Articles
“The Son of God”
“The beginning of the gospel of Jesus Christ, the Son of God.”
Mark 1:1
The opening words of Mark’s gospel account contain the primary claims about Jesus’ identity which he then sets out to demonstrate. He claims Jesus is the “Christ,” the anointed king promised by God in the Old Testament, and that he is the divine “Son of God” (Mk. 15:39). But others are described as “sons of God” as well:
Humanity — In Luke’s genealogy of Jesus, he calls Adam “the son of God” (Lk. 3:38). This is Luke’s way of stating that Adam, who represents humanity, was created in the likeness of God (Gen. 1:27). In this general sense, all people are ‘sons of God’ (Acts 17:26).
Israel — Though all the world belonged to God, Israel was his special possession, his “son” (Ex. 4:22-23), whom he had chosen to reflect his character to the surrounding pagan nations (Ex. 19:4-6).
Angels — These spiritual beings were created to be God’s servants for our sake (Heb. 1:14). They are also called “sons of God” (Job 1:6; 38:7; Gen. 6:1ff?).
Kings — The sons of David were referred to as God’s “sons” in a unique sense.
After David had been king for seven years, ruling only the southern tribes of Judah and Benjamin in Hebron, he consolidated his reign over all twelve tribes and established Jerusalem as the capital. He then brought the tabernacle into the city and Israel enjoyed a period of peace and rest. One day, while relaxing in his palace, David felt that God should have a better “house” than the tent.
But instead of David building a “house” for God, God told David he would build him a “house” (2 Sam. 7:11). This was a pun. The word “house” could refer either to a dwelling place (what David wanted to build God) or a dynasty (what God would build for David). David wouldn’t make God great. God would exalt himself through David! Through David’s son, God would establish his everlasting kingdom (2 Sam. 7:12-14). And God said of David’s son(s), “I will be to him a father, and he shall be to me a son.” (2 Sam. 7:14)
The kings in David’s line were, therefore, “sons of God,” but only if they ruled like God. Sadly, none of the kings accurately reflected God’s righteous rule. But instead of taking the kingdom away from failed rulers, as he did previously to Saul, God promised never to take the kingdom away from David’s family (2 Sam. 7:15-16). Jews called this promise “the sure mercies of David” (2 Chron. 6:42; Isa. 55:3; Acts 13:34). On the day when one of David’s sons took the throne and reigned like God, the Scripture would be fulfilled, “You are my Son; today I have begotten you.” (Psa. 2:7; Psa. 89:26-27)
But this raised a difficult question. How could God possibly keep this promise? Either he would have to continue providing David with heirs to the throne indefinitely or he would have to provide an heir who would live forever. This is what Scripture pointed to with passages like Isaiah 9:6-7; Ezekiel 34:23-24; Psalm 110:1-2. Jesus came as David’s heir but also as God’s eternal Son to rule forever.
Jesus is the ultimate "Son of God" — Where David and the kings had failed to rule like God, Jesus succeeded. Where Israel had failed to be God’s servant, Jesus succeeded. And where all of humanity had failed to reflect God’s image, Jesus succeeded. He did so by emptying himself, becoming a little lower than the angels, and being the “Son of God” we failed to be. But after accomplishing his Father’s will, he sat down upon his heavenly throne having become even greater than the angels (Heb. 1-2).
Jesus is the “Son of God” we could never be. But amazingly, “in Christ Jesus you are all sons of God, through faith.” (Gal. 3:26) When we are united with Christ in faith and baptism (Gal. 3:27), we become God’s “sons” and heirs with Jesus to his infinite wealth! And God’s image, which was once marred by sin, can be restored.
