Right now we are going through are series of teachings from the Gospel of Mark. Jesus regularly refers to himself as The Son of Man which at first glance can appear rather enigmatic. I mean, isn’t everyone a son or daughter of man?! But of course Jesus is referring to the Messianic prophecy of Daniel 7:13-14:
As my vision continued that night, I saw someone like a son of man coming with the clouds of heaven. He approached the Ancient One and was led into his presence. 14 He was given authority, honour, and sovereignty over all the nations of the world, so that people of every race and nation and language would obey him. His rule is eternal–it will never end. His kingdom will never be destroyed.
In assuming the title of Son of Man Jesus was proclaiming himself to be THE son of man that Daniel foresaw, the coming Messiah who has been given all authority, honour and sovereignty by God Himself. He came to establish his eternal kingdom here on earth.
Yet the religious rulers of the time did not understand this claim of divinity by Jesus because he did not look the way they wanted Him too and He refused to play by their rules. He was so completely Holy and Other that they didn’t recognise Him.
The challenge we have observed so far in the book of Mark is having a willingness to accept Christ for who He is and not try to put him in the boxes we make for Him. He wants to ruffle our feathers just as much as He destroyed the religious systems of two thousand years ago. Will we let Him do that work in our lives?