And I assure you that the time is coming, indeed it’s here now, when the dead will hear my voice—the voice of the Son of God. And those who listen will live. The Father has life in himself, and he has granted that same life-giving power to his Son. And he has given him authority to judge everyone because he is the Son of Man. (John 5:25-27)

Read: 1 Samuel 26:1 – 29:11, 1 Chronicles 12:1-7, 1 Chronicles 12:19, Psalm 56

Relate: More than five hundred years before Jesus makes this statement a man named Daniel had a vision. In that vision he saw One he called the Ancient of Days who sat on the throne of heaven. Before this throne came another Daniel called the Son of Man. This Son of Man was given all authority and all power and people from every land and kingdom bowed before this Son of Man and worshiped Him. Considering the fact that God alone is worthy of worship then both the Ancient of Days and the Son of Man are God. Jesus is very clearly alluding to this scripture in Daniel that all the religious leaders would know well when He refers to Himself as the Son of Man who had been given the authority to judge.

Just a few chapters before three of Daniel’s friends refused to bow down and worship an image of king Nebuchadnezzar. These three friends, Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah, were given a second chance with a warning that they were being watched. When they still refused the king has all three thrown into a fire. Funny thing, even though the fire was hot enough to kill the men who were ordered to throw them in, the the only thing on these three men that burned was the binds that held them. Even funnier, there was another man one in there with these three men. When Nebuchadnezzar looked into the fire he said “the fourth one looks like the Son of God.”

React: In this short portion of scripture Jesus claims for Himself two titles of divinity that come from the book of Daniel. As the Son of Man He has the power and authority to judge each and every one of us. Because He has been where we are and walked where we walked. He knows. As the Son of God He has the power and ability to protect us even through the hottest fires of our life. He is still with us where we’re at and is walking by our side. He cares.

Respond: 

God, You are God alone. You alone are worthy of all our worship. You alone are worthy of all our trust. Help us, help me to place my trust and give my worship to the only One worthy.