The Lord Jesus has many names and titles but concerning His person He is the unchanging Son of God (Heb 13:8).
His Sonship Established
First, His Sonship is revealed through His eternal relationship with
the other members of the Trinity. The Father and Son are mentioned in
the Old Testament (Ps. 2:7; Prov. 30:4) as well as the Holy Spirit (Gen
1:2). Furthermore the Godhead has a relationship among them that has no
reference to time (Gen 1:1; John 1:1).
Secondly, our eternal God designed the church through His infinite
wisdom. It was an eternal plan (Eph 3:11; 2 Tim 1:9; Titus 1:2) which
involved all members of the Godhead (Matt 3:16-17; John 3:16, 34).
Thirdly, He was the sent One (John 3:16; Gal 4:4). Isaiah states
that a child was born yet a Son was given (Isaiah 9:6). Concerning
Christ's humanity He was a child born into the world but regarding His
deity He was eternally a Son when He was given.
Fourthly, a son has an honor and authority that a servant will never
have (Heb 3:1-6). Being a Son does not imply submission or inferiority
(John 5:17-18). Yet when Christ came into this world He learned
obedience by the things He suffered (Heb 5:8). It was a new experience
for Him and was related to becoming man.
Finally, there is an order and priority suggested in Hebrews 1:2
which says that He is Son, heir and creator. All things were created
through the Son and for the Son (Col 1:16). His creative work took
place in time but His Sonship is rooted in eternity.
His Sonship Declared
In the Psalms Christ reveals a declaration the Father made to Him.
In scripture the word beget normally refers to birth and suggests
manifesting or bringing someone forth. It can also be used for the new
birth (Phile. 1:10; 1 John 5:1). In another passage the psalmist
compares the mother's womb to the lowest parts of the earth (Psalms
139:15).
In Romans 1:3-4 we read,
of the seed of David according to the flesh; and declared to be the Son
of God with power, according to the spirit of holiness, by the
resurrection from the dead."
The eternally begotten One (John 3:16; 1 John 4:9), was also
begotten from the womb during His incarnation (Rom 1:3) and from the
earth during His resurrection (Rom 1:4).
However it was on resurrection day that the Lord Jesus was
powerfully revealed to be the Son of God and His Father gladly
proclaimed it.
His Sonship Manifested
This declaration is repeated three times in the New Testament and reveals the Son in three positions.
The Prophet Manifested as the Son of God
promise which was made unto the fathers, God hath fulfilled the same
unto us their children, in that he hath raised up Jesus again; as it is
also written in the second psalm, Thou art my Son, this day have I
begotten thee." (Acts 13:32-33)
A prophet represented God to man and a genuine one could be
recognized (Deut 18:22). There was no prophet in Israel like Moses
(Deut 34:10) yet one like Moses was promised (Deut 18:18; John 5:46).
The Lord Jesus would distinguish Himself as the greatest prophet
because He would speak the very words of God (John 3:34).
When the Jewish leaders asked the Lord for a sign they were promised only one - His resurrection.
(Matt 12:40; John 2:19).
The idea of a suffering Messiah was a stumbling-block to the Jews (1
Cor 1:23). Consequently when they saw the Lord Jesus hanging on the
cross they believed he was forever a cursed impostor (Deut 21:23; Gal
3:13).
Conversely the Gentiles considered the idea of a god dying for his people foolish (1 Cor 1:23).
Yet God revealed His wisdom and power (1 Cor 2:5) by resurrecting
Christ and showing believers that Christ is the wisdom and power of God
(1 Cor 1:24).
On that day God declared that the greatest prophet is the eternal Son of God.
The Priest Manifested as the Son of God
priest; but he that said unto him, Thou art my Son, to day have I
begotten thee. As he saith also in another place, Thou art a priest for
ever after the order of Melchisedec." (Heb 5:5-6)
A priest represented man to God and according to the law he had to
be from the tribe of Levi. The Lord Jesus was born into the tribe of
Judah so legally He did not qualify. Consequently the One who fulfilled
all righteousness did not act in the capacity of priest before the
cross (Heb 7:13-14).
However the priesthood, sacrifices and feasts in the Old Testament
were pictures that pointed to Christ. When He died on the cross He was
both priest and offering and revealed the truth shown in these types.
He was the last High Priest and the final offering and His sacrifice
ended the Aaronic priesthood (Heb 7:27; 10:12).
The Lord's priesthood, after the order of Melchizedek is based on
His finished work (Psalms 110:4; 1 John 2:1-2) and was proved
acceptable by His resurrection. Melchizedek was the priest-king of
Salem who brought bread and wine when he met Abram (Gen 14:18). He was
a type of the Lord Jesus not only because he was a priest-king, but
also in that there was no record of his genealogy (Heb 7:1-3).
He received tithes from Abraham and blessed him (Gen 14:19-20)
proving that His priesthood was greater than the one that would come
from Abraham's offspring - Levi (Heb 7:5-10).
The Lord Jesus is the sinless high priest (Heb 7:26) that was
appointed by God (Heb 7:20-21). His priesthood replaced Aaron's (Heb
7:11-12) and continues forever (Heb 7:24).
He ensures our salvation (Heb 7:25; Jude 24), makes our worship
acceptable to the Father (Heb 2:12; 1 Peter 2:5), prays for us (John
17), defends us against the accuser (Rom 8:33-34) and is our advocate
(1 John 2:1-2). In all these things He is our mediator (1 Tim 2:5) and
intercessor (Heb 7:25).
On that day God declared that our great High Priest is the eternal Son of God.
The King Manifested as the Son of God
art my Son, this day have I begotten thee? And again, I will be to him
a Father, and he shall be to me a Son?" (Heb 1:5)
This refers to the promise made to David known as the Davidic
covenant which unconditionally promised that his throne and kingdom
would last forever (2 Sam 7:14-16; Ps 89:26-29).
The Son of David (Rom 1:3) is the promised King and someday will
fill that vacant seat and rule forever (Dan 2:34-35; 7:27; Luke
1:32-33).
When He came into the world the first time the Lord Jesus presented
His credentials to the nation of Israel. Incredibly, they concluded
that He didn't meet their qualifications and rejected Him as their king
(John 19:15).
God had a different view. He brought Him forth in resurrection so
that He could highly exalt Him (Phil 2:9-11) and after His ascension He
authenticated Christ's kingship by seating Him at His right hand. He is
now waiting until it is time to come back and take the throne that is
rightfully His (Psalms 2:8; 110:1; Rev 11:15).
It was forbidden under the law for someone to act as priest and
king. King Uzziah came under immediate judgment for entering into the
temple and officiating as a priest (2 Chronicles 26:16-23). Someday
there will be a Priest-King on the throne (Zech 6:12-13) and He will be
there with God's full approval.
On that day God declared that the King of Kings is the eternal Son of God.
Hear Him
We sense the Father's joy as He manifested the greatest prophet, our
great High Priest and the King of Kings to be His eternal Son. As we
hear Him proclaim it may it fill our hearts with worship.