Names of Jesus | Advent DevotionalSample

Tuesday, December 10
Matthew 17:1-23 | Son of Man
Author: David Bibee

Have you ever had an experience where you came away knowing with certainty you’d just encountered something unnatural? It seems almost everyone I’ve asked has some story of the supernatural or paranormal. One song describes the world and human nature, saying, “I am creation, both haunted and holy; made in glory.” The world is haunted. There are spiritual powers of darkness. We are haunted by our own nature’s bent toward sin. There’s surely more going on within and around us than what we ordinarily perceive. Sometimes, God pulls the curtain back, giving a glimpse into things no man can explain (2 Cor. 12:4).

On the Mount of Transfiguration, Jesus pulls back the curtain for his closest disciples. Jesus had done the same for Moses and Elijah on other mountains centuries before (Ex. 24, 1 Kgs. 19:9-18). At this point, the disciples understood that Jesus was the promised king. What they imagined was that he would marshal an army and mount an assault on the Roman garrisons surrounding Jerusalem, winning back independence from the pagan Empire. Perhaps he’d launch a reform of the temple and re-establish the biblical standards for sacrifice. They didn’t understand that Jesus had much bigger plans beyond what happened in Jerusalem.

Before their very eyes, Jesus began shining as brilliantly as the sun. This would be amazing enough, but then Elijah and Moses were there standing and talking with Jesus as well. Even more, they heard the voice of the Father from heaven proclaiming Jesus again as his beloved Son. I can imagine their hair stood on end. Their world had become a haunted and glorious place. They were standing on holy ground with ghosts and God himself.

Jesus refers to himself as the “Son of Man,” forbidding his disciples from telling anyone what they saw until after “the Son of Man is raised from the dead” (Matt. 17:9). Jesus told them that he would suffer at the hands of men, just as John the Baptist had. Still, he would be “raised on the third day” (Matt. 17:23). Most modern readers assume that “Son of God” is the most remarkable name used for Jesus. It’s true that he is God’s Son, but the “Son of Man” is even more significant, as surprising as that may seem.

The prophet Daniel foresaw the coming of “one like a son of man” (Dan. 7:13). Although this figure appeared to be just a man, Daniel saw him “with the clouds of heaven… he came to the Ancient of Days and was presented before him. And to him was given dominion and glory and a kingdom, that all peoples, nations, and languages should serve him; his dominion is an everlasting dominion, which shall not pass away, and his kingdom one that shall not be destroyed” (Dan. 7:13-14).

In Advent, we don’t merely celebrate the coming of a king. In Advent, we recognize that Jesus is the Son of Man, whom God has made King of all Kings. God has proved that Jesus is this King by raising him from the dead on the third day. As a result of his victory over death, Jesus ascended into the throne room of the Ancient of Days and was given dominion over all the earth. Now, all peoples, nations, and languages will come to serve him. Let us rejoice!