JESUS CALLED HIMSELF THE "SON OF MAN". WHY CALL HIM THE "SON OF GOD"?

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To begin, a word study of the term “son of…” indicates that it can mean “of the order of” in certain contexts. The phrase is often used in this way in the Old Testament. For example, “sons of the prophets” meant “of the order of prophets” (1 Kings 20:35). “Sons of the singers” meant “of the order of singers” (Nehemiah 12:28 KJV).

 In the Old Testament, the bible used the phrase, "Son of Man" to refer to humanity (i.e. "of the order of humans"). In the Gospels, Jesus refers to Himself as “the Son of Man” (in third person) 77 times. The Son of Man is a title that he used exclusively in the New Testament. His disciples never addressed Him as such. Jesus used it to emphasize His humanity. 

 It is also a designation of the Messiah. This goes back to the Book of Daniel where the Son of Man would inherit the everlasting kingdom of God.

(Daniel 7:13-14): I saw in the night visions, and, behold, one like the Son of man came with the clouds of heaven, and came to the Ancient of days, and they brought him near before him. And there was given him dominion, and glory, and a kingdom, that all people, nations, and languages, should serve him: his dominion is an everlasting dominion, which shall not pass away, and his kingdom that which shall not be destroyed.

 At His trial Jesus acknowledged that He indeed was the Son of Man, the one who would bring in God's everlasting kingdom.

 Matthew 26:64 Jesus saith unto him, Thou hast said: nevertheless I say unto you, Hereafter shall ye see the Son of man sitting on the right hand of power, and coming in the clouds of heaven.

 Likewise, “Son of God,” used of Christ, in several New Testament verses means “of the order of God” and represents a claim to undiminished deity. Ancient Semites and Orientals sometimes used the phrase “son of…” to indicate likeness or sameness of nature and equality of being. 

 Despite calling Himself the Son of Man, Jesus was, by no means, claiming to be lesser in nature than the Father! When the religious leaders heard His words in Matt 26:64, they accused Him of blasphemy; that He was making Himself equal with God.

 Also when Jesus told the religious leaders in John 10:30, “I and My Father are One,” they tried to kill Him. They knew He was claiming to be God.

 Jesus said to them in John 8:58-59 “Most assuredly, I say to you, before Abraham was, I AM.” Then they took up stones to throw at Him; but Jesus hid himself and went out of the temple, going through the midst of them, and so passed by.

 I AM is the name of God that was given to Moses in the burning bush about 1600 years before Jesus’ lifetime. Jesus was claiming to be the One that spoke to Moses out of the burning bush, calling Himself I AM. By identifying Himself as I AM, Jesus was not only claiming to be the one that gave Moses the Law and directed him to lead the Israelites out of Egypt, but also the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob...the One whom the Jews worshiped!

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