The Son of Man Revealed
In the Gospels and Nazarene Writings, people address Yeshua of Nazareth by various titles: “Teacher”, “Rabbi”, “Lord”, “Savior” and “Son of God”. But the title that Yeshua often used to refer to himself was “Son of Man”.
In this post we will look for the reasons why He would present himself as the Son of Man, what does it mean to be the son of man and how this title perfectly aligns with prophesies about his arrival and his return.
Son of Man
The Hebrew expression “son of man” (בן – אדם i.e. ben-‘adam) appears 107 times in the Hebrew Scriptures and more than 80 times in the Nazarene Scriptures. Most of the time Yeshua was referring to himself.
“The Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve and to give his life as a reward for some”
Mark 10:45
Why did he speak that way instead of just saying “I”? To understand this title, we need to revisit the Hebrew/Aramaic spoken by Yeshua and the specific contextual purpose.
A Powerful Mere Mortal
In Hebrew, “Son of Man” is Ben Adam בן אדם which, in a real sense, means “Son of Adam”. Many of the Hebrew prophets in the Hebrew Scriptures alluded to themselves in this way. This was a modest method to emphasize their own mortality.
The main point to understand is that although the prophet had dreams and a special relationship with the God of Abraham and ordinary people did not, the prophet understood that he remained a typical mortal human being. However, in the case of Yeshua there was another explanation for the use of this title.
“I kept watching the night visions,
when I saw, coming with the clouds of heaven,
someone like a son of man.
He approached the Ancient One
and was led into his presence.
To him was given rulership,
glory and a kingdom,
so that all peoples, nations and languages
should serve him.
His rulership is an eternal rulership
that will not pass away;
and his kingdom is one
that will never be destroyed.”
Daniel 7:13-14
The Purpose
Yeshua's Original words were a mystery to some and a clarification to others.
This way of referring to himself was unusual and the Roman authorities didn’t understand it. However, for the Hebrews who listened to Yeshua, it made a lot of sense because they knew what the prophet Daniel had said:
“For the Son of Man came to save the lost.”
Matthew 18:11
The original Hebrew words for “human being” and “Son of Man” are the same – Ben-Adam. By becoming flesh and living among us, He revealed himself as a divine and messianic person.
Calling himself the Son of Man allowed people familiar with the characteristics of the upcoming Messiah (Daniel 7:13-14 above) to understand that He had arrived. In this way, he was avoiding problems with the Roman authorities who didn’t understand the Hebrew Scriptures and at the same time he was revealing himself as the Messiah of Israel.
The Expression
This is a Hebrew and Aramaic expression used in Hebrew Scriptures. For Christians it means Son of God and for Jews it means Son of Man. This distinction is important because most of the time Yeshua was speaking in Aramaic, and in Aramaic the term “Son of Man” does not contain a mystical or Messianic aspect to it, but rather it refers to the humanity of a person or a people.
What Did Yeshua Do?
Yeshua walks on water, his followers are amazed and say:
“…You really are God’s son!”
Matthew 14:33
After all that time living day-to-day with Yeshua, they appear surprised that he was capable to submit the weather to his will. This points to his total humanity and unmeasurable power. Why does it matter so much?
The Capacity to be Both
To give us a real example of how to live live, Yeshua had to be completely human. Otherwise, dying on the cross would have been an act. Yeshua, made certain that all that knew Him knew that he was the Son of Man with all of the weakness and frailties that come with the human body. But, he also exemplified the glory of the living Elohim so we could be saved.
An example of this is registered during his temptation in the desert. After 40 days and 40 nights without food, he was hungry. Then he was tempted. His example to us was to resist the devil with the holy words of the Father.
“Is written…”
Matthew 4:1-11
100% God & Man
Yeshua made it clear that he and the Father are One. He also made it clear his divinity. I think it is important to clarify this point. For there are many who mistakenly understand his humanity OR his divinity, when in fact, only when you accept him as BOTH you know him.
Yeshua said to them, “Yes, indeed! Before Abraham came into being, I AM!”
John 8:58
In his days Judah will be saved,
Israel will live in safety,
and the name given to him will be
Adonai Tzidkenu [Adonai our righteousness].
Jeremiah 23:6
Going Deeper
As a 100% man and 100% God he did the impossible for each one of us. We were lost and he showed us the way. We were in debt and separated and he showed us his redeeming love.
“For the Son of man is come to save that which was lost”
Matthew 18:11
“Behold, we are going up to Jerusalem, and all things that are written by the prophets concerning the Son of man will be accomplished. For He will be delivered to the Gentiles and will be mocked and insulted and spit upon. They will scourge Him and kill Him. And the third day He will rise again. ”
Luke 18:31-34, Mark 10:32-34, Matthew 20:17-19
The promise of the Messiah’s arrival has already been fulfilled. Now, we expect the fulfillment of the second part, which is, the return and the establishment of his kingdom on Earth.
“For the Son of Man is going to come in his Father’s glory with his angels, and then he will reward each person according to what they have done.”
Matthew 16:27-28
Those who are ashamed of me and of my words in this adulterous and sinful generation, of them the Son of Man will also be ashamed when he comes in the glory of his Father with the holy angels. ’
Mark 8:38-9:1
“Then will appear the sign of the Son of Man in heaven. And then all the peoples of the earth[a] will mourn when they see the Son of Man coming on the clouds of heaven, with power and great glory.
Matthew 24:30
He also showed us what’s coming next…
Conclusion
Yeshua, completely divine and completely human, gave us the ultimate example of humility and submission to the Father as well as his complete control over the elements, nature and everything else. He also gave us a promise…
“When the Son of Man comes in his glory, and all the angels with him, he will sit on his glorious throne. All the nations will be gathered before him, and he will separate the people one from another as a shepherd separates the sheep from the goats.
Matthew 25:31-32
Are you ready?
Shalom!
Rabbi Douglas