“It isn’t until the New Testament that we see the title Son of God applied to the Messiah. Such a title was largely off the prophetic radar. It would have been like announcing a smartphone in the Middle Ages. The exact phrase ‘Son of God’ is nowhere to be found in the Old Testament. . . . However, for an individual to claim this title . . . was either the height of blasphemy or something entirely unprecedented in human history.”- Kyle Idleman and Mark E. Moore
Kyle Idleman and Mark E. Moore continue Chapter 6 of The Missing Messiah with this statement. That the phrase “Son of God” never appears in the Old Testament. Certainly, Hosea 11:1 called Israel as God’s “son” in a collective sense. In addition, Exodus 4:22-23 refers to Israel as God’s “firstborn” son.
Kind of like saying, Kyle and Mark quip, that “we’re all God’s children” at summer camp. However, for Jesus to claim that title was a far different matter. Hence, the idea of the “Son of God” became central in the Christian writing. Most significantly, three of the four Gospels identify Jesus as the Son of God in the very first chapter (see Mark 1:1, Luke 1:35, and John 1:34).
Consequently, the authors notes, this:
- signaled to readers that this title is the key to understanding Jesus’ identity and vision.
- immediate focus suggests that the early Christian community saw something unprecedented in Jesus’ relationship to God the Father.
In conclusion, Kyle and Mark explain:
“By associating [the title Christ (or Messiah)] with Son of God, the New Testament writers broadened and redefined messianic ideas to include divine sonship in a way that went beyond traditional expectations. So often we start with ourselves and define Jesus in relation to who we are or what we need. But we can’t understand ourselves or our community without the context of the Messiah and his divine sonship. If we want to be God’s children, it begins with knowing Jesus as the Son of God.”
Today’s question: How do you witness to people who fail to see Jesus on the prophetic radar? Please share.
Tomorrow’s blog: “Messiah – more than we ever imagined”