I remember years ago being challenged regarding the deity of Christ. The young man was demanding that I show him where Jesus called himself God. Of course there is no such place. Jesus is never recorded in the Gospels as saying "I am God" or saying "I am the Son of God." He implies it often, He makes claims that only God should make, but never calls himself the Son of God. On the other hand, He does refer to himself often as "Son of Man."
I was reminded of this as I read Daniel 7:13, 14 this morning. There we find Daniel's one reference to "a son of man, coming with the clouds of heaven. --- 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."
Ezekiel is addressed by God as "son of man" many times; Daniel is addressed that way only once. However it is the reference in Daniel 7 that is so important as we consider Christ. This is the Old Testament passage from which Jesus took his preferred title while on earth.
The most common term Jesus used to speak of himself was "Son of Man". In fact the four Gospels record the use of "Son of Man" at least 75 times. This is the title He used when being tried in what was a pretense of a trial by the Jewish religious leaders.
"Tell us if you are the Christ, the Son of God" the high priest demands.
I was reminded of this as I read Daniel 7:13, 14 this morning. There we find Daniel's one reference to "a son of man, coming with the clouds of heaven. --- 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."
Ezekiel is addressed by God as "son of man" many times; Daniel is addressed that way only once. However it is the reference in Daniel 7 that is so important as we consider Christ. This is the Old Testament passage from which Jesus took his preferred title while on earth.
The most common term Jesus used to speak of himself was "Son of Man". In fact the four Gospels record the use of "Son of Man" at least 75 times. This is the title He used when being tried in what was a pretense of a trial by the Jewish religious leaders.
"Tell us if you are the Christ, the Son of God" the high priest demands.
"You have said so,” Jesus replied. “But I say to all of you: From now on you will see the Son of Man sitting at the right hand of the Mighty One and coming on the clouds of heaven.” Matthew 26:64
This was an unmistakable reference to Daniel 7:14. Jesus was clearly claiming to be the One prophesied, the One who was to be given authority and power over all peoples; who would receive their worship; who would rule over an everlasting kingdom. His claim to Deity and unique status was obvious to the Sanhedrin. The appropriate response should have been worship.
Instead the high priest said, "He has spoken blasphemy." And the Sanhedrin condemned the Son of Man, Son of God, to death!
Millions of us on earth and in heaven now worship this glorious Son of Man, and one day as both Daniel and Philippians affirm, all peoples will join us in worshipping our great King whose
Kingdom/Rule will never end.
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