December 3: The Son of Man
“For the Son of Man came to seek and to save the lost.”
We now turn to the title that Jesus used for himself more than any other: The Son of Man. It’s used a staggering 80 times in the four gospels. As Jesus’ favourite name for himself, we had better pay special attention to why this is the case, especially given the profound nature of all his other titles. We now turn to the title that Jesus used for himself more than any other: The Son of Man.
What exactly is Jesus trying to communicate in taking on this designation? To answer that question, we will need to understand its origins because it is saying much more than that he is simply a human man, although to be sure, that is its first and primary meaning. The term comes from Daniel 7:13-14 (why not check out our sermon on this passage from last year’s series Daniel series?):
and behold, with the clouds of heaven there came one like a son of man, and he came to the Ancient of Days and was presented before him. And to him was given dominion and glory and a kingdom, that all peoples, nations, and languages should serve him; his dominion is an everlasting dominion, which shall not pass away, and his kingdom one that shall not be destroyed.
From this shadowy figure, of which we know little from Daniel, comes the main avenue Jesus emphasises his altogether otherness. Take a look at what is said about this figure. It speaks of his never-ending kingdom and rule, and that he will receive glory from God himself. Jesus is saying to us: “I am no ordinary man”. To see Jesus as a wise human teacher is to miss how it is that Jesus saw himself. In Luke 19:10 Jesus gives us something of his mission statement, that “the Son of Man came to seek and to save the lost."
This pre-existent king is no ordinary king. What other king leaves his throne to come and rescue sinners? What kind of supreme ruler enters into the fray to seek and save the lost? Not only is he going to receive an eternal dominion that will never pass away, but this king is on a mission. And his mission is to seek us out, seek you out. But Jesus is telling us something else here: you need seeking and saving because you’re lost without him.
Christmas is the celebration of this pursuit. The cross was no accident. It is the clearest picture of God’s burning love you. Our king is different. He is on a mission. And nothing is going to stand in his way.