Son of Man - Round #2

The term "Son of Man" appears numerous times throughout the Bible, primarily in the New Testament, as a reference to Jesus Christ. The term has deep theological and prophetic significance. Here are several key examples:

• In the book of Daniel (7:13-14), the term "Son of Man" is used within a prophetic vision. Daniel sees in his vision, "one like a son of man" coming with the clouds of heaven. This figure is presented before God, referred to as the Ancient of Days in the passage, and is given authority, glory and sovereign power. All nations and peoples of every language worshipped him. His dominion is an everlasting dominion that will not pass away, and his kingdom is one that will never be destroyed. This prophecy is widely interpreted as a prediction of the coming Messiah, who Christians understand to be Jesus Christ.
• In the New Testament Gospels, Jesus often refers to himself as the "Son of Man". For instance, in Matthew 8:20, Jesus, responding to a scribe who declared his intention to follow Him anywhere, says, "Foxes have holes and birds of the air have nests, but the Son of Man has nowhere to lay His head." This statement illustrates Jesus's earthly ministry, marked by sacrifice and hardship.
• In Mark 10:45, Jesus describes his mission using the title: "For even the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many." This verse represents the heart of the Gospel message: Jesus, the Son of Man, came to Earth not for his own benefit, but to serve others and to offer his own life as a sacrifice to save humanity from sin.
• In the Gospel of John (3:13-14), Jesus uses the term to refer to his heavenly origin and his eventual crucifixion: "No one has ascended into heaven except he who descended from heaven, the Son of Man. And as Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, so must the Son of Man be lifted up." In this passage, Jesus prophesied his death on the cross (being "lifted up"), and his resurrection and ascension to heaven.
• During his final moments in Acts 7:56, Stephen, while being stoned to death, declares, "Behold, I see the heavens opened, and the Son of Man standing at the right hand of God." This is a powerful affirmation of the divinity of Christ, even in the face of death.
• Finally, the term is used in the book of Revelation (1:13 and 14:14) during John's prophetic vision to describe Jesus in his glorified state. These passages portray the triumphant Son of Man, who will return to judge the world and establish his eternal kingdom.

The term "Son of Man" is thus a profound designation for Jesus, rich in theological and eschatological implications. It portrays Jesus as the sacrificial servant, the heavenly originator, the future judge, and the eternal king.