"For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: not of works, lest any man should boast." (Ephesians 2. 8-9)

 

OCTOBER 2026 CONTENTS

 
Editorial — Son of Man
Sermon — “Where art Thou?” (Genesis 3:9)
Gracious Counsel — Family Worship
Best Behaviour — Deacons
The Tradesman’s Defence
“She Came Softly”
Grace Labouring for Unity
Free Grace
Preaching Law and Gospel
Book Reviews
Matters of the Moment — An Accessible Church
Poetry — The Perfect Church
 
Cover image: Autumn Colours, Loughrigg Fell, near Ambleside. Photo by Jonny Gios on Unsplash.
 

Son of Man

In the Bible the title “son of man” is used almost exclusively for two people. 
The first was Ezekiel.  God repeatedly (93 times) addresses Ezekiel, “son of man.”  Although Ezekiel was a prophet, and one of the great prophets of Israel, whose prophecy remains one of the most profound passages of Scripture, God’s constantly addressing him as “son of man” must have been a continual reminder to him that he was only a man after all.  A man created by God and wholly dependent on Him.  A man made out of the dust of the earth, and who was returning to the dust. 
We too need reminders of our creatureliness.  Whatever privileges we have been given, in providence or in grace, we remain merely dust and dependent on our Creator.  It is a mercy if God reminds us each that we are only a “son of man.”  “Frail man! His days are as the grass.” 
Additionally, we must remember that we are not only weak creatures but rebellious sinners.  Our humanity is fallen humanity.  As descendants of Adam we are sinners and therefore destined to die, “for the wages of sin is death.”  Reminders of our creaturely weakness are often what the Lord uses to bring us to see our sinfulness.
For example, the Apostle Paul was reminded by the thorn in his flesh that he was only a “son of man.”  He had been greatly blessed and seen things he could not speak of.  But he tells us, “Lest I should be exalted above measure through the abundance of the revelations, there was given to me a thorn in the flesh, the messenger of Satan to buffet me.”  We need to be kept low.  We are naturally proud and want to keep the glory for ourselves.  God’s wisdom is to choose the weak and foolish things of this world to do His work, so that “no flesh should glory in his presence.”  Paul could see the reason for having treasure in earthen vessels, i.e., so that “the excellency of the power may be of God, and not of us.” 
Has the Lord been addressing you as, “Son of man”?  Of course, He no longer speaks to anyone with an audible voice, but has He been reminding you that you are dust, that you cleave to the dust, that you need Him to quicken you, and that without Him you can do nothing?  It is painful to us, as our old nature always wants to do something and be something, even if we imagine we want it for God’s glory.  Has the Lord allowed sin to rise up in you again, making you know your weakness in the face of temptation?  It is something we always want to be free from, but it is the voice which says to us, “Son of man.” “Remember, man, thy birth.”  How can we ever stand before God in our own strength and by our own righteousness?  As “sons of man” we are sinners before a holy God.  We need to be humbled more often, cut right down.   
Then the second person to whom this title is given in Scripture is Jesus.  This title is not given to Him by His Father.  The Father only ever calls Him “my Son.”  But Jesus calls Himself, “the Son of man” 81 times in the gospels.  For example, He told Zacchaeus, “The Son of man is come to seek and to save that which was lost.”
This sheds a beautiful light on Jesus.  Firstly, it is a statement of who He is.  He is really a “son of man” — really human — but with this vital difference, that He was also a divine person.  He was “made of a woman” and according to the flesh of the seed of David (Rom. 1:3).  He, who was God’s beloved and only begotten Son, came into this world and was made man.  O the glorious mystery of the incarnation!  In the womb of Mary the Son of God was conceived and made holy and sinless by the Holy Spirit, and took of her substance into union with His divine person.  He became “the Son of man.” 
Secondly, we may consider the way in which Jesus uses this title for Himself.  He calls Himself “the Son of man.”  He is willing to humble Himself to be a man for His people.  More than this, He was willing to be numbered with His people who were transgressors.  He is not ashamed to call His people brethren, even though they are sinners, but identifies with them.
Thirdly, the title conveys that Jesus stands in the same place as His people.  “When the fulness of the time was come, God sent forth his Son, made of a woman, made under the law, to redeem them that were under the law, that we might receive the adoption of sons.”  He became “the Son of man” so that His people would be able to become the children of God.  He came to seek and save that which was lost.  Jesus saves His people from their sins.
It is in Christ Jesus, “the Son of man,” that the sinner finds salvation.  Sinners may be reconciled to God and put among the children.  What a salvation!  “The Son of man” for a poor, sinful, “son of man.”  That is grace!
It is as “the Son of man” that Jesus speaks to Paul, as He reminds him by the thorn in the flesh that he is only a “son of man” and a poor sinner, and yet says, “My grace is sufficient for thee: for my strength is made perfect in weakness.”  Fortified with the grace of “the Son of man,” Paul could say, “Most gladly therefore will I rather glory in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me.” 
Similarly, when God has given Ezekiel a glorious vision, and reminded Ezekiel who he was ― only a “son of man” — He then says, “Stand upon thy feet” (2:1).  He warns Ezekiel that he is being sent to a rebellious people, and to a people who will not hear, but He tells Ezekiel, “I have made thy face strong against their faces, and thy forehead strong against their foreheads.” 
In much the same way, we who are likewise each a mere “son of man” must venture on the grace and merit of “the Son of man.”  Reminding you painfully of your intrinsic weakness and your sinful demerits, is the Lord’s way of drawing His people to find their strength alone in Him and thus enable them to walk in His ways. 
’Tis thus our pride and self must fall
That Jesus may be all in all.   

The Gospel Standard Baptist Library maintains a valuable collection of Reformed Christian books.