Jesus, Son of Man

“For there is one God and one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus.”

1 Timothy 2:5

I love the way that Jesus was such close friends with John. Their friendship was intimate and powerful, close and sweet. While on earth, they were inseparable. John was the only man who stayed by the cross.

I also love the way that Jesus was such close friends with Mary, sister of Martha. He deferred to her. Lavished accolades on her. He even memorialized her when she wiped his feet with her tears.

When I look at these warm and intimate friendships, my heart fills with praise that Jesus was… a man. A man of flesh-and-blood reality. His heart felt the sting of sympathy. His eyes glowed with tenderness. His arms embraced. His lips smiled. His hands touched. Jesus was male!

Jesus invited us to relate to him as the Son of Man. And because he is fully man, we can relate to Jesus with affection and love. It would be hard to trust God if he were only Prime Mover, First Cause, or Source of All with no respect to gender. It would be impossible to love a Lord who is only some vague, hazy theological concept.

The essence of Christianity is knowing Jesus Christ the Lord as priest and king, head and husband, shepherd and life-giver. He is cornerstone of the church; that is, his body and bride and building. Knowing the Son of Man in all these respects has a relational and affectional dimension – yes, we can love God, and yes, we can love a Man.

Thank you that, as the Son of Man, you understand every human passion, you feel every hurt, and you sympathize with every tear. O, Jesus, may your favor of friendship rest upon me.