Lesson One: The title Son of Man reveals Jesus’ majesty.
• When Jesus repeatedly called himself the Son of Man—he was quietly revealing his identity. He is the Messiah. He is the King. He is the One Israel had been waiting for.
Daniel 7:13–14, In my vision at night I looked, and there before me was one like a son of man, coming with the clouds of heaven. He approached the Ancient of Days and was led into his presence. He was given authority, glory and sovereign power; all nations and peoples of every language worshiped him. His dominion is an everlasting dominion that will not pass away, and his kingdom is one that will never be destroyed.
Every statement is another declaration that Jesus is the fulfillment of Daniel’s prophecy.
“The Son of Man has authority to forgive sins.”
“The Son of Man is Lord of the Sabbath.”
“You will see the Son of Man coming in glory.”
Teaching Truths
• The Son of Man is a Messianic title.
• Jesus intentionally identified himself with Daniel’s prophecy.
• His kingdom is eternal.
• His authority belongs to God alone.
Application
Jesus is not merely someone to admire. He is the King to whom every life must ultimately bow.
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Lesson Two: The title Son of Man reveals Jesus’ humanity.
• When Jesus chose the title “Son of Man,” he wasn’t only revealing his identity—he was revealing his life among us. He is not distant, abstract, or detached—he is God who stepped into real human experience, and paid the real price for our sin.
John 1:14, The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us.
Hebrews 2:14-18, Now since the children have flesh and blood, He too shared in their humanity, so that by His death He might destroy him who holds the power of death, that is, the devil, and free those who all their lives were held in slavery by their fear of death. For surely it is not the angels He helps, but the descendants of Abraham. For this reason He had to be made like His brothers in every way, so that He might become a merciful and faithful high priest in service to God, in order to make atonement for the sins of the people. Because He Himself suffered when He was tempted, He is able to help those who are being tempted.
The Gospels don’t read like myth—they read like history…real places, real rulers, real suffering, real joy, and real life. This is not symbolic storytelling—this is the record of a real life lived in a real world.
Teaching Truths
• The Son of Man affirms the full humanity of Jesus.
• The Gospels are historical accounts, not mythological narratives.
• There is no part of human experience he is distant from.
• Jesus experienced every dimension of human life without sin—and because he is fully human and fully holy, he alone can stand in our place and provide salvation through his perfect sacrifice.
Application
You don’t follow a distant idea—you follow a Savior who entered your world…and because he lived as one of us—he understands you fully, meets you personally, and saves you completely.
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Lesson Three: The title Son of Man reveals Jesus’ heart.
• Jesus took on humanity to draw near to us. The title “Son of Man” is not just about identity or incarnation—it’s about access, and relationship to the God of heaven.
Hebrews 4:15, For we do not have a high priest who is unable to empathize with our weaknesses, but we have one who has been tempted in every way, just as we are—yet he did not sin.
Matthew 11:28-29, Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls.
There is nothing in your life that surprises him, overwhelms him, or disqualifies you from him.
He understands anxiety.
He understands grief.
He understands betrayal.
He understands exhaustion.
He understands silence from heaven.
He understands what it feels like to be abandoned, accused, and crushed.
And because he understands—he is not asking you to perform your way into his presence—he is inviting you to come honestly into it.
Teaching Truths
• Jesus is able to sympathize with human weakness.
• The incarnation means real empathy, not distant observation.
• Jesus invites honest relationship, not religious performance.
• His heart toward people has not changed.
Application
You don’t have to hide to come to Jesus—you just have to come…because the Son of Man doesn’t just reveal God’s power—he reveals God’s heart for you.
