Written nearly 500 years before Jesus’ earthly ministry, Daniel described a vision he had of someone “like a son of man” sitting next to the Ancient of Days and coming on the clouds. It was this title, the Son of Man, which Jesus used most frequently for himself!
D.A. Carson unpacks Daniel 7:13-14 saying that “the messianic Son of Man…will exercise great power in judgment over rebellious nations along with provide salvation” to His sheep. [1]
Therefore, when Jesus stood before Caiaphas, a first-century Jewish High Priest, he knew Caiaphas would be keenly aware of his reference to Daniel’s vision.
“Again the high priest asked him, ‘Are you the Christ, the Son of the Blessed?’ And Jesus said, ‘I am, and you will see the Son of Man seated at the right hand of Power, and coming with the clouds of heaven.’ And the high priest tore his garments and said, ‘What further witnesses do we need?’” Mark 14:61-63 📕
It’s this Son of Man Stephen saw when he was martyred for preaching the Gospel:
“But Stephen, full of the Holy Spirit, looked intently into heaven and saw the glory of God and Jesus standing at the right hand of God. ‘Look,’ he said, ‘I see heaven open and the Son of Man standing at the right hand of God’” (Acts 7:55-56)
“While they were stoning him, Stephen appealed, ‘Lord Jesus, receive my spirit.’ Falling on his knees, he cried out in a loud voice, ‘Lord, do not hold this sin against them.’ And when he had said this, he fell asleep” (Acts 7:59-60).
Friends, God came down. The Creator of the universe put on humanity. The Judge of every soul was willing to be judged on our behalf. Jesus, the Son of Man, laid his life down for His sheep. He paid the debt that only humanity owed and rose again bodily — all for the sake of reconciling us back to Himself. Only God could do this for us. Think upon these things.
- D.A. Carson and G.K. Beale; Commentary on the New Testament Use of the Old Testament: A Comprehensive Bible Commentary on Old Testament Quotations, Allusions & Echoes That Appear from Matthew through Revelation https://a.co/d/00yrSvv6
Hold Fast Apologetics 