It was lovely to welcome so many visitors to our service this morning, when our guest speaker this morning was Lawrence Mitchell, who preached on John chapter 12, focusing on verse 34, “Who is the Son of Man?” This is a title used throughout the Scriptures, as well as the Son of Abraham and the Son of David. He is the Messiah of Israel and the world. He is the Son of God and we rejoice in that. “For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whosoever believes in Him shall not perish but have everlasting life” (John 3:16). We believe in His deity, in the Trinity. In the previous chapter the Pharisees decided to put Him to death. The Council that met, the Sanhedrin, was made up of 71 mature men, yet they did not understand Jesus. They should have known and loved Him but it was the exact opposite. Jesus stood in their midst. They were afraid of their positions, of losing out. Throughout history many have tried to destroy the gospel, but it is an eternal gospel. When Paul stood before the Council he preached on the Resurrection; he was not afraid of offending them, he was willing to exalt and honour the Word of God. The Lord Jesus Christ was the source of the message that was preached and is preached.

Who is the Son of Man? Matthew tells us He was Lord of the Sabbath, the creator who is in complete control. Luke tells us He has come to seek and to save those who are lost. There was a day when we were lost, when we were outside the kingdom. We are lost without Christ. He gives us peace and wonderful blessings. In Mark’s gospel we find the Son of Man has power to forgive sins – no other religion has power to save and keep, only Jesus has power to save. We need to give all to Him, God requires all that we are. Turn to Him and trust in Him. He is the one that is coming back again. 1 Thessalonians 4: 16-17

“For the Lord Himself will descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of an archangel, and with the trumpet of God. And the dead in Christ will rise first. Then we who are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord I the air. And thus we shall always be with the Lord.”

What a hope, what a blessing we have!