Behind the Church is the reason for our existence. Empowered by a new kingdom, a divine power that enables the passion for the lost and the least, the mystery of the miraculous coming from another world led by Jesus who is not meek and mild, a spiritual leader, a guru, or a man who walked this earth but One who carries titles that no one on earth can carry, one of which is the Son of Man.
Jesus has told us that without the cross there is no discipleship. But as cross-carrying disciples there will come a day when we will receive our reward. It will all be worth it in the end. Whether that is at the end of our life or when the Son of Man comes in glory we will all give an account for this life, how we have loved God and loved others.
“For the Son of Man is going to come in his Father’s glory with his angels, and then he will reward each person according to what they have done.” (Matthew 16 v 27)
This title, ‘Son of Man’ is powerfully important to the reader of the gospel and so for us.
Six hundred years before God walked this earth as a man, Babylon is rising as a super power and begins expanding its empire. The city of Jerusalem is taken and that’s how the book of Daniel opens: “In the third year of the reign of Jehoiakim king of Judah, Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon came to Jerusalem and besieged it.”
This is devastation. This is humiliation. That the people of God should be overtaken and overruled by the people of the world.
In 7:13-14 Daniel (a student of Jeremiah taken into exile) has a vision: “In my vision at night I looked, and there before me was one like a son of man,coming with the clouds of heaven. He approached the Ancient of Days and was led into his presence. He was given authority, glory and sovereign power; all nations and peoples of every language worshipped him. His dominion is an everlasting dominion that will not pass away, and his kingdom is one that will never be destroyed.”
Daniel so often seen isolated, standing for God in the midst of a wicked society sees an army. Thousands upon thousands ministering to HIM. Ten thousand times ten thousand standing before HIM.
As a disciple, laying your life down in a broken world, difficult that this may be, do not be ashamed of Jesus! Hold on to the Son of Man, to God. For you are not alone. Ultimate victory is not only God’s it is ours too, so continue to carry that cross.
Whatever besieges you, even if your very life is taken from you, the Son of Man is waiting for you and will reward you for carrying the cross. You belong to another world.
Missions Paul 