Why Jesus Called Himself the Son of Man

Summary

In this script, Tim and Jon explore the biblical concept of 'The Son of Man,' a title Jesus used for himself, which originates from a prophetic vision in the book of Daniel. They discuss the symbolism of beasts representing oppressive, prideful rulers and humanity’s struggle with evil. Jesus, seen as the true 'Son of Man,' overcomes the beast by embracing humility, sacrifice, and love, offering a path for humans to rule the world as God’s partners through service. The script highlights the paradox of ruling by dying, and how Jesus' life empowers a new humanity to confront evil.

Takeaways

• 😀 Jesus is often called 'The Christ' or 'The Messiah' in the New Testament, but he rarely uses these titles for himself, instead calling himself the 'Son of Man'.
• 😀 The title 'Son of Man' originates from the book of Daniel in the Old Testament, where Daniel envisions a human figure overcoming beasts (symbolizing prideful kings and empires).
• 😀 Daniel's vision involves four terrifying beasts, representing violent and destructive human rulers, which symbolize the beastly nature of humanity's sin.
• 😀 Humans are created alongside animals but are called to a higher role as God's image-bearers, meant to rule as kings and queens, yet they fall prey to sin (represented as a beast).
• 😀 God promises that one day, a human will be born who will not succumb to the beastly nature but will overcome it, restoring the lost partnership between humans and God.
• 😀 In the story of Cain and Abel, Cain gives in to the 'beastly urge' of sin and kills his brother, highlighting the destructive power of sin in humanity.
• 😀 The city of Babylon is an example of a civilization built on pride and violence, acting in a beastly manner, which connects with Daniel's prophetic vision.
• 😀 Daniel's vision reveals a divine courtroom where God condemns the beasts to destruction, and a human figure, 'The Son of Man', comes to sit on God's throne and rule.
• 😀 The 'Son of Man' in Daniel's vision represents the human figure who can restore the partnership between God and humanity, with all people worshiping and serving this figure.
• 😀 Jesus claimed the title 'Son of Man' to identify himself as the fulfillment of this prophecy, positioning himself as the human who would confront and overcome the beast.
• 😀 Jesus ruled the beast not through power, but by giving up his life on the cross, where he exposed the nature of evil and overcame it through love, offering a new way for humanity to rule as God's partners.

Q & A

Why is the title 'The Christ' or 'The Messiah' significant in the New Testament?

The title 'The Christ' or 'The Messiah' is significant because it refers to the expected deliverer or savior of Israel. It is the most common title used to describe Jesus, signifying his role as the anointed one, fulfilling the messianic prophecies.

Why did Jesus mostly refer to himself as 'The Son of Man' instead of 'The Christ'?

Jesus referred to himself as 'The Son of Man' because this title connects to the prophetic figure from the book of Daniel, who would overcome the beastly forces of evil and reign with God. This title emphasizes his humanity and mission to defeat evil, rather than focusing on the popular expectation of the Messiah.

What does the phrase 'Son of Man' mean in the context of the book of Daniel?

In Daniel, 'The Son of Man' refers to a human figure who will come to God’s throne, overcome the beasts representing corrupt empires, and reign with God. This title symbolizes a human being who will fulfill the divine plan to restore humanity's partnership with God.

What is the significance of the beasts in Daniel's dream?

The beasts in Daniel's dream represent violent and prideful kings and empires. They symbolize the dark side of human nature and the destructive forces of unchecked power. The dream highlights humanity’s tendency to behave like animals, embodying evil and corruption.

How do the beasts in Daniel’s dream relate to the biblical theme of humans behaving like animals?

The beasts in Daniel’s dream reflect the biblical theme that humans, although created in God’s image, often succumb to evil, acting in ways that are more beastly than human. This is a continuation of the story from the Garden of Eden, where humanity was deceived into rejecting their divine purpose.

What promise does God make in the Garden of Eden regarding humanity’s future?

In the Garden of Eden, after the fall, God promises that one day a human will be born who will overcome the beastly nature of sin, instead of succumbing to it. This human will defeat evil and restore humanity’s partnership with God.

What role does Cain play in demonstrating humanity’s fall into beastly behavior?

Cain demonstrates humanity’s fall into beastly behavior through his jealousy and anger toward his brother Abel. Despite being warned about the beastly nature of sin, Cain gives in to his anger and kills Abel, symbolizing humanity’s susceptibility to violence and evil.

How does Daniel’s vision connect to the hope of a restored human partnership with God?

Daniel’s vision of 'The Son of Man' riding on a cloud and taking his place on the divine throne represents the fulfillment of God’s promise. This human figure will restore the lost partnership between humanity and God, ruling the world in justice and peace, alongside God.

Why is Jesus’ use of the title 'Son of Man' significant in his mission?

Jesus’ use of the title 'Son of Man' is significant because it identifies him as the fulfillment of Daniel’s prophecy. Jesus is claiming to be the human who will confront and overcome the evil forces symbolized by the beasts, and restore humanity’s true purpose to rule with God.

How does Jesus' death on the cross serve as his exaltation and victory over the beast?

Jesus’ death on the cross, though appearing to be a defeat, was actually his victory over the beast. By allowing evil to do its worst, Jesus exposed the true nature of sin and overcame it through his divine life and love. His crucifixion became the means by which he triumphed over the forces of evil.