Something that has been scratching my brain, and consistently reminding me of the amazing grace and goodness of the heart of the Father is the authority that the "son of man" is given. Many of us are familiar with the term "son of man" because it is the title that Jesus MOST OFTEN uses to refer to Himself. However, it is also the most common way that Ezekiel hears himself being addressed by the LORD.
The LORD said to me "Son of man, prophesy to Israel’s mountains. Give them this message: O mountains of Israel, hear the word of the LORD!" (Ezk 36...)
Yet, this is also the title that Daniel uses in his famous Messianic prophecy when he says "I saw him on the throne like the Son of Man" in Daniel 7:13. Which is where Jesus is hypothesized to have gotten this idea of being the Son of Man. However, this is also what you and I are. Son of men, seated on a throne, flying around the Heavens, because we are seated in Christ. We are seated in Messiah. So I think when Jesus says things to the Pharisees like "Don't you know that the son of man has authority to forgive even the sins here on earth?" He was also giving us that authority. Or "just as the son of man has authority to forgive, so he has authority to forgive on the sabbath." It's intense to think about what authority we've been given, seemingly flippantly. Then again we have to remember that before we fell all of the authority in regards to ruling and subduing the earth was given to us.
When was it revoked? Many theologians make the argument that we willingly gave it to the enemy, which isn't necessarily wrong, but I believe Jesus not only came to win that authority back, to propitiate our iniquities and transgressions but also to show us the authority we've had on earth all along. The authority that we have when we work in complete submission and obedience to the Father.
This is the essence of the Heart of the Son. That formula of complete obedience, humility, grace, and truth and in our case, repentance, is the key to understanding the Son. As we realize more that we've been called to sonship, we must seek to understand the authority that we're freely being given. We must pursue at all costs the intimacy we are given access to. This means finding our fulfillment in, becoming one with, being totally obedient to, and radically in love with our Dad. There are some things I'd really like for you to think about during this series. A few questions to ask yourself: Do you know the authority that you've been given? Have you truly tried to fathom the potential of the authority that you have been given?
If our authority starts with intimacy we must recognize that intimacy requires striving to His rest. (Heb 4) That laying supine before the Lord, being completely vulnerable to His searching our hearts, and being willing to submit all of our desires to Him is the first step to becoming complete (greek word for perfect 'teleios' Matt 5:48) and engrossing ourselves with His love for us. One of the things that I've been learning a lot lately is the satisfaction is loving the Lord completely and letting His love wash over me completely. This is important to me to be more complete. I am learning to not just act like a son, doing all the things that make me a son, but really truly being a son. It is essential to our walk. To walk in Love.
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