Son of Man Part 4
© 07.21.25 By David Eric Williams
The Son of Man restores the primacy of humanity over creation. Jesus was fully human in his human nature (and fully God in his deity). His humanity is important in more ways than one. For instance, his sacrifice was legitimate because he was human. It was a human man and a human woman who brought sin into the world. It is human beings who subsequently continue to sin. Therefore, it had to be a human being who stood in the place of mankind as an acceptable sacrifice. Moreover, it had to be a perfect human so he would not be punished for his own sin. Also, he had to be a human of infinite value to adequately pay for the world’s sins. Indeed, for God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life (John 3:16). Jesus is without sin and because the fullness of deity dwells in him, he is of infinite value. He is the only acceptable sacrifice.
There is more. As a truly human man, Jesus is the appropriate covenant head for the (truly human) people of God. Jesus does what Adam was supposed to do – provide godly headship and example to mankind. Jesus does what Abraham was supposed to do – bring blessings to all the world. Jesus does what Israel was supposed to do – be a light of salvation to the nations.
Because he is the Son of Man he can properly represent humanity to the Father. As the apostle Paul says, for, there is one God and one Mediator who can reconcile God and humanity - the man Christ Jesus (1 Timothy 2:5). God is a God of order and it was not appropriate for angels to represent humanity. With the coming of Jesus - the Son of Man - the age of angelic representation came to an end. Angels no longer act as mediators (and animals no longer serve as sacrifices).
All of these things are brought under the umbrella of the title "Son of Man." All of these things have to do with the authority, honor and sovereignty given to the one like a Son of Man who came on the clouds of heaven to the Ancient of Days (Daniel 7:13-14). In addition, it is tied to the judgment made in favor of the saints and the possession of the kingdom (Daniel 7:22). Indeed, all of this is another way of talking about the realization of the promises given to Abraham. And as I have said many times, we participate in the actualization of those covenant promises in Jesus Christ.
This is why it is important for Jesus to have many offspring. It is not God's plan for the kingdom to come in a cataclysmic final event. God's plan has been the same from the beginning of time. God determined Mankind would participate with him in the godly dominion of creation. The many blessings of the covenant are not waiting on an apocalyptic end-of-the world event. Rather, the experient blessings are waiting for obedient people of God to live as new creations. Let me remind you, work hard to show the results of your salvation, obeying God with deep reverence and fear. For God is working in you, giving you the desire and the power to do what pleases him (Philippians 2:12-13).
You see, to be a child of God is to imitate him. We want to grow in grace, each day becoming more like Jesus. To work out our salvation is to embrace the power of the Holy Spirit in our lives, living in a way pleasing to God – in a way that blesses the world. This has always been the promise of God; obedience brings blessing. And, lest we think this is works salvation we must not forget Paul's rhetorical question; do we then make void the law through faith? Certainly not! On the contrary, we establish the law (Romans 3:31).
I will return to this topic in a couple weeks.
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