Saturday 26th November
Read John 5:24-27
“‘Very truly I tell you, whoever hears my word and believes him who sent me has eternal life and will not be judged but has crossed over from death to life.25 Very truly I tell you, a time is coming and has now come when the dead will hear the voice of the Son of God and those who hear will live.26 For as the Father has life in himself, so he has granted the Son also to have life in himself.27 And he has given him authority to judge because he is the Son of Man.” (NIVUK)
There are, according to Jesus, two reasons that when the dead respond to the voice of the Son of God they will live. The first is because just as the Father has life in Himself, so too does Jesus – as evidenced with the powerful word spoken in Cana that brought life to a boy near death in Capernaum. The second, additional reason, is just as important. Whilst the first points to Jesus divinity being co-extensive with the Father, the second reflects His true intermediary humanity.
‘Son of Man’ has two referents, and it is likely that both are drawn upon by Jesus. ‘Son of Man’ could simply mean human, descended from humanity, like us. And, to a certain important extent it does. However, as Carson points out, that is a little light on considering we too are all ‘sons of men’! The second referent is the one drawn upon throughout the New Testament and relies on Daniel 7.
“‘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. 14 He was given authority, glory and sovereign power; all nations and peoples of every language worshipped him. His dominion is an everlasting dominion that will not pass away, and his kingdom is one that will never be destroyed.” (Daniel 7:13-14) (NIVUK)
A human who has, through victory in some way, come before Yahweh, the Ancient of Days, and granted all authority to judge and reign. The Son of Man has already been mentioned by Jesus – as the one on whom the angels ascend and descend (the one who fully reveals the way to heaven) (John 1:51) and as the one lifted up (reflecting the nature of the victory that will ultimately result in universal rule) (John 3:14-15). In both instances, and likely in this instance also, the Son of Man is One who fully reveals Yahweh and hence can justly rule and judge all.
One can’t help but recall the truth revealed to John later. “Then I saw in the right hand of him who sat on the throne a scroll with writing on both sides and sealed with seven seals. 2 And I saw a mighty angel proclaiming in a loud voice, ‘Who is worthy to break the seals and open the scroll?’ 3 But no one in heaven or on earth or under the earth could open the scroll or even look inside it. 4 I wept and wept because no one was found who was worthy to open the scroll or look inside. 5 Then one of the elders said to me, ‘Do not weep! See, the Lion of the tribe of Judah, the Root of David, has triumphed. He is able to open the scroll and its seven seals.’” (Revelation 5:1-5) (NIVUK)
Because He is the Son of Man, He is worthy in every way!
