The Titles of Jesus

2. Jesus likes to call himself the Son of Man because it keeps the Messianic Secret more than other titles that we see in the gospel. Other names, such as Son of God, were firstly blasphemous, but also they would have meant that people would know before they meet Him, that Jesus was the Messiah, and so would not come to faith independently. Another reason He uses this name because it also shows signs of Jesus’ character. It could be interpreted to show that Jesus is mortal, and therefore will have to die, fulfilling the prophecies. Another interpretation is that it shows His humility. As Jesus says in the Gospel, He came to serve not to be served. ‘Son of Man’ could also be taken to mean that Jesus is an ideal for humans and what we should aspire to be like Him. All of these interpretations are correct and this is why Jesus often calls himself ‘Son of Man’.

3. The Calming of the Storm would give hope to early Christians under persecution, as it can be seen as a parable. The wind and the waves represent the troubles and distractions of faith. Jesus calms the storm and so early Christians would know that Jesus would calm the persecutions they suffered. We learn that all we need to do is have faith. The disciples on the boat did not, and Jesus was angry about this. It teaches us all we need to know to become Christians – have faith and God will save you.

4. I think that all the titles used in the Gospel describe Jesus to a certain extent. ‘Son of David’ for example does make some sense. Jesus lead Israel into a new age, and he was also a descendant of David, however it is also unlike Jesus because it implies that he will be like David, a strong and prosperous king, and make Israel strong.

Another of Jesus’ titles, ‘Messiah’ or ‘Christ’ is also right in some respects in that Jesus was the chosen one, however for many at the time, the word had connotations for a zealot king, who would be a great warrior, and so this is also unlike Jesus.

The title ‘Son of Man’, which Jesus calls himself is accurate to Jesus as it shows, as I have explained above, Jesus’ humility, humanity and that he is an ideal for man kind. The one thing it does not plainly show us is Jesus link to the God and the fact that he is divine as well as mortal.

A title which does highlight this fact however is ‘Son of God’, it is appropriate as it highlights his divine nature, even though he is mortal. It shows he is part of the Trinity and explains why He has power on earth, such as the fact that He is Lord of the Sabbath, as he tells the Pharisees.