Son of Man
Foxes have holes and birds of the air have nests, but the Son of Man has nowhere to lay His head.
Matthew 8:20
When reading the Bible, it helps to learn something of Jewish phrases. Take the phrase, “son of,” for example. It can be used literally: David is the son of Jesse. But it can also be used to describe someone’s unique characteristics. In Mark 3:17, Jesus called John and James the “Sons of Thunder,” pointing to their wrathful dispositions. Psalm 89:22 talks about a “son of wickedness,” which is indicative of an evil nature.
In the same way, when Jesus is called the Son of God, it means that He possesses the characteristics of God—He is, in essence, God. Likewise, when Jesus is called the Son of Man, it means He possesses the characteristics of humanity—He is, in essence, human. When we picture Jesus in His humanity, we realize He experienced what we experience—hunger, sadness, pain, joy. He identifies with us. That’s why you can tell Him anything, and He will come alongside to strengthen you in your time of need. He has been a carpenter; He is poor; but, above all, He is a man, and so completely a man, that men of every age, and every clime, recognise Him as a brother. Frank Coulin
Turning Point Ministries
Foxes have holes and birds of the air have nests, but the Son of Man has nowhere to lay His head.
Matthew 8:20
When reading the Bible, it helps to learn something of Jewish phrases. Take the phrase, “son of,” for example. It can be used literally: David is the son of Jesse. But it can also be used to describe someone’s unique characteristics. In Mark 3:17, Jesus called John and James the “Sons of Thunder,” pointing to their wrathful dispositions. Psalm 89:22 talks about a “son of wickedness,” which is indicative of an evil nature.
In the same way, when Jesus is called the Son of God, it means that He possesses the characteristics of God—He is, in essence, God. Likewise, when Jesus is called the Son of Man, it means He possesses the characteristics of humanity—He is, in essence, human. When we picture Jesus in His humanity, we realize He experienced what we experience—hunger, sadness, pain, joy. He identifies with us. That’s why you can tell Him anything, and He will come alongside to strengthen you in your time of need. He has been a carpenter; He is poor; but, above all, He is a man, and so completely a man, that men of every age, and every clime, recognise Him as a brother. Frank Coulin
Turning Point Ministries
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