The Son of Man (1:50–51)

The Son of Man (1:50–51)

The name, "Son of Man" is used eighty-three times in the Gospels and at least thirteen times in John. "Son of man" was one of our Lord's favorite names for Himself. The title talks about both Jesus' divine and human sides. Daniel 7:13 shows the "Son of Man" in a clear messianic context, and Jesus used the same name (Matt. 26:64).

Jesus is the "living link" between heaven and earth because he is the Son of Man. This is why He talked about "Jacob's ladder" in Genesis 28. Jacob, who was on the run, thought he was alone, but God had sent angels to protect and guide him. Christ is the "ladder" that God uses to get to and from heaven. "No man cometh unto the Father, but by Me" (John 14:6). In this gospel, Jesus often tells people that He came down from heaven. The Jews knew that "Son of Man" was a name for their Messiah (John 12:34).

By the end of that fourth day, Jesus had six men who believed in Him and were His disciples. They didn't "give up everything and follow Him" right away; that would happen later. But they had faith in Him and saw His power. Over the next three years, they would grow in their faith, learn more about Jesus, and one day become His ambassadors on Earth so that everyone could hear the Word.

God came to earth as Jesus of Nazareth. Philip's calling Him "the son of Joseph" did not mean that Jesus was not born of a virgin or divine. That was just His legal name; a Jewish person was known by who his father was (John 6:42). The witness of this whole chapter is clear: Jesus of Nazareth is God in the flesh!

God has come and is here!