The Son Of Man

The “Son of Man” destroyed the works of the devil (Hebrews 2:14), therefore we have victory! The Handbook to Bible Study says, “We do not have to look very far to realize that our planet with its societies is in poor condition . . . [There is a sense] that we are overwhelmed by life and cannot overcome our weakness, particularly in regard to the sin that besets us . . . It is against this background that God’s provision comes, the encouragement of a name for the incarnate Lord Jesus Christ – Son of Man. Above all, it stresses God knows just what it is like to be human . . . Son of Man highlights His humanity, humility, and finiteness [in human form] . . . It is this title of Son of Man, then, that should be especially dear to us in our humanity . . . Should we ever feel that life has no point, we must recall that with the Son of Man we have a glorious future."(13)

We have victory in eternity because we have been given eternal life, but we also have victory in this life, in the here-and-now! This is because we have the perfect role model to look to as an example of how this present life can be lived. Hebrews 4:15 declares, “For we do not have a High Priest who cannot sympathize with our weaknesses, but was in all points tempted as we are, yet without sin.” The “Son of Man,” Jesus, was an overcomer; therefore, we too can be overcomers! Through His life and teaching, Jesus set an example of what is possible for all the “sons of men,” after they have been perfected through Christ and been made the “righteousness of God in Christ” (2 Corinthians 5:21).

We read in Psalm 8:4-6, “What is man that You are mindful of him, and the son of man that You visit him? For You have made him a little lower than the angels, and You have crowned him with glory and honor. You have made him to have dominion over the works of Your hands; You have put all things under his feet.” This passage might be referring to how God has given dominion to the Messiah and has put all things under His feet. Perhaps, it addresses mankind to whom God said in Genesis 1:29, “Fill the earth and subdue it; have dominion . . . over every living thing that moves on the earth.” But even if this passage is only addressed to Jesus, He is our role model.

Psalm chapter 8 speaks of having dominion; and here are a few things we read in the New Testament about the authority of the believer. Paul said in Romans 16:20, “And the God of peace will crush Satan under your feet,” and in Luke 10:19, Jesus said, “Behold, I give you the authority to trample on serpents and scorpions, and over all the power of the enemy.” Like Jesus, we have been given dominion over the earth and authority over the devil. Because of what “the” Son of Man has done, all sons of men are victorious; both in eternity and in this present life!

Did you know that Jesus bestows His own authority and power on us? In the Great Commission, Jesus said, “All authority has been given to Me in heaven and on earth. Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations” (Matthew 28:18-19). What we see here is a transfer of authority. In Mark’s version of the Great Commission, we read in Mark 16:17-18, “And these signs will follow those who believe: In My name they will cast out demons; they will speak with new tongues; they will take up serpents; and if they drink anything deadly, it will by no means hurt them; they will lay hands on the sick, and they will recover.” We are given Christ’s authority to share the gospel; but also, to cast out demons and heal the sick! If this is not victory, then I don’t know what is!