Christ the Son of God and Son of Man

1. Christ in the Gospel of Matthew:
His Holiness Pope Shenouda III explains that the Gospel of Matthew focuses on proclaiming Jesus Christ as the King of the Jews, the awaited Messiah, and the Son of God in whom the prophecies were fulfilled. This Gospel was written mainly for the Jews to affirm His divine and royal identity.

2. Testimonies to the Sonship of Christ:
The Pope cites several examples from Matthew where Christ’s divine Sonship is revealed:

• At His baptism, when the Father declared, “This is My beloved Son.”

• When He walked on water, and the disciples worshiped Him, saying, “Truly You are the Son of God.”

• When Peter confessed, “You are the Christ, the Son of the living God.”
  Christ Himself affirmed it before the high priest, saying, “You will see the Son of Man sitting at the right hand of Power.”

3. The Divine Meaning of Sonship:
This Sonship is not symbolic but reveals Christ’s divinity and authority. He alone fully knows the Father, has the power to forgive sins, and will judge all nations—proof of His equality with the Father in essence and glory.

4. The Son of Man – Humanity and Redemption:
The title “Son of Man” expresses Christ’s incarnation and His sharing in humanity to redeem it. It does not deny His divinity but reveals His humility and saving work—He came to seek and save the lost and will return to judge the world in divine majesty.

5. Parables and Miracles in Matthew:
The Pope highlights that Matthew’s Gospel abounds with parables about the “Kingdom of Heaven,” such as the Sower, the Hidden Treasure, the Talents, and the Ten Virgins. His countless miracles—healing the sick, raising the dead, calming the sea, feeding multitudes—demonstrate His divine authority over nature, matter, and life itself.

6. Symbolic Use of Numbers:
Matthew’s Gospel often uses symbolic numbers (2, 3, 5, 7, 14), showing divine order and spiritual depth. Examples include the three temptations, five virgins, seven petitions in the Lord’s Prayer, and fourteen generations in Christ’s genealogy.

7. The Spiritual Message:
Pope Shenouda concludes that Matthew’s Gospel reveals Christ as the incarnate God, uniting divinity and humanity. He teaches about a heavenly kingdom and calls all to repentance and faith. Jesus is the Son of God in His glory and the Son of Man in His redemption—the King and Savior who opened the way to eternal life.

Tags:
#Son_of_God #Kingdom_of_Heaven

“For better translation support, please contact the center.”