Jesus took Peter, James, and John to a high mountain, and there he was transfigured before their eyes. His face shone like the sun. His clothes became as white as the light. Moses and Elijah appeared and talked with Jesus. While they were speaking together, a bright cloud surrounded them, and God’s voice spoke from the cloud, saying, “This is my beloved Son, with whom I am well pleased; listen to him.” The disciples were terrified and fell facedown on the ground. On the way down the mountain, Jesus commanded them,

Matthew 17:9
…”Tell no one the vision, until the Son of Man is raised from the dead.”

Son of Man was Jesus’ favorite title for himself. Just like the name Son of God described Jesus as being the same essence and nature as God, so the Son of Man described Jesus as being the same essence and nature as man, with one exception — he was perfect. He never sinned in word, thought, or deed.

Jesus was the Son of God (fully God) and the Son of Man (fully man). In being man, he lost none of his deity; in being God, he lived in full humanity. These truths make Jesus the only One who could die for humanity’s sin. He was sinless—the only One who did not have to pay for his own sins; he was man—the only One who could die as our sinless substitute. That’s why Jesus is not just a good way to God or one of many ways to God. Jesus, Son of God and Son of Man is the only way that sinful mankind can have an eternal relationship with the holy God.

Lord Jesus,
Thank you for dying in my place. Thank you for taking my sin upon your sinless body. Thank you for doing what I could never do for myself.
In your name, I pray. Amen.