SON OF GOD

 

SON OF GOD

The Unique Sonship of Jesus

Understanding the Title "Son of God"

While the term “sons of God” appears in the Hebrew Scriptures, the Greek phrase “Son of God” (Huios tou Theou) is uniquely attributed to Jesus. He made it clear that he and the Father are one. His claim to divinity led to accusations of blasphemy and ultimately to his crucifixion. However, Jesus’ resurrection affirmed his identity as the Son of God in a profound way.

Jesus is not God’s Son in the traditional sense of human sonship, where one person precedes another. Instead, he shares God’s very nature and perfectly represents the Father’s intentions. This divine identity enables him to embody God on earth fully. The voice from heaven declared during both Jesus’ baptism and the transfiguration, “This is my Son, whom I love” (Matthew 3:17). Even demons recognized Jesus as the Son of God (Matthew 8:29). Given the political implications of this title, Jesus often refrained from using it until the end of his earthly ministry.

Recognizing Jesus as the Son of God became a foundational belief in the early church, which baptized those who confessed this truth. This understanding highlights that through our relationship with Christ, we are adopted as children of the Father.

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Praying to the Son of God

A poignant example of honoring parental relationships can be found in a story about my friend, Kathy. Her ninety-three-year-old mother was eagerly awaiting her Christmas visit, but when Kathy arrived late, her mother expressed her frustration. Rather than arguing or justifying her tardiness, Kathy humbly responded, “I’m sorry, Mom. I should have been here sooner.” This act of grace reflected the behavior of an ideal child, aligning with the expectations we have as children of our heavenly Father.

As believers, we are called to reflect our new identity as God’s children. This is not merely metaphorical but a spiritual truth. But how do we embody this identity? We can look to Jesus, the perfect model of a child who pleased the Father. He instructed us with teachings such as:

• “Love your enemies, and pray for those who persecute you. In this way, you show that you are children of your Father in heaven.” (Matthew 5:44-45)
• “If you forgive others for their failures, your heavenly Father will also forgive you.” (Matthew 6:14)
• “Be merciful as your Father is merciful.” (Luke 6:36)

Repeatedly, Jesus encourages us to emulate the Father, to grow into his likeness, and to exhibit a family resemblance in our character.

To truly understand what pleases God, we must know who the Father is. Jesus teaches us this truth: “The person who has seen me has seen the Father.” (John 14:9) By studying Jesus and allowing the Son of God to guide us, we can become children who bring delight to the Father.

Father, thank you for making me your child. Help me to be confident in your love, even amid my shortcomings, so that I continue to strive to be like you and like Jesus, your Son, who is my Lord and Savior.

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Promises Associated with the Name

“The Lord Almighty says, ‘I will be your Father, and you will be my sons and daughters.’” (2 Corinthians 6:18)

“But when the right time came, God sent his Son into the world. A woman gave birth to him, and he came under the control of the laws given to Moses. God sent him to pay for the freedom of those who were controlled by these laws so that we would be adopted as his children. Because you are God’s children, God has sent the Spirit of his Son into us to call out, ‘Abba! Father!’ So you are no longer slaves but God’s children. Since you are God’s children, God has also made you heirs.” (Galatians 4:4-7)

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Conclusion

Recognizing Jesus as the Son of God encompasses profound theological truths that shape our understanding of our identity as children of God. Through our faith in Christ, we are invited into a personal relationship with the Father, allowing us to experience His love and grace. By striving to emulate the character of Christ, we reflect the divine nature of our Heavenly Father and fulfill our calling as His beloved children. Through prayer and learning from Jesus, we can embody this identity and impact the world around us with His love.