what did jesus mean by calling himself the son of man and what is the significance of this today.

-- berny (bubblybu@hotmail.com), March 06, 2003

Answers

Even though Christ is God and the Son of God, he is also one of us, born of Mary. He deigned to become like one of us in all things but sin. He knows what it is to be human and divine.

Today this means we have a God who knows what it is like to be human, to suffer humanly, to love humanly, but also divinely. We can have confidence in going to Him with our prayers knowing that he understands our condition as people by what he expereinced.

God Bless,

Joe

-- Joseph Carl Biltz (jcbiltz@canoemail.com), March 06, 2003.

Berny. The Gospel of Mark, which I considered the oldest Gospel calls Jesus the "Son of Man" . Matthew, Luke, and John call him the "Son of God" . This title appears in the Book of Daniel, where the one coming in the clouds is a Son of Man. This has messianic interpretations and also the idea that a human person (son of man) will be the one bringing salvation.

I haven't heard priests or a bishop ever calling Jesus the Son of Man.

-- Elpidio gonzalez (egonzalez@srla.org), March 06, 2003.

The priest reads from the scriptures at every Mass, and when the scriptures say "Son of Man", the priest says "Son of Man". Other than that, it isn't one of the most frequently used titles of Jesus, unless of course a priest is giving a sermon on something directly related, like the dual natures of Christ or the humanity of Christ.

-- Paul (PaulCyp@cox.net), March 06, 2003.

Berny, In the book of Daniel, chapter 7, Daniel describes the vision of the four beasts. The forth had a mouth that spoke arrogantly. In verse 9 he watches 'as thrones were set up and the Ancient One took his throne. ...Thousands upon thousands were ministering to him, and myriads upon myriads attended him.' The arrogant beast was slain and the others 'lost their dominion'.. and then {in vs 13} Daniel saw "One like a Son of Man coming on the clouds of Heaven; When He reached the Ancient One and was presented before Him, He received dominion, glory and kingship; nations and peoples of every language serve him. His dominion is an everlasting dominion that shall not be taken away, his kingship shall not be destroyed".

Verses 17,18 tell us "These four great beasts stand for four kingdoms which shall arise on earth. But the holy ones of the Most High shall receive the kingship, to possess it forever and ever."

The footnotes of my 'new American' bible say this about "One like a Son of Man"... in contrast to the worldly kingdoms opposed to God, which appear as beasts, the glorified people of God that will form His kingdom on earth is represented in human form {v18}. Our Lord made the title , "Son of Man", His most characteristic way as referring to Himself, as the One in whom and through whom the salvation of God's people came to be realized.

It's a little hard for me to grasp fully yet.. but it points to Jesus in His humanity, relating to us in our humanity, He represents the glorified people of God {that's us, His Bride} here on earth, yet as the One in whom our salvation comes. Right here and now,Jesus Christ, as both Son of God, and truly our brother, lives to intercede for us before the Father. We can only ponder and marvel at such a prophetic vision.

-- Theresa Huether (Rodntee4Jesus@aol.com), March 07, 2003.

The term “Son of Man” is used some two hundred times in the Bible. It is used over ninety times in the Old Testament to describe the Prophet Ezechiel. But it is most important to note the use of this phrase in the Book of Daniel,

“As the visions during the night continued, I saw One like a ‘SON OF MAN’ coming, on the clouds of heaven; when he reached the Ancient One and was presented before him, He received dominion, glory, and kingship; nations and peoples of every language serve him. His dominion is an everlasting dominion that shall not be taken away, his kingship shall not be destroyed.” (7:13-14)

In interpreting this passage of the Bible, Catholics believe it is a passage which predicts the coming of a Messiah (anointed one - anointed by God). When referring to this passage ancient Jews came to refer to the person being mentioned in this passage as the Messiah. In Jewish antiquity, priests, prophets and kings were “anointed” with special oil. This served as a clear indication to all, that in calling the one who was to come the Messiah - the anointed one, the "son of man" would be charged to carry out all three roles in His mission of salvation.

The passage also indicated that the one who was to come would be part man (son of man) but also, who would come with the authority of God (coming, on the clouds of heaven). God has given this man the tools (He received dominion, glory, and kingship) to do the job and he shall be acknowledged by all people (nations and peoples of every language serve him). We are told that this man who is to come is in some way part God (His dominion is an everlasting dominion that shall not be taken away, his kingship shall not be destroyed). This passage of scripture is very powerful and revealing. It further helps to reveal to us in part, the doctrine of the Trinity, as well as our mission in life as Christians (to be imitators of Christ) - to become priests, prophets and kings by virtue of our baptism.

In the new testament, the term “Son of Man” interestingly enough, is only used by Jesus Himself. We know that Jesus had extensive knowledge of Old Testament scriptures and His frequent use of this term to describe Himself served as a clear indication for the Jews and for us that He was revealing to us, who He really was - the Messiah. The Jews were very sensitive about mentioning the name of God out loud and for them to hear Jesus frequently call Himself the Son of Man, a term which had become synonymous with the Messiah who was to come, would not have gone unnoticed.

-- Ed Lauzon (grader@accglobal.net), March 07, 2003.

Wow Ed thanks, intresting stuff :-). Blessings

-- kiwi (csisherwood@hotmail.com), March 07, 2003.

Very well said, Ed.

-- Elpidio Gonzalez (egonzalez@srla.org), March 07, 2003.