Inexplicable

Read: Daniel 7:1-14

I saw someone like a son of man coming with the clouds of heaven. He approached the Ancient One and was led into his presence. He was given authority, honor, and sovereignty over all the nations of the world, so that people of every race and nation and language would obey him. Daniel 7:13-14

IN WORD

No wonder Daniel was disturbed. A faithful Jew can accept no other God but God and, as reflected in the Shema of ancient Israel, God is one (Deuteronomy 6:4). Hebrew Scripture and the Jewish faith are first and foremost an emphatic statement of monotheism. Yet in Daniel’s vision, someone like a son of man—a human figure in the divine court—approached the Ancient One, entered His presence freely, was given authority, glory, sovereignty, and most shocking of all, worship. Just as Isaiah envisioned a child who would be called “Mighty God” and “Everlasting Father” (Isaiah 9:6), Daniel witnessed inexplicable plurality and humanity in the deity. Someone other than God, yet somehow God-like, received the power and glory due only to God.

That’s why Jesus kept referring to Himself as the Son of Man. He was clearly invoking Daniel’s vision and applying it to Himself. He was like man and like God, Son of both, God in His very nature but not clinging to the privileges of deity (Philippians 2:6). Theologians still have trouble explaining that, but God doesn’t have to accommodate Himself to finite minds. The divine King has a Son, who is given the earth as an inheritance. Its power, its authority, its glory, its people, its nations, even its worship—all are handed over to someone other than the Ancient of Days. Yes, this is truly a remarkable scene.

IN DEED

It still is. It will forever be remarkable because a God who celebrates the diversity of His creation chooses to connect with His multitude of creatures at a level we can’t comprehend. Between the human landscape and this dazzling vista of heaven stands a figure who can identify with both. And a solution to the troubles of earth begins to be seen.

ADDITIONAL READING: Philippians 2:5-11

The incarnation is the most stupendous event which ever can take place on earth.

JOHN HENRY NEWMAN