesus alone
founded His empire upon love, and to this very day, millions will die for him .
. . I think I understand something of human nature; and I tell you, all these
were men, and I am a man; no one else is like Him. Jesus Christ was more than a
man”.
Jesus Demonstrated His
Divine Authority
In Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John, Jesus did not
say, “I am divine”. Yet He revealed His divine identity by His words and deeds.
Notice the following:
1) In
Mark 2:1-12, four men tore a hole in the roof of the house where Jesus was
speaking, and they lowered their paralyzed friend down into the room hoping
that Jesus would heal him. When Jesus saw their faith, he said, “Son, your sins
are forgiven” (Mark 2:5).
The Jewish scholars who were sitting there
thought to themselves, “Why does this fellow talk like that? He is blaspheming!
Who can forgive sins but God alone” (Mark 2:7).
But Jesus said, “Which is easier: to say to the
paralytic, ‘Your sins are forgiven’ or to say, ‘Get up, take your mat and
walk?’ But that you may know that the Son of Man has authority on earth to
forgive sins . . . He said to the paralytic, ‘I tell you, get up, take your mat
and go home’” (Mark 2:9-11). The young man got up and walked out of the room.
Jesus proved His authority to forgive sins.
2) In
his Sermon on the Mount, Jesus repeatedly asserted His divine authority. He
said, “You have heard that it was said . . . ‘Do not murder’ (Matthew 5:21) . .
. ‘Do not commit adultery’ (Matthew 5:27) . . . ‘Do not break your oath’
(Matthew 5:33) . . . ‘Eye for eye, and tooth for tooth’ (Matthew 5:38) . . .
‘Love your neighbor and hate your enemy’” (Matthew 5:43), etc. With the
exception of the “hate your enemy” statement, these were God’s commandments,
yet Jesus added His own commandments: Do not get angry. Do not look at a woman
lustfully. Do not swear. Do not resist an evil person. Love your enemies, and
pray for those who persecute you.
Six times in the original text, Jesus said, “ego de lego” (Matthew 5:22, 28, 32, 34,
39, and 44). “Ego” means “I”, and “lego” means “I say”. Literally
translated, Jesus said, “But I, I say to you”. This double emphasis on “I” is
lost in the English translation. This implies that Jesus was asserting His
divine authority.
3) One
of the most amazing things Jesus said was, “Anyone who loves his father or
mother more than me is not worthy of me; anyone who loves his son or daughter
more than me is not worthy of me” (Matthew 10:37). Jesus was asking for love and loyalty that
exceeds our deepest affections for family. Amazingly, those who truly believe
in Him experience a supernatural love for Him. This overwhelming, supernatural
love is powerful evidence of His divinity.
Jesus’ Invitation
Brahma, the Hindu God of creation, is
preoccupied with his own interests. Gautama Buddha invites us to seek
enlightenment through meditation. Muhammad warns us to surrender to Allah or
die. By contrast, Jesus says to us, “Come to me, all you who are weary and
burdened, and I will give you rest” (Matthew 11:28).
Jesus, “the Son of Man” was both human and
divine.
