Question:

Many times in the Bible Jesus refers to himself as the son of man. Why not the Son of God?

Jim

Answer: Dear Jim,

You have reference to the incarnation – the fact that Jesus, existing eternally as the second person of the Godhead, came to us in the flesh. He was born of the flesh to the virgin Mary, and lived as a man, while never ceasing to be God.

As God the Son, or Son of God, the Bible refers to his divinity. Jesus was, and is God. He always was God, and always will be God.

As the Godman (not a term used in the Bible) or the Son of man, the Bible refers to his humanity. Jesus the man was tempted in all ways as we are – he experienced life as we do. He did not come to us as a king who lived in a palace with all of the regalia that accompanies such a human life. He chose to come and live among us in our poverty, in our need, in our hunger, in our human state. He never sinned, but he knew, and knows now, what it is like to be a human by being clothed with a body of flesh. Read the first chapter of John for some background.

Hope this helps!

In Christ,

Greg Albrecht