A29.1 Jesus' title for himself was "The Son of Man." This title was taken from Daniel 7:13-14
I saw in the night visions, and, behold, one like the Son of man came with the clouds of heaven, and came to the Ancient of days, and they brought Him near before Him. And there was given Him dominion, and glory, and a kingdom, that all people, nations, and languages, should serve Him: His dominion is an everlasting dominion, which shall not pass away, and His kingdom that which shall not be destroyed. Daniel 7:13-14
A29.2 The title was chosen by Jesus himself and was unknown before his time, (except in the Bible). The Jews themselves had no tradition that the Messiah would have such a name.
A29.3 Jesus spoke of himself as "the Son of Man", not "a son of man". If he had referred to himself as "a son of man" he would simply have been calling himself a human being. The use of the word "the" means that the phrase is a title.
A29.4 Jesus used the singular form "Son of Man", and never used the plural form "Son of Men". "Son of Men" would have meant "having the nature of men". On the other hand "Son of Man" lifts this one man out from all other men as being the one man who has this human nature in a way in which no other man has it. Who, while he is, indeed true man, is more than man. He is also "the Son of the living God". This meaning is clear in the original text of Daniel 7:13-14 And this is how Jesus meant the title to be understood. (viz. Peter's answer to Christ's question "Whom do men say that I the Son of Man am?" Peter answered, "Thou art the Christ, the Son of the Living God." Matthew 16:13-16) This is the central point of Christian doctrine. And upon this Christ would build his Church.
A29.5 In Matthew 24:30 Jesus talked about himself as "the Son of Man coming in the clouds of heaven with power and great glory" exactly as in Daniel's description. Since God alone uses the clouds as his vehicle it is clear that the "Son of Man" is fully God, and yet also fully human!
A29.6 In Daniel 7:13, and also in Matthew 24:30 the "Son of Man" rules all people, and nations, in an everlasting kingdom, and judges the world. So by using this title Jesus denationalized his Messiahship and his Kingship and lifted it above all narrow Jewish ideas or claims. HE WAS THE REDEEMER OF ALL MEN. ... because if Judge, then also Redeemer, for only the Redeemer has been given the right to judge! (see Acts 17:32)
A29.7 The writer of the book of Hebrews quotes Psalms regarding the "Son of Man".
What is man, that thou art mindful of him? And the Son of Man, that thou visitest him? For thou hast made him a little lower than the angels, and hast crowned him with glory and honor. Thou madest him to have dominion over the works of thy hands: thou hast put all things under his feet: Psalm 8:4-6 Hebrews 2:6-8
A29.8 The phrase "Thou hast made him a little lower than the angels..." indicates the incarnation, "the Word made flesh". It means that Jesus became a human being, and lived on this earth as a man.
A29.9 And yet He was raised up to glory and honor, and God gave him dominion over all the works of his hands, and put all things under His feet. This "Son of Man" could only be God -- true God, and true man at the same time. Only Jesus would fit that description.
A29.10 Nicodemus wondered how these things could be. How would the "Son of Man", who was incarnate as a human being upon this earth, be raised up to glory and honor? Jesus told him that it would be by death, by being raised up on a cross. Thus the resurrection was also implied. If any one wonders how the Christian Church got its doctrine, the answer is simple. We got it from Christ.
A29.11 Very rightly then does Jesus use this title for himself. He is the only One the title "Son of Man" would ever fit. By use of this title Jesus identified himself to the world, proclaiming himself to be at once both God and man -- the Messiah -- our Savior, Redeemer, and Lord!
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