The Son of Man

Again the high priest asked Him, saying to Him, "Are You the Christ, the Son of the Blessed?" Jesus said, "I am. And you will see the Son of Man sitting at the right hand of the Power, and coming with the clouds of heaven." Then the high priest tore his clothes and said, "... You have heard the blasphemy! What do you think?" And they all condemned Him to be deserving of death. (Mark 14:61-64 NKJV)

See to it that no one enslaves you through philosophy and empty deceit according to human tradition, according to the basic principles of the world, and not according to Christ. For in him the whole fullness of God lives in bodily form. (Colossians 2:8-9 ISV)

An angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream and said, "Joseph son of David, do not be afraid to take Mary home as your wife, because what is conceived in her is from the Holy Spirit. She will give birth to a son, and you are to give him the name Jesus, because he will save his people from their sins." All this took place to fulfill what the Lord had said through the prophet: "The virgin will be with child and will give birth to a son, and they will call him Immanuel"—which means, "God with us." (Matthew 1:20-23 NIV)

We are human, and distinguish Jesus with the title, "Son of God." He is God, and distinguishes Himself with the title, "The Son of Man." Were He not first God, He would not need to make such distinction. It is as if the fullness of God is so evident that Jesus convinces us of His humanity.

The celebration of Jesus' birth (whatever month it actually occurred) is acknowledgment of Him as Immanuel—God with us, as Son of Man—to do what no man had any hope to do: save His people from their sins. If we believe He is anything less than the eternal God come to earth clothed in human flesh, we are enslaved to empty deceit.

When Jesus stood on trial before the high priest, He was condemned to death that the circumstances of His birth might be refuted. The crux of the case against Him was His claim to deity. Each of us must likewise judge: Is The Son of Man indeed "my Lord and my God"?

Almighty Infinite Father, Wonderful Merciful Savior, Counselor-Comforter-Keeper: You are the One we worship; You are the One who alone satisfies our human hearts; You are the One who alone gives the healing and grace we cannot live without. You alone are Lord and God.

Feedback invited. Post to BuildingHisBody.com "Comments" or e-mail to BuildingHisBody@gmail.com. Copyright 2008, Anne Lang Bundy