John 3:13

How constantly our Master used the title, the “Son of Man!” If he had chosen, he might always have spoken of himself as the Son of God, the Everlasting Father, the Wonderful, the Counsellor, the Prince of Peace; but see the humility of Jesus! He prefers to call himself the Son of Man.

Let us learn a lesson of humility from our Saviour; let us never seek great titles or proud degrees. There is here, however, a far sweeter thought. Jesus loved humanity so much that he delighted to honour it; and since it is a high honour, and indeed, the greatest dignity of humanity, that Jesus is the Son of Man, he often displays this name, so that he may, as it were, hang royal stars upon the breast of humanity and show the love of God to Abraham’s descendants.

Son of Man—whenever he said that word, he shed a halo around the head of Adam’s descendants. Yet there is perhaps a more precious thought still. Jesus Christ called himself the Son of Man to express his oneness and sympathy with his people. He thus reminds us that he is the one whom we may approach without fear.

As a man, we may take to him all our griefs and troubles, for he knows them by experience; in that he himself has suffered as the “Son of Man,” he is able to help and comfort us.

All hail, blessed Jesus! Since You are always using the sweet name which acknowledges that You are a brother and a near kinsman, it is to us a dear sign of Your grace, Your humility, Your love.

“Oh see how Jesus trusts himself
Unto our childish love,
As though by his free ways with us
Our earnestness to prove!
His sacred name a common word
On earth he loves to hear;
There is no majesty in him
Which love may not come near.”