Jesus was the only one to use this title of Himself. It was a title which connected Him with mankind. He is quoted as using the title some 32 times in the Gospel of Matthew. Mark gives 14. Luke 25 and John 12. Mistakenly, the people of that day anticipated Christ coming and establishing an earthly kingdom. The same mistake is being made by some today. Jesus said; “My kingdom is not of this world.” John 18:36 Now this man who called Himself the Son of Man, had come saying that He was the Christ but would be crucified. They well understood His words and their intent when He said that He would be lifted up. They had not been taught that Christ would die for the people. In declaring their expectation of the Messiah they proclaimed that the Law taught that He would live forever. John 12:34 And indeed He would, and is alive forever more. Rev. 1:18
He is Deity. As Deity, He is God. He is first the Son of His Father and then He is the Son of Man. Conceived of the Lord, His Father, through the act of the Holy Spirit, conceived and birthed by a virgin named Mary. The prophecy given to Mary was that she would be covered by a shadow made by the Spirit of the Lord. The same Greek word is used in relationship to the bright, scintillating, glowing cloud of glory manifest at the time of transfiguration of the Lord Jesus. Mt. 17:5 The same shekinah glory which was manifest between the cheribum and the mercy seat was seen in the Lord Jesus and was that which came upon Mary.
The Word declares that God appeared in flesh. 1 Tim. 3:16 While the Father and the Son are not the same individual, the affinity is so intimate that it is called a mystery. Because of the liaison in the Godhead, God was in Christ reconciling the world unto Himself. 2 Cor. 5:19 Jesus had the right and privilege to declare His position with His Father when He said that He and the Father were one, unified in every possible manner. John 10:30 To illustrate that unity.
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John, the beloved spoke of the Lord Jesus as being in the bosom of the Father. John 1:18 The emphasis must be on the fact that He was in, not reclining on, (as was John – John 13:23) the bosom or the chest area. That would place Him in the very heart, the center of the affection of the Father which in all reality is exactly where He was. The affinity, the kinship existing between the Father and the Son can only be understood by placing Jesus in the heart of the Father. It was complete, absolute, the fullness of that agape love which is love as only the Lord can love. The Amplified Version is as follows; “But the only one, Himself God, the nearest to the Father’s heart, has made Him known.” John 1:18 Thus, the existence of the Father and the Son as individuals is emphasized. Yet, the position of the Lord Jesus is shown as being God and the closest to the Father’s heart. In other words, in The Father’s bosom. An integral part of all that constitutes the true and living God.
Thomas, the doubter will always be remembered for His attitude and the total human reaction which he demonstrated. But, when he saw Jesus, he immediately acknowledged Him as his Lord and his God. John 20:28 This leaves no doubt in our minds but what the early church fully recognized the Lord Jesus as God. And why not? Jesus had taught them well. When He said; “I and the Father are one,” they accepted and unequivocally believed it. John 10:30 Jesus was not saying that He was both the Father and the Son, but He was emphasizing the fact of the complete, the all inclusive unity which exists in the Godhead. Regardless of whom we speak, the Father, the Son or the Spirit the essence is the same. They are one in nature, in being, in works and in all intents and purposes. There never has been nor will there ever be a split decision made by them. Absolute harmony is the very heart and core of their existence.
The scriptures very adeptly reveal to us the Godhood of the Lord Jesus.
He is acknowledged as being God. They do the same for the Father. Paul wrote of but one God, the Father. All things originating from Him (as the Father), and by virtue of new birth we are likewise in His bosom. We are to be made one with Him. Also one Lord Jesus Christ by whom all things have their creation and existence and we are in the Father by Him 1 Cor. 8:6.
The unifying factor which brings human kind into a relationship with either the Father or the Son is the Spirit of God. Inasmuch as He is the Spirit of God, He too then must be God, and He is. He is also called the Spirit of Christ. Rom. 8:9.