Son of Man

Then the high priest stood up before the others and asked Jesus, “Well, aren’t you going to answer these charges? What do you have to say for yourself?” But Jesus was silent and made no reply. Then the high priest asked him, “Are you the Messiah, the Son of the Blessed One?” Jesus said, “I am. And you will see the Son of Man seated in the place of power at God’s right hand and coming on the clouds of heaven.” [Mark 14.60-62]

We would all do well to at least consider, even if we don't understand, Jesus' use of the title 'Son of Man' versus His use of the title 'Son of God.' For the record, Jesus used the title 'Son of Man' for Himself much more than He used the title 'Son of God.'

Here we go...

As much as Jesus was God, He was man. The significance of this is found in His repeated demands upon His followers to "do as He did," - that they were all sent as He was sent. In the cosmic separation of all things "spiritual" and "natural," it would not have made much sense whatsoever for "spiritual God" to tell "natural man," to "Do what I do,"

However, by identifying as the "Son of Man," Jesus' unrelenting demands for faith and miracles from His followers were not unfounded. If He, Jesus, the Son of "Man" could do it, then they also, sons of men, could do it too.

Not the least significant thing Jesus told His followers to do was to take up their crosses and follow Him. In fact, every human being has the capacity to die on a cross (both literally and figuratively). Therefore, Jesus' suffering on behalf of others (on the Cross and elsewhere) was not an action of God, but of man. In other words, any man could do it ...if only he would. Although, only Jesus' perfect blood could perform the spiritual cleansing necessary to save mankind, that does not stop man's blood shed on behalf of others from portraying Jesus to others so they might be saved! God so loved the world... there was a cross. Any man who truly loves others will embrace his cross too:

There is no greater love than to lay down one’s life for one’s friends. [John 15.13]

When Jesus answered the high priest in the subject passage above, I wonder if He was speaking of Himself then (seated in the place of power at God's right hand...) or of every person who would follow Him? In fact, Christianity "mushroomed" not too long after Jesus' ascension to heaven... [I apologize to the reader if this is unclear...]

"Messiah," in strictly Biblical understanding, represented a new era - a new Kingdom. For Jesus to admit He was Messiah was to also admit that new Kingdom had come. That is precisely why He went on to say, "And you will see the Son of Man seated in the place of power at God’s right hand and coming on the clouds of heaven.” He was speaking of the Kingdom. 

We are the Kingdom.

How does this translate to modern Christianity as we know it? For the most past, it doesn't translate at all because modern Christianity only talks of power, and, in all but the rarest situations, that power is not seen. Jesus said the 'Son of Man' (replaceable with 'son of man') would be seen seated in the place of power at God's right hand and coming on the clouds of heaven. We should be seen in the place of power because we are seated with Christ in heavenly places, and Jesus should be seen when He comes on the clouds of heaven in His return.

In fact, every time Jesus uses the title 'Son of Man' in His discussions, we should start figuring out how we fit into that situation! Only when Jesus says, 'Son of God' can we relax.

This is a good time and place to read John 17 with all this in mind.

Father, forgive me for being so dull in my understanding of Your Kingdom and my part in it! Help me to "see" so that Your Kingdom might be "seen" in me!