Christ—Son of Man

~ Consider 7 Aspects of the “Son of Man” ~

The Son of God became the Son of Man so that the sons of men could become sons of God.  In the New Testament the title “Son of Man” is interesting in that it was primarily used by Jesus Christ referring to Himself.  His disciples never used it when speaking directly to Him or in casual conversation about Him.  In one sense the Son of Man signifies His true humanity as distinguished from His true Divinity and also from fallen humanity. 

note:  When Jesus Christ referred to Himself as the Son of Man He was also referencing His direct access to God the Father (a subject of a future post)—see Daniel 7:13-14. 

Son of Man in Service and Suffering  ~   Jesus said, “For John came neither eating nor drinking, and they say, ‘He has a demon.’  The Son of Man [referring to Himself] came eating and drinking, and they say, ‘Look, a glutton and a winebibber, a friend of tax collectors and sinners!’  But wisdom is justified by her children” (Matthew 11:18-19).  “But He [Jesus] turned and rebuked them, and said, ‘You do not know what manner of spirit you are of.  For the Son of Man did not come to destroy men’s lives but to save them.’  And they went to another village” (Luke 9:55-56). 

Son of Man Coming to Save  ~  “And Jesus said to him, ‘Today salvation has come to this house, because he also is a son of Abraham; for the Son of Man has come to seek and to save that which was lost’” (Luke 19:9-10).  Jesus said, “Do not labor for the food which perishes, but for the food which endures to everlasting life, which the Son of Man will give you, because God the Father has set His seal on Him” (John 6:27).

Son of Man Suffering Unto Death  ~  Jesus said, “The Son of Man must suffer many things, and be rejected by the elders and chief priests and scribes, and be killed, and be raised the third day” (Luke 9:22).  “Then He [Jesus] answered and told them, ‘Indeed, Elijah is coming first and restores all things.  And how is it written concerning the Son of Man, that He must suffer many things and be treated with contempt?’” (Mark 9:12).  

Son of Man as the Sacrifice for Sin  ~  Jesus said, “And as Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, even so must the Son of Man be lifted up, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have eternal life” (John 3:14-15).  “The people answered Him, ‘We have heard from the law that the Christ remains forever; and how can You say, “The Son of Man must be lifted up?”’  Who is this Son of Man?’” (John 12:34). 

Son of Man Risen from the Dead  ~  At the very heart of Christianity is a crucial distinctive—we do not serve a dead leader, but the risen Messiah.  “He is not here, but is risen!  Remember how He spoke to you when He was still in Galilee, saying, ‘The Son of Man must be delivered into the hands of sinful men, and be crucified, and the third day rise again’” (Luke 24:6-7).  Jesus said, “Anyone who speaks a word against the Son of Man, it will be forgiven him; but whoever speaks against the Holy Spirit, it will not be forgiven him, either in this age or in the age to come.” (Matthew 12:32).  “Now as they came down from the mountain, Jesus commanded them, saying, ‘Tell the vision to no one until the Son of Man is risen from the dead’” (Matthew 17:9). 

Son of Man Glorified in Heaven  ~  “But he [Stephen], being full of the Holy Spirit, gazed into heaven and saw the glory of God, and Jesus standing at the right hand of God, and said, ‘Look! I see the heavens opened and the Son of Man standing at the right hand of God!’” (Acts 7:55-56).   “Then I [John] turned to see the voice that spoke with me.  And having turned I saw seven golden lampstands, and in the midst of the seven lampstands One like the Son of Man, clothed with a garment down to the feet and girded about the chest with a golden band.  His head and hair were white like wool, as white as snow, and His eyes like a flame of fire; His feet were like fine brass, as if refined in a furnace, and His voice as the sound of many waters; He had in His right hand seven stars, out of His mouth went a sharp two-edged sword, and His countenance was like the sun shining in its strength” (Revelation 1:12-16).

Son of Man Coming Again in Judgment  ~  Jesus said, “For as the lightning comes from the east and flashes to the west, so also will the coming of the Son of Man be” (Matthew 24:27).  Jesus said, “When the Son of Man comes in His glory, and all the holy angels with Him, then He will sit on the throne of His glory.  All the nations will be gathered before Him, and He will separate them one from another, as a shepherd divides his sheep from the goats.  And He will set the sheep on His right hand, but the goats on the left.  Then the King will say to those on His right hand, ‘Come, you blessed of My Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world’” (Matthew 25:31-34).

the key question: “Who do you say that I am?” (Matthew 16:15). This is the most important question you will ever answer. If you do not answer it, or answer it incorrectly, you have made the biggest mistake anyone can make!

~ Robert Lloyd Russell, ABUNDANT LIFE NOW

Messiah, 131

~ Messiah Is God ~

“Search the Scriptures—they testify of Me.”

— Jesus Christ (John 5:39)

The Scripture

“For unto us a Child is born, unto us a Son is given; and the government will be upon His shoulder. And His name will be called Wonderful, Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace” (Isaiah 9:6).   

The Messiah 

“In the beginning was the Word [Jesus Christ], and the Word [Jesus Christ] was with God, and the Word [Jesus Christ] was God. He was in the beginning with God. All things were made through Him, and without Him nothing was made that was made. In Him was life, and the life was the light of men” (John 1:1-4). 

“For the law was given through Moses, but grace and truth came through Jesus Christ. No one has seen God at any time. The only begotten Son, who is in the bosom of the Father, He has declared Him” (John 1:17-18). 

~~~ EXPLANATORY “MESSIAH” NOTES ~~~   

(1)  Each Saturday ALN posts an example of a Hebrew Scriptures prophecy (or foreshadowing) related to the coming Messiah which was fulfilled in the birth, life, death, or resurrection of Jesus Christ.

(2)  While extensive it will not be a complete list—there are hundreds of prophecies of the coming Messiah which have been fulfilled by one man—Jesus Christ at His First Coming.

(3)  It is important that there are many more prophecies of the Messiah, yet unfulfilled, which Christians believe will be fulfilled at the time of His Second Coming.  A particularly relevant Scripture verse in this regard is: “Do not despise prophesies” (1 Thessalonians 5:20).

(4)  These posts will typically consist only of Scripture—which speaks for itself.  Sometimes italicized or bold font will be used by ALN for emphasis.

(5)  The numbering of these fulfilled prophecies of the Messiah is used to differentiate individual posts. It is not chronological (either by time of the prophecy or by sequence in the life of the Messiah).  The posting sequence will, for the most part, be in the order that the prophecies appear in Scripture.

(6)  Because of the chosen methodology (#5 above) we will find many specific prophecies repeated multiple times throughout the Scriptures.

(7)  These serial posts are in addition to our regular Tuesday ALN postings on random topics.

(8)  Subscription to ABUNDANT LIFE NOW blog is simple—just use the link on the left sidebar.  Once subscribed you will not miss future posts.

~ Robert Lloyd Russell, ABUNDANT LIFE NOW

The Red Sea Crossing

~ Was It a Miracle? ~

There is an old story from unknown source which I like—not a little!

“A new convert was reading his Bible when he called out, ‘Wow!  Praise the Lord!’  A liberal minister heard him, and asked him what the noise was about.  The young Christian replied with great enthusiasm, ‘This is incredible.  It says here that God performed a miracle of deliverance by opening up the Red Sea for the Jews to march through!’

“The minister replied, ‘Owing to tidal patterns around that time of year, the Red Sea was a swamp that was only three-inches deep.’

“Somewhat subdued, the young man continued reading, but soon exclaimed, ‘Wow!  Praise the Lord!’

“‘What’s the matter now?’ asked the minister.

“To which the Christian replied, ‘God has just drowned the whole Egyptian army in three inches of water!’

“Over 3,000 times, the Bible speaks of its inspiration by God.  His Word is true, and you can believe every word of it.”

closing thought:  This might be a good time to re-read the historical account of the Red Sea crossing (Exodus 14-15:19; Psalm 136; Hebrews 11:29). 

~ Robert Lloyd Russell, ABUNDANT LIFE NOW

An Excited Declaration

~ David Knew Jehovah and the Benefits of Being His Child ~

Psalm 27 provides many glimpses into who Jehovah is and what the child of God receives from Him. In just 14 verses David lists 18 items. 

(Psalm 27:1-3)  The Lord is my light [1 – direction] and my salvation [2 – deliverance]; whom shall I fear? The Lord is the strength [3 – power to overcome] of my life; of whom shall I be afraid? When the wicked came against me to eat up my flesh, my enemies and foes, they stumbled and fell. Though an army may encamp against me,  my heart shall not fear; though war may rise against me, in this I will be confident.

(4-6) One thing I have desired [4 – right desires] of the Lord, that will I seek: that I may dwell in the house [5 – shelter] of the Lord all the days of my life, to behold the beauty [6 – the presence of God] of the Lord, and to inquire in His temple [7 – teaching]. For in the time of trouble He shall hide me [8 – protection] in His pavilion; in the secret place of His tabernacle He shall hide me [9 – security]; He shall set me high upon a rock. And now my head shall be lifted up [10 – salvation] above my enemies all around me; therefore I will offer sacrifices of joy in His tabernacle; I will sing, yes, I will sing praises to the Lord [11 – worship]. 

(7-12) Hear, O Lord, when I cry with my voice! [12 – He hears our prayer] Have mercy also upon me, and answer me. When You said, “Seek My face,” my heart said to You, “Your face, Lord, I will seek.” [13 – provides direction to His children] Do not hide Your face from me; do not turn Your servant away in anger; You have been my help; do not leave me nor forsake me, O God of my salvation [14 – source of salvation]. When my father and my mother forsake me, then the Lord will take care of me. [15 – He takes in the forsaken] Teach me Your way, O Lord, and lead me [16 – guidance] in a smooth path, because of my enemies. Do not deliver me to the will of my adversaries; for false witnesses have risen against me, and such as breathe out violence.

(13-14) I would have lost heart, unless I had believed that I would see the goodness of the Lord [17 – blessings] in the land of the living. Wait on the Lord; be of good courage, and He shall strengthen your heart [18 – encouragement]; wait, I say, on the Lord!

How about you? Do you understand and enjoy the benefits of divine sonship? 

~ Robert Lloyd Russell, ABUNDANT LIFE NOW

Jesus – 4 Views

~ Are You Fully Persuaded of the 4 “S” Phrases? ~

Son of God  ~  “Nathanael answered and said to Him, ‘Rabbi, You are the Son of God!  You are the King of Israel!’” (John 1:49).  “And truly Jesus did many other signs in the presence of His disciples, which are not written in this book; but these are written that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, and that believing you may have life in His name” (John 20:30-31). 

Son of Man  ~  “And He [Jesus] strictly warned and commanded them to tell this to no one, saying, ‘The Son of Man must suffer many things, and be rejected by the elders and chief priests and scribes, and be killed, and be raised the third day’” (Luke 9:21-22).  “And Jesus said to him, ‘Today salvation has come to this house, because he also is a son of Abraham; for the Son of Man has come to seek and to save that which was lost’” (Luke 19:9-10). 

Sacrifice for Sin  ~  “And according to the law almost all things are purified with blood, and without shedding of blood there is no remission” (Hebrews 9:22).  “But this Man [Jesus], after He had offered one sacrifice for sins forever, sat down at the right hand of God” (Hebrews 10:12). 

Savior of Sinners  ~  “This is a faithful saying and worthy of all acceptance, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners, of whom I [the Apostle Paul] am chief” (1 Timothy 1:15).  “But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us.  Much more then, having now been justified by His blood, we shall be saved from wrath through Him.  For if when we were enemies we were reconciled to God through the death of His Son, much more, having been reconciled, we shall be saved by His life.  And not only that, but we also rejoice in God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom we have now received the reconciliation” (Romans 5:8-11). 

the key question: “Who do you say that I am?” (Matthew 16:15). This is the most important question you will ever answer. If you do not answer it, or answer it incorrectly, you have made the biggest mistake anyone can make!

~ Robert Lloyd Russell, ABUNDANT LIFE NOW