Peter Sammons provides insight on what Jesus said about Himself.
As we consider our Lord and Saviour, we really do need to reflect prayerfully on what he said about Himself, and how He self-identified. Also, on what others said about Jesus. These notes can help in that reflection.
I Am …..
John 6: 35 (+48) – bread of life
John 8: 12 – the light of the world
John 10: 7 – gate for the sheep
John 10: 11 – good shepherd
John 11: 25 – resurrection and the life
John 14: 6 – the way the truth and the life
John 15: 1 – the true vine
He is …..
Hebrews 7: 22-27 – perfect high priest (other high priests were imperfect)
Colossians 2: 9 – the fullness of deity living in human form
1 John 1: 7 – the one who purifies us from all sin
1 John 2: 2 – the atoning sacrifice for our sins and not only ours, but the sins of the whole world
Philipp 2: 6-11 – the name above all names (theological summary)
Son of Man
The Son of Man came not to be served – but to serve – and to give his life as a ransom for many (Mark 10:45);
The Son of Man came to seek and to save the lost (Luke 19:10);
Mark 2: 1-12, Jesus forgives the sin of the paralytic man, a shocking and potentially blasphemous action (verse 7). In verse 10 – Jesus tells the paralysed man to walk, to demonstrate that “the Son of Man has authority on earth to forgive sins” (2:10). Since Jesus has just forgiven the man’s sins, he is identifying himself as Son of Man.
On the Sabbath Day Jesus defends his disciples’ actions – and thus his interpretation of what is legal to do – by stating that “the Son of Man is Lord even of the Sabbath” (2:28).
The majority of Jesus’ use of his Son of Man title in the Gospel of Mark, are in reference to his death and resurrection (8:31, 9:9, 12, 31; 10:33, 45; 14:21 [2x], 41).
The Son of Man is a glorious figure who reigns and rules, rather than suffers and dies. Yet in Jesus’ first incarnation here, he wants to show that he is the powerful, Messianic figure who will fulfill the Messianic task vision through his death and resurrection. The suffering of this Messianic figure was a profound shock to the Israelites (and may be to us too!), which is why Jesus says it over and over again.
Recent Comments