Wednesday, 19 May, 2004

The focus of these devotions is switching to Walter Wink’s book “The Human Being.”



Wink’s book deals with the biblical title “the Son of Man” which he interprets as “the Son of the Man.” Here are a few pieces to bring us into a longer look at what he calls the enigma of the Son of the Man.



“Son of Man” appears 108 times in the Hebrew Scriptures, 93 of these uses in Ezekiel. Curiously, God refuses to call Ezekiel by his given name, but addresses him solely as “son of man.” No one else call Ezekiel by that name, only God.

The same expression appears in the New Testament some 87 times, all but three cases in the Gospels (Matthew, 31 times; Mark, 14; Luke, 26; John,13).

…Jesus is depicted as avoiding designation as messiah, son of God, or God, though his disciples gave these titles to him after his death and resurrection. But the Gospels repeatedly depict Jesus using the expression “the son of the man,” as virtually his only form of self-reference.



I know, some of you may be saying, “What does this have to do with a devotional piece?” First, it is some needed information as we begin a series of looking at, what I can think is, a powerful way to understand this title…but also Jesus…and yes, in turn, all of us as followers of Jesus. Then, it can be an adventure within our own contemplation to not let words and titles that are spoken among us simply slip by without some reflection that may expand our vision and our call to be followers of Jesus and children of God. Throughout all of this, we must remember that it is not our goal to somehow become divine. It is essential that we become human. That is how God created us. But then again, God creates us in God’s image which may give us a bit of an insight into how we as truly human are to blossom within this day.



Connection: We cannot begin with our own actions and thoughts as the center of who we are to be today. We are always being called to come into being in the shape of the one who calls us beloved. What is the difference between the two as we engage ourselves within the regular events of our lives?



Breathe into us the life that is only given by grace through your creative Spirit, O God. Lift us up to see who we are in your eyes and within that vision grant us power to live as your daughters and sons who love one another. Amen.