Today is Son of Man / Son of God day as I promised.
Both of these are terms that relate to the Messiah
Son of Man comes out of the Old Testament as a quick phrase search using E-sword will show you. It is found in Numbers, Job, Psalms and Ezekiel. It refers to a man, and in Ezekiel it refers to the Messiah figure. This term is the one that Jesus most frequently applies to Himself. Yes, it is used as a messianic term by Jesus to refer his hearers to what Ezekiel said of Him. The concept is also man as God meant for him to be. Jesus as the son of man is the epitomy of what God meant for a man. One totally submitted and one with God. Jesus is man as God intended him to be back in the Garden. He is totally man but living as God intended man to live, fully dependant on Father God. But yes fully Messiah too.
Son of God is a little more complicated and fraught with debate by the scholars because it is less cut and dried. A quick search in E-Sword will reveal mixed references. Like Gen 6:2 where Sons of God refers to angels (of the fallen kind). David’s use of the term in Psalms refers to a kingly figure. The Coming King? The Chief Priest asked, “Are you the Christ, the Son of God?” It appears to be used as a Messianic term. Clearly in Jesus’ use of the term He is emphasizing His oneness with the Father and claiming of Himself the fact that He is indeed the One the TANAKH points to. So much so that the Teachers of the Law and Pharisees wanted to stone him for blasphemy. They knew exactly what He was doing. Think of Son of God as being like the son of an earthly father – the spitting image of his dad. So like his dad. Now think of Jesus and His relationship with His Father.
Between these two terms we have Jesus Son of Man – fully man as God intended him to be – and Messiah. Jesus Son of God – fully God come to earth to save us. But it gets even clearer in relation to John’s theme – wait for it. More to come.
You can learn from ANYONE if you ask wise questions.
Rick Warren
Good advice lies deep within a person’s heart & the wise draw it out.
Proverbs 20:5
All leaders are learners. The moment you stop learning, you stop leading. I learn as much as I can, from as many as I can, as often as I can.
Rick Warren
Go ye and do likewise. Jesus
Luke 10:37