The Lord Jesus called Himself “the Son of Man,” and the Jewish men who were listening asked what He meant. They said the law, meaning the scriptures, said that the Christ when He came would always “abide” (live always). They asked Him, “How sayest Thou, the Son of Man must be lifted up (die on a cross)?” They said, “Who is this Son of Man?”
It is not told that the Lord Jesus answered their question. He had already shown them wonders which no other could do. He had told them God’s words, and of His love. He had told them that He came from God, and was the Son of God, and had offered them blessing.
A Light in the Dark
He knew they did not believe His words, and that their reason for asking was to try to show that He could not be the Christ. But He said to them, “Yet a little while is the light with you. Walk while ye have the light.”
He had come to be a light to men, and there was still time for them to see, if they would believe. To keep on in unbelief was to be in darkness. He walked away from those men and there are very sad words written of them: “Though He had done so many miracles before them, yet they believed not on Him.”
The scriptures those men talked of told of the Holy One to come as a man. He was to be of the family of King David, called the “seed of David”, but also called “the root” and David’s “Lord.” He must be a man, but a perfect and holy man, who would be Lord of all.
The same prophet had written of the Holy Child to be born, showing He would be a perfect child on earth, yet also as God (See Isa. 7:14; 9:6-714Therefore the Lord himself shall give you a sign; Behold, a virgin shall conceive, and bear a son, and shall call his name Immanuel. (Isaiah 7:14)
6For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given: and the government shall be upon his shoulder: and his name shall be called Wonderful, Counsellor, The mighty God, The everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace. 7Of the increase of his government and peace there shall be no end, upon the throne of David, and upon his kingdom, to order it, and to establish it with judgment and with justice from henceforth even for ever. The zeal of the Lord of hosts will perform this. (Isaiah 9:6‑7)).
Son of Man
“The Son of Man” was a lowly title for One from Heaven, yet the one the Lord Jesus Himself most often used, so we are to think of His meaning. He, the Son of God, left the glory of Heaven to take the form of man on earth. He was a holy child and lived a perfect man while here.
The word “son” means the heir, as a son has the right to the name and position of a family. When God created man He had desires and plans for blessing, but He could not fulfill them because all sinned. The Son of God became a man that He could give His life to atone for sin. He, the one perfect man, could be accepted. It is as “Son of Man” that He is to have glory, because as man He was “lifted up” in the shameful death for a man. Because He was perfect, He is heir of all God’s blessings for man. He is to share these blessings with those who believe in Him.
Further Meditation:
1. What rights belong to a son?
2. The title of the “Son of Man” shows an immense dignity and responsibility placed in the hands of Jesus Christ. What other verses mention these responsibilities?
3. There is a nice little article on the “Son of Man” in the Concise Bible Dictionary by G. Morrish.