Good Morning Friends,
“The Son of Man” can sound like a humble title, simply another way of saying that Jesus was human. But when Jesus used those words, especially at His trial, He was reaching back to one of the most breathtaking visions in the Old Testament.
Daniel saw heaven opened. Earthly kingdoms rise and fall, but above them all sits the Ancient of Days. Then another figure appears, “one like a son of man,” coming with the clouds and receiving an everlasting kingdom. Centuries later, standing before the high priest, Jesus identifies Himself with that very figure. This is more than a title. It is a theophany, a revelation of who God is and who Jesus truly is. So, Have you ever wondered who Jesus was claiming to be when He called Himself “the Son of Man”?
Scripture Summary
Daniel 7:9–14
Daniel sees the Ancient of Days seated in judgment, surrounded by fire and the heavenly court. Into His presence comes “one like a son of man” with the clouds of heaven. He is given dominion, glory, and a kingdom embracing every people and nation. Unlike earthly kingdoms, His rule will never pass away.
Matthew 26:63–64
At His trial, the high priest demands that Jesus declare whether He is the Messiah, the Son of God. Jesus responds by joining Daniel 7 with Psalm 110: from then on they will see the Son of Man seated at the right hand of Power and coming on the clouds of heaven.
Message: What an extraordinary moment. Jesus stands before a human court apparently helpless, while His accusers hold His life in their hands. But Jesus turns the courtroom upside down. In effect, He says: You think I am standing before your judgment. One day you will understand that I am the Son of Man before whom all earthly kingdoms are judged. Daniel had seen earthly empires depicted as beasts. Kingdoms come and kingdoms go. Rulers boast, nations struggle, and human power appears overwhelming. Yet Daniel is allowed to see behind the curtain. There is still a throne in heaven.
The Ancient of Days has not surrendered His throne. And the kingdom ultimately belongs to the Son of Man.
Then comes the astonishing revelation of the Gospel. The glorious Son of Man Daniel saw coming with the clouds is the same Jesus who stands bound before Caiaphas.
The Judge allows Himself to be judged.
The King allows Himself to be condemned.
The Lord of glory goes willingly to the cross.
This is where theophany becomes Gospel. Jesus does not establish His kingdom through the beastly methods of earthly kingdoms, through fear, coercion, or violence. He conquers through sacrificial love. The road from Daniel’s heavenly throne passes, mysteriously, through Calvary and the empty tomb. And that means our ultimate hope is never in who occupies an earthly throne. Presidents change. Governments change. Nations rise and fall. Cultures flourish and fade. But the Ancient of Days remains on His throne, and the Son of Man has been given an everlasting kingdom.
And So, Daniel looked forward and saw One coming on the clouds. Caiaphas looked across the courtroom and saw a condemned man. Faith looks at Jesus and sees both. The crucified Christ is the risen King. The suffering servant is the Son of Man. And the One who appeared powerless before His accusers is the One before whom every earthly power will finally bow. So, when the world seems chaotic and earthly kingdoms appear frighteningly powerful, remember Daniel’s vision:
Look beyond the beasts. Look beyond the kingdoms. Look beyond the chaos. There is a throne. And there is One like the Son of Man. Our King is coming.
Prayer
Ancient of Days,
when the kingdoms of this world seem powerful and the future uncertain, lift our eyes toward Your throne. Help us see Jesus not merely as teacher, prophet, or suffering servant, but as the Son of Man, our crucified and risen King. Give us courage to live faithfully in earthly kingdoms while belonging ultimately to His everlasting Kingdom. Until the day when every eye sees the King coming in glory, keep us faithful, hopeful, and unafraid.
Amen.
Blessings,
John Lawson
