WHO IS THIS SON OF MAN?

‘The crowd responded, “We understood from Scripture that the Messiah would live forever. How can you say the Son of Man will die? Just who is this Son of Man, anyway?”’ (John 12:34 NLT).

Those who called out to Jesus from the crowd were correct to assume that “Son of Man” was in fact a Messianic title. Certainly, it was the title of the exalted figure that appeared before the throne of God in the prophet Daniel’s vision in Daniel 7. So serious students of Scripture would recognize it. However, when Jesus spoke of the looming death of the Son of Man, the crowd questioned His use of the title. Was Jesus using “Son of Man” in some other context? Who is this Son of Man that he would be lifted up to die?

The crowd did well to recognize the Son of Man title as Messianic, but they overlooked the Scriptures that pointed to the Anointed One’s suffering. There are two threads of Messianic prophecy in the Old Testament. One prophetic thread portrays Him as the Righteous King who sits on David’s throne forever, while the other thread describes Him as a Suffering Servant who is a “man of sorrows,” and “wounded for our transgressions” (Isa. 53:3-5). The crowd recognized the first, but not the second. And the second actually had to precede the first. Yet, the Suffering Servant they rejected will indeed come again as the Righteous King they anticipated. Their partial knowledge led them to a total error.

Who is this Son of Man? He is Jesus, the Messiah, the Christ, the Son of God and Son of Man. He is the fulfillment of every Messianic Scripture written. He is both Suffering Servant and Eternal King.

PRAYER: Dear Father, thank You that the Son of Man was revealed to us. For we have believed in Christ Jesus and been adopted into Your family by His blood. Strengthen us with your wisdom that we might understand Your Scriptures and proclaim the light of their truth to a dark world. In Jesus’ name, amen.