What does it mean when we call Jesus the “Son of God?” It simply means that he came from God, as God, in a miraculous way. He changed his form, lived as a human being, to become one of us for a time. In this way, he was able to show us what God would live like if he became a human being. Jesus claimed that when we see him, we see what God is like. It is a mystery, and we freely agree that no man can fully understand it. But it does mean that Jesus alone is the one true messenger from God. He is the one who can bring us understanding of God. We worship and praise him as he leads us to true knowledge of God. This Christ, the “Masih,” the Messiah, shows the character and nature of God in human form. This appearance of God as flesh among mankind is the work of God’s power. The Bible, in the Gospel stories, tells us this very clearly. Look at these verses from different parts of the Gospel:
Yet to all who received him, to those who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God—children born not of natural descent, nor of human decision or a husband’s will, but born of God. The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us. We have seen his glory, the glory of the One and Only, who came from the Father, full of grace and truth.… From the fullness of his grace we have all received one blessing after another. John 1.12-16
Before the birth of Jesus, this is what the angel told Mary, the human mother of Jesus Christ:
The angel answered, “The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you. So the holy one to be born will be called the Son of God.” Luke 1.35
Jesus said this about his mission and work:
“For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life. For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him.” John 3.16-17
The Apostle Paul said this about Jesus Christ as he was guided by the Holy Spirit to record the truth:
My purpose is that they may be encouraged in heart and united in love, so that they may have the full riches of complete understanding, in order that they may know the mystery of God, namely, Christ, in whom are hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge. Letter to the Colossians 2.2-3
We call Jesus Christ the Son of God because that is what the prophets and apostles his followers called him. We call him the Son of God because that is what he called himself. We call him the Son of God because it tells of the fullness of God found in Jesus. We accept this by faith. Is anything too hard for God? Listen to the Prophet Isaiah speaking over 700 years before the birth of Jesus:
Then Isaiah said, “Hear now, you house of David! Is it not enough to try the patience of men? Will you try the patience of my God also? Therefore the Lord himself will give you a sign: The virgin will be with child and will give birth to a son, and will call him Immanuel.” Isaiah 7.13-14
For to us a child is born, to us a son is given, and the government will be on his shoulders. And he will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. Of the increase of his government and peace there will be no end. He will reign on David’s throne and over his kingdom, establishing and upholding it with justice and righteousness from that time on and forever. The zeal of the LORD Almighty will accomplish this. Isaiah 9.6-7
Apostle Matthew remembered the prophecy made by Isaiah, and wrote this about the birth of Jesus:
All this took place to fulfill what the Lord had said through the prophet: “The virgin will be with child and will give birth to a son, and they will call him Immanuel”—which means, “God with us.” Matthew 1.22-23
Jesus is the power and person of God in a human body. He came to earth as a human being, lived, was nailed to a cross to die and was brought back to life to show us his power and his love. He came to offer himself as a sacrifice on the cross for our sins, and teach us how to live. The Bible makes this very, very clear.