WHEN JESUS CALLED
HIMSELF THE ‘SON OF MAN’
IT ALLOWED HIM TO SAY
CERTAIN THINGS ABOUT
HIMSELF AS THE SUFFERING,
YET GLORIOUS MESSIAH.
I
n Matthew 26:57-68 Jesus stands before the
High Priest Caiaphas, who is fishing for a false
testimony against him. But nothing seems to
stick. Exasperated, he asks Jesus if he is really
claiming that he is the Christ, the Son of God.
Jesus responds affirmatively, “It is as you said.
Nevertheless, I say to you, hereafter you will see the
Son of Man sitting at the right hand of the Power,
and coming on the clouds of heaven.”
This is enough for Caiaphas to sentence Jesus to
death, although he doesn’t actually have the authority
to order Jesus killed. He needs the Romans for that.
Today, the courtroom drama seems like one of the
most popular genres on TV, and it certainly can
produce many dramatic scenes, even when the
condemned would not normally be hit or spat at, as
Jesus was.
I remember my first time in court: I was speaking as a
character witness for a church member caught drink
driving. He accepted his wrongdoing but asked for
lenient sentencing. I learned that it is good to have
someone speak up for you in court. An advocate can
really make a difference in sentencing!
But there was no one to speak up for Jesus. He
didn’t even speak up for himself. Initially, he remained
➜
Revival Times June 2017 7