1.THE The son of the man
By far, the most common name Jesus called himself was “Son of Man”, recorded over 100 times in the gospels. As a theologian George Knight said: “We know How Jesus used the title; but the For what is not as easy to explain. “
Sometimes Christ used Son of Man simply as a substitute for the pronoun “I”, usually in the context of the humility of his humanity. For example, in Matthew 8:19-20 (NIV) Jesus said, “Foxes have dens and birds have nests, but the Son of Man has no place to lay his head. » For his listeners, this usage would have recalled classic Old Testament scriptures on the humble nature of being human, such as Psalm 8:4 (NASB): “What has the man that you take thought of him, And the son of the man that you take care of him? »
Other times, Jesus used Son of Man as a title that emphasized the incredible power of His divine nature. During his trial before the Sanhedrin, Christ declared: “You will see the Son of Man sitting at the right hand of the Mighty One, coming on the clouds of heaven” (Mark 14:62 NIV). Members of the Sanhedrin would have quickly associated this with the messianic prophecy of Daniel 7:13 (NIV): “Before me there was one like a son of man, coming with the clouds of heaven.” This divine reference so angered them that the Sanhedrin immediately deemed Christ worthy of execution (Mark 14:63-65).
From an Old Testament perspective, “Son of Man” would have been most often associated with Ezekiel, as that is the name God called this prophet throughout his book. Again, applying this name to himself, Jesus seemed to associate both the humility of Ezekiel’s humanity (an ordinary man) and the glory of divinity upon him (God’s great prophet) . And maybe that was the point:
The Son of Man is both a human “who has been tempted in every way, just as we are” (Hebrews 4:14 NIV), and also God in whom “all the fullness of the Godhead lives in bodily form” (Colossians 2:9 NIV).
2. I am
Those who should know often tell me that “Jesus never claimed to be God – Christians added later!” They’re always surprised when I point at them John 8:58-59. Consider:
The very first name God gave himself is recorded in Exodus 3:14 (NIV): “God said to Moses, “I am who I am…say to the Israelites, “I am who I have sent to you.” Throughout history – and especially in Jewish culture – this name “I am” (“YHWH” in Hebrew), has been reserved for God alone.
Imagine the absolute shock then, when Jesus said to a crowd of Jews, “Before Abraham was born, I am!” (John 8:58 NIV).
The literal translation here would have been either “I have always been” or “I always am”, a claim to eternal existence that only the Creator God can make. The stunned crowd immediately understood that Christ’s statement was blasphemy – a man who claimed to be God! – punishable by death. Furious on behalf of God, “They picked up stones to stone him, but Jesus hid, escaping from the temple grounds” (John 8:59 NIV).
So believe what you want about Jesus, that’s your prerogative. But don’t expect anyone to accept that Jesus never claimed to be God. His “I am!” Put this lie to rest centuries ago. (See also John 10:25-33.)
3. life
Many times Jesus called himself “life”, usually in relation to some other aspect of eternity and/or existence. For example:
- A day or two after miraculously feeding thousands of hungry people, Jesus declared to the crowd, “I am the bread of life. Whoever comes to me will never hunger, and whoever believes in me will never thirst” (John 6:35 NIV).
- Speaking to Martha about his deceased brother Lazarus, Christ explained: “I am the resurrection and the life. He who believes in me will live, even if he dies” (John 11:25 NIV).
- When Thomas was looking for answers at the Last Supper, Jesus told him, “I am the way, the truth, and the life” (John 14:6 NIV).
In all these cases, “life” is understood as both existence and eternity falling under the sole authority of Jesus. Because he alone is life incarnate, he alone can create life in us. Accordingly, while bread sustains this temporal life, Christ alone is a “bread” capable of sustaining eternal life in us. As the death of Lazarus was overcome by resurrection, only Christ conquered all death when he rose from the dead, and he promised to share this miracle with us so that we too might live, even as we die. And the life of Jesus, expressed in love, allows us to understand the truth of our eternal home with God.
For further study
Here are seven other names Jesus called himself in the gospels (all from the NIV). What do you think they meant to his early listeners – and what do they mean to us today?
1. the groom
Jesus answered: “How can the bridegroom’s guests weep while he is with them? The time will come when the bridegroom will be taken from them; then they will fast. “(Matthew 9:15)
2. door
This is why Jesus said again: “I tell you the truth, I am the door of the sheep… I am the door; whoever enters through me will be saved. “(John 10:79)
3. good shepherd
I am the good shepherd; I know that my sheep and sheep know me – just as the Father knows me and I know the Father – and I lay down my life for the sheep. (John 10:14-15)
4. light of the world
I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness but will have the light of life. (John 8:12)
5. Lord/Teacher
NOW that I, your Lord and your Master, have washed your feet, you should also wash one another’s feet. (John 13:14-15)
6. Messiah / Christ
The woman said, “I know that the Messiah” (called Christ) “is coming. When he comes, he will explain everything to us. ”Then Jesus declared: “I, the one who speaks to you, am he. ”(John 4:25-26)
7. Vine
I am the vine; you are the branches. If you remain in me and I in you, you will bear much fruit; apart from me, you can’t do anything. (John 15:5)
Sources:
Herschel Hobbs. The illustrated life of Jesus (Nashville, TN: Holman Reference, 2000) 158.
Spiro Zodhiates, editor-in-chief. Complete Word Study Dictionary: New Testament (Chattanooga, TN: AMG Publishers, 1992, 1993) 513.
Mike Nappa is a big old man Nerd Bible Studyand in progress Bible theology commentator and author for Christianity.com. He is also an award-winning Christian author with over a million copies of his books sold worldwide. Learn more about Mikey at Nappaland.com And MikeNappa.com.
Photo credit: Unsplash / Edward Cisneros QSa
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