Son of Man: There are many references in the Hebrew Bible (Old Testament) to the “son of man.” It is used as a synonym for “man.” The book of Daniel refers to the Son of Man as a coming king. This king will reign in a kingdom established by God and will have full authority.
Jesus often refers to Himself as the Son of Man in the New Testament, one who will rule through His own weakness, having to suffer and die, only to be raised on the third day putting an eternal end to sin and evil.
When He comes again, the Son of Man will destroy all of His enemies and will take His rightful place as King of Creation.
Daniel’s teaches us through his visions
The Prophet Daniel was given a vision.
“In my vision at night I looked, and there before me was one like a son of man , coming with the clouds of heaven. He approached the Ancient of Days and was led into his presence.
He was given authority, glory and sovereign power; all peoples, nations and men of every language worshiped him. His dominion is an everlasting dominion that will not pass away, and his kingdom is one that will never be destroyed. (Daniel 7:13-14)
Jesus is a descent of Adam and God at the same time
Jesus often referred to Himself as the “Son of Man,” but just what does that mean? In short, it means that Jesus reminds us that He is fully human, a descendant of Adam, but at the same time, that He is the promised Messiah, the one who has been sent by God.
There are, of course, instances where He does identify Himself as Messiah, but it was equally as important for Him to be fully human. Jesus would be the forever replacement as the High Priest of Israel.
Therefore, since we have a great high priest who has gone through the heavens, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold firmly to the faith we profess. For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but we have one who has been tempted in every way, just as we are — yet was without sin.
16 Let us then approach the throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need. (Hebrews 4:14-16)
Jesus gives us a human connection to God
God’s greatest gift to us is making His son into a man. It gives us a human connection to God and that gives us the ability to relate to Him. Jesus experienced all of the human conditions, the trials and tribulations, the common cold, hunger. Additionally He experienced homelessness and the temptations of sin.
What is man that you are mindful of him, and the son of man that you care for him? Yet you have made him a little lower than the heavenly beings and crowned him with glory and honor. You have given him dominion over the works of your hands; you have put all things under his feet. (Psalm 8:4)
Jesus came because of His love for us
Jesus, the man, was made a “little lower than the angels”
Yet at present we do not see everything subject to him. But we see Jesus, who was made a little lower than the angels , now crowned with glory and honor because he suffered death, so that by the grace of God he might taste death for everyone. (Hebrews 2:9)
Jesus intercedes with God for us
To be our ransom, Jesus had to stoop to our level in order to make propitiation for us. Sin entered into the world through man, so man could not overcome it.
Jesus, God with us, was sent to do just that. The Son of God became the Son of Man in order to accomplish that end. Through His death on the cross, Christ received His kingdom.
Jesus is still opposed. The world, in large part, has not bowed to His authority. There is still more to come. His kingship will be achieved in stages.
Jesus was born a King
He was born a king, the promised son of David. His authority was demonstrated in His earthly ministry, through signs and wonders and even the raising of the dead. His own death, resurrection and ascension into heaven was witnessed. But the world still resists Him, even violently. His kingdom has been established, but has not yet taken full flower.
Someone has to pay for our sins
When man sinned, he forfeited his right to rule over God’s creation. Man could not save himself, but man needed to be redeemed by man, someone to pay the full penalty. The Messiah, the Son of Man, God with us, was the solution to an impossible problem.
Jesus overcame death
Jesus overcame the grave. He overcame darkness. In Jesus there is only light, the glory of God.
Who, being in very nature God, did not consider equality with God something to be grasped, but made himself nothing, taking the very nature of a servant, being made in human likeness. And being found in appearance as a man, he humbled himself and became obedient to death — even death on a cross!
Therefore God exalted him to the highest place and gave him the name that is above every name, that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father. (Philipians2:6-11)
The Son of Man, God with us. Jesus was and is God’s greatest gift to the world!