Jesus’ most used self-designation is “Son of Man.” The antecedent for this title comes from chapter 7 of Daniel, in which the prophet records a dream. The scene is the courtroom of heaven, in which sits the “Ancient of Days.” Before him “the books were opened” resulting in four beasts, who represent earthly kingdoms, being judged and undone. The fourth — the most terrifying — is killed and “its body destroyed and given over to be burned with fire.” Into the vision comes “one like a son of man,” entering with “the clouds of heaven.” This figure, depicted as possessing divinity and humanity, receives from the Ancient of Days “dominion and glory and a kingdom, that all peoples, nations, and languages should serve him.” In fact, Daniel understands that, “his dominion is an everlasting dominion, which shall not pass away, and his kingdom one that shall not be destroyed.” It is an extraordinary portrait.
Jesus’ use of the title in Luke 9, however, directs us to the path he must tread to enter into his position of everlasting dominion. There he warns that, ‘‘The Son of Man must suffer many things and be rejected by the elders and chief priests and scribes, and be killed, and on the third day be raised.’’ The writer of Hebrews appropriates language from Psalm 8 to explain the significance: “‘What is man, that you are mindful of him, or the son of man, that you care for him? You made him for a little while lower than the angels; you have crowned him with glory and honor, putting everything in subjection under his feet’ . . . we see him who for a little while was made lower than the angels, namely Jesus, crowned with glory and honor because of the suffering of death, so that by the grace of God he might taste death for everyone” (Hebrews 2:6-9).
Why must the Son of Man tread such a path? Daniel’s vision depicts “a thousand thousands” serving the Ancient of Days, and “ten thousand times ten thousand” standing before him. For one to be numbered among that multitude he or she must first posses a righteousness sufficient to stand before such holiness. This Jesus accomplished for all who identify with him. His obedience to the will of the Father caused him to receive “the name that is above every name,” the name at which “every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth” (Philippians 2:9-10).
The Son of Man came into his authority by yielding himself to corrupt earthly authorities. They will be judged accordingly and receive their due punishment. But those who know him, who look and long for his glorious coming, of them he will not be ashamed to “call them brothers” (Hebrews 2:11).
