In ancient times sons got their identity from their fathers. They did the same work and were trained by their fathers. For example, Jesus was known as “the carpenter’s son” (Mt. 13:55NLT). And many characters in the Bible are named as “the son of” their father.

There are pattern prophecies (typology) in the Old Testament about Jesus being the Son of God that are only evident in hindsight. Here the word “son” is a metaphor indicating a close relationship, not a biological one.

God was to have a father – son relationship with Solomon and the other kings of Judah who were descendants of David – “I will be his father, and he will be my son” (2 Sam. 7:14). They were meant to have a close relationship with God the supreme ruler.

Psalm 2 was written by king David for the coronation of the kings of Judah who were his descendants. In the New Testament it is applied to Jesus Christ, who was David’s greatest descendant.

In Psalm 2 God says, “I have placed my chosen king on the throne in Jerusalem” (v.6NLT). And God tells the king “You are my son. Today I have become your Father. Only ask, and I will give you the nations as your inheritance, the whole earth as your possession. You will break them with an iron rod and smash them like clay pots.” (7-9).

This is a proclamation about a new king’s rule. God has adopted the Davidic king as His Son. And this king will rule over the whole earth.

Verse 7 in Psalm 2 is applied to the resurrection (Acts 13:33). Jesus was shown to be the Son of God in the power of His resurrection. Paul said, “He [Jesus] was shown to be the Son of God when He was raised from the dead by the power of the Holy Spirit” (Rom. 1:4). He was born in weakness but was raised with power. The power of the resurrection set Jesus apart and verified His deity. At the resurrection God inducted the Son into His royal status as King of the Universe. Thereafter He sits and rules at God’s right hand in heaven. And He has the legal right to inherit creation from the Father at His second coming, when He will rule over the earth.

At the beginning and end of Christ’s ministry He is said to be the Son of God. At His baptism, God said that Jesus was His Son (Mk. 1:11). And after Christ’s death the centurion said, “this man truly was the Son of God!” (Mk. 15:39). Only Jesus is the perfect Son of God because “Whatever the Father does, the Son also does” (Jn. 5:19).

During His trial, the Sanhedrin asked Jesus, “Are you then the Son of God?”. And Jesus answered, “Yes, I am” (Lk. 22:70).

The book of John was “written so that you may continue to believe that Jesus is the Messiah, the Son of God, and that by believing in Him you will have life by the power of His name” (Jn. 20:31).

So let’s thank God for sending Jesus as the Son of God.

Prayer

Father God, we acknowledge that the kings of Judah were not good examples of sons of God – they generally didn’t seem to have a close relationship with you.

Thanks for sending Jesus as the perfect Son of God who could die for our sins and rise again in great power over sin and death. So, we offer thanks and praise for all that you have done through Jesus. In Christ’s name, Amen.

G Hawke