Title of this artwork is Son of Man. It was originally an encaustic piece but then changed to acrylic. It is an abstract in remembrance of Christ's sacrifice for us. The following are some thoughts that came to mind around the title by which Jesus referred to himself.
Son of Man, a title Jesus used often to refer to himself over any other titles. There are a few reasons for why the Son of Man holds so much meaning. In the following paragraphs we will take a look at the wonder of this title, this name Jesus took for himself.
Taking a step back to the Old Testament, we find that the term Son of Man is mentioned in at least three books: The Psalms, Ezekiel, and Daniel. In Psalm 80: 14-19, it is written, "Return to us, God Almighty! Look down from heaven and see! Watch over this vine, the root your right hand has planted, the son you have raised up for yourself. Your vine is cut down, it is burned with fire, at your rebuke, your people perish. Let your hand rest on the man at your right hand, the son of man you have raised up for yourself. Then we will not turn away from you; revive us, and we will call upon your name. Restore us, Lord God, make your face shine on us, that we may be saved."
In the book of Ezekiel, the term son of man is used 93 times, in this instance as reference to Ezekiel himself. Later in Daniel, we see that son of man takes on an even greater meaning. Daniel has a vision: "I saw in the night, visions, and behold with the clouds of heaven there came one like a son of
man, and he came to the Ancient of Days and was presented before him. And to him was given dominion, glory and a kingdom, and all the 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." (Daniel 7:13-14).
There are many many verses in the New Testament likewise about Jesus reference to the Son of Man regarding himself. The one I will focus on here is Matthew 20:28. "Just as the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give his life a ransom for many."
Jesus was humble. His was not a life of luxury. He was a carpenter and a teacher. And his teachings consistently connected with humanity and love for others. It has also been noted he served others much like a son serves his family. He showed his disciples time and again a life of a servant over being served as an example. Most importantly, Jesus purpose was to fulfill the will of the Father and that will was for Jesus to serve people in order to be the bridge to the Father, that by way of the Cross.
In the culture of the time, to those who understood it, the use of the name Son of Man could be interpreted as The Messiah. It has been remarked that had Jesus openly called himself their Messiah, it could have lead to his crucifixion much sooner. And he did in fact warn the disciples at that time to not tell anyone he was in fact the Messiah.
.So why does any of it matter? There are a list of reasons, but the main one is that since he is for us, and is now seated at the right hand of the power of God, this means we have a way to connect with God the Father and we can also make a difference in this
world we live in because of Christ.
Now remember I mentioned that Jesus was humble. He came in the name of his Father. Everything he did was according to his Father's will. In contrast there is one coming called the Antichrist. Anti here means instead of or in place of. The Antichrist will come in his own name. The Antichrist cares nothing about others, about humanity. We can see the spirit of Antichrist today in the way people are treated.
The Antichrist has no humility though he will be a man. Be warned!! Understand who Jesus was and is today and will be in the future. He is the Prince of Peace. He died so that there could be peace between us and the Father. He is the way, the truth and the life.
If you made it this far, thank you for your time and may your day be a blessed one.
Peace,
Sharon