Luke : Day 19

Read Luke 9: 1-27

Disney’s 1999 animation Tarzan features a song by Phil Collins called ‘Son of Man’. Most Disney fans probably don’t know that the title ‘Son of Man’ is from the Bible! At this point in Luke, Jesus had used it many times, referring to Himself.

Was he just emphasizing His humanity? What does it mean? We can find out by going to the Old Testament prophecy of Daniel, where the prophet described an unusual scene: Someone ‘like a son of man’ (meaning someone with a human appearance) comes ‘with the clouds of heaven’ to God, who is sitting on His throne (Daniel 7:9-14). This son of man is given ‘authority, glory and sovereign power’ and a kingdom which will never be destroyed, and is worshipped by people from every nation.

So when Jesus described Himself as the Son of Man, He was referencing this prophecy and declaring Himself to be the person given kingship by God the Father – the person who is worshipped along with the Father.

When Peter declared that Jesus was God’s Messiah (verse 20), Jesus explained some things to His disciples that He hadn’t told them yet. He knew that He would be rejected and killed, just as John the Baptist had been by this point (verse 9). But He also told them He would be raised back to life (verse 22)!

Jesus’ mission was hard. It will also be hard for people who follow Him. Christians through history have lost their lives because of their beliefs, something that still happens in parts of the world today. Following Jesus means giving Him our lives and obeying Him, no matter what (verses 23-24). But Jesus also explained that He will return in glory, and the Bible teaches that those who are part of His kingdom will live in joy forever (Matthew 21:34).

“Whoever wants to be my disciple must deny themselves and take up their cross daily and follow me.”

Luke 9:23