The favorite title Jesus used for Himself was “Son of Man”. You will find this phrase almost ninety times in the gospels. I’m sure there are several reasons why Jesus chose to use this phrase over others, however, there are two that we can be sure of.
            First, this title was a direct nod to the prophecy of Daniel, “I saw in the night visions, and, behold, one like the Son of man came with the clouds of heaven, and came to the Ancient of days, and they brought him near before him. And there was given him dominion, and glory, and a kingdom, that all people, nations, and languages, should serve him: his dominion is an everlasting dominion, which shall not pass away, and his kingdom that which shall not be destroyed.” (Daniel 7:13-14)
            This is obviously important as this is Jesus connecting Himself to a prophecy concerning the Messiah. This may seem obscure to us sitting here in the 21st century- but the Jews of Jesus’ day would be very familiar with the prophecy. Jesus never attempted to hide who He was- and His Jewish audience would easily understand the correlation.
            To negate that Jesus was the Messiah is to reject His own claims to be so. He may have not shouted from the rooftops that He was the Messiah, but He certainly made claims for those who had eyes to see and ears to hear.
            However, it’s the second aspect of this phrase that intrigues me. The phrase Son of Man obviously carries with it the picture of humanity. It was no mistake that He chose to use this phrase far more than Son of God (used less than half the number of times in the gospels); He was choosing to identify Himself with those He came to save.
             Jesus was and is utterly unique- no God imagined in the minds of men would care enough for humanity to live among them- much less to become one of them (John 1:14- “the Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us”). However, Jesus willingly emptied Himself of the glory He had in eternity past to live, become, and identify as one of us. as it says in Philippians 2:5-7, “Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus: Who, being in the form of God, thought it not robbery to be equal with God: But made himself of no reputation, and took upon him the form of a servant, and was made in the likeness of men”.
         Jesus’ humanity was not only necessary with regards to our salvation (if He wasn’t human, He couldn’t die) but it was also an incredible gift to us for His current ministry. Jesus is described as our high priest, which the book of Hebrews speaks a great deal about. In one of those passages it says, “Seeing then that we have a great high priest, that is passed into the heavens, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold fast our profession.” (Hebrews 4:14)
          A high priest was a representative of the people, therefore, the more the high priest knows the people the better job he can do. Jesus didn’t come to just be a good high priest but a perfect high priest. One of my favorite passages is the next two verses in Hebrews, “For we have not an high priest which cannot be touched with the feeling of our infirmities; but was in all points tempted like as we are, yet without sin. Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need.” (Hebrews 4:15-16)
         Jesus’ humanity makes Him a perfect high priest because He can sympathize with our problems. He knows, personally and experientially, what it means to be human. With all the emotions, thoughts, and feelings that you and I have- all without sin.
           Because He was the Son of Man, He can be our perfect high priest. A high priest that we are told to come to for grace and mercy. But notice, we are not to just come, but we are to boldly come. We have no need to worry or wonder if this high priest can encourage and comfort because He’s been the Son of Man- He knows your pain.
           
            

The Word of God

           Think of someone you are close to relationally. Now, imagine that person wrote a book, how eager would you be to pick up and read that book? Perhaps you would read it with more enthusiasm and concentration than any other book you’ve read.
               Now, imagine that very book held all the knowledge you would ever need for all matters of spirituality; all knowledge you would ever need for all matters of life, death, and what comes after. If that was the case, I imagine you would go over it with a fine-tooth comb.
               However, as you probably already know, that book exists and if you would be eager to read such a book by someone you know and love, how much more eager should you be to read such a book by someone who knows and loves you? Not only knows and loves you but is the sovereign God of the universe.
            The bible is that book; the most incredible and unique book ever written. All the power, longevity, and relevance the book has sustained in the millennia since it was written is all due to its author.

               2 Timothy 3:16- “All scripture is given by inspiration of God”

              2 Peter 1:21- “For the prophecy came not in old time by the will of man: but                   holy men of God spake as they were moved by the Holy Ghost.”

              We don’t have to stand in the dark as to what God wants us to know- it’s been given to us by Him. Formed by 66 books written over the course of about 1500 years (from Moses in 1500 BC to John in 90 AD) by around 40 different men. These men came from all walks of life; from hermits and fisherman to scribes and prophets. The Old Testament was written in Hebrew and the New Testament in Koine Greek.
         Despite the many authors and the time it took to complete it has one continuous story (God’s dealing with man from fall, redemption, and eternity), it tells of one plan of salvation (by grace through faith), it has one central theme (Jesus Christ), and it has one central purpose (to bring glory to God). No other book in the history of mankind has even come close to inspiring more art, poems, music, and other writings than the bible.
           No other book has been hated or attacked like the bible and yet it still exists and is much more readily available now than at any time in its history. This is as God said it would be, “Heaven and earth shall pass away, but my words shall not pass away.” (Matthew 24:35) A.W. Pink stated, “No other book has provoked such fierce opposition as the Bible, and its preservation is perhaps the most startling miracle connected with it.”
            The bible is so wrapped up in the fabric of our culture that many people use biblical terminology without even knowing it’s from the bible. Idioms such “a drop in the bucket” (Isaiah 40:15) or a “good Samaritan” (Luke 10:30-35) are straight from the Word of God.
              With a book like this, it boggles the mind to think that so many avoid reading it- many of God’s own; and according to its own message the bible is something to be studied (2 Tim 2:15), acted upon (James 1:22), and believed (John 20:31). It is certainly not something to simply look good on our shelf. Charles Spurgeon once said, “A bible that is falling apart usually belongs to someone who isn’t.” Now, someone who’s consistently in the Word doesn’t necessitate a strong relationship with Christ (which is why Spurgeon said usually and not always), but someone who is never in the Word can’t have a strong relationship with Christ.
             All this to say we serve an amazing God who has given us an amazing book. A book that will lead, guide, and direct our lives to be more like the One who inspired it.