ELTBefore Nun נ
The *נ* (Nun) is indeed a letter that symbolizes the "Son of Man," and when compared to the *כ* (Kaf), which represents the Son of God, the *נ* emphasizes a humble, self-restrained choice not to use His divinity, nor to have earthly family as humans do. This self-emptying, also known as the "kenosis" (Philippians 2:7), is a significant aspect of Jesus' earthly ministry, reflecting His choice to not rely on His divine nature, but to live fully as a man.
Here are some verses that highlight this theme of the *נ* (Nun) and its connection to Jesus' decision to not use His divine prerogatives or have a typical earthly family:
**Jesus Chooses to Live as the Son of Man, Refraining from His Divinity**
1. ▸ ± Philippians 2:6-7
*"Who, being in very nature God, did not consider equality with God something to be used to his own advantage; rather, he made himself nothing by taking the very nature of a servant, being made in human likeness."* - This passage teaches the kenosis of Christ, where He chose to not use His divinity for His own gain, but humbled Himself to live as a man.
2. ▸ ± Matthew 8:20
*"Jesus replied, 'Foxes have dens and birds have nests, but the Son of Man has no place to lay his head.'"* - This verse reflects Jesus’ choice to live without the comforts and security that come with having a family or a home, emphasizing His self-imposed restraint as the Son of Man.
*"The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us. We have seen his glory, the glory of the one and only Son, who came from the Father, full of grace and truth."* - In this verse, the Word (Jesus) becomes flesh and lives among us, choosing to limit Himself to the human condition rather than using His divine nature to make His life easier or more comfortable.
4. ▸ ± Matthew 12:46-50
*"While Jesus was still talking to the crowd, his mother and brothers stood outside, wanting to speak to him. Someone told him, 'Your mother and brothers are standing outside, wanting to speak to you.' He replied to him, 'Who is my mother, and who are my brothers?' Pointing to his disciples, he said, 'Here are my mother and my brothers. For whoever does the will of my Father in heaven is my brother and sister and mother.'"* - Jesus' response here emphasizes that His earthly family does not define His identity or mission. He refrains from a traditional earthly family structure and focuses on the spiritual family of those who do the will of the Father.
**Jesus' Earthly Family and His Relationship with Them**
5. ▸ ± Luke 8:19-21
*"Now Jesus' mother and brothers came to see him, but they were not able to get near him because of the crowd. Someone told him, 'Your mother and brothers are standing outside, wanting to see you.' He replied, 'My mother and brothers are those who hear God’s word and put it into practice.'"* - Again, Jesus teaches that His true family is not based on bloodline, but on spiritual alignment, choosing to place the importance on following God’s will over earthly family ties.
6. ▸ ± Mark 3:31-35
*"Then Jesus' mother and brothers arrived. Standing outside, they sent someone in to call him. A crowd was sitting around him, and they told him, 'Your mother and brothers are outside looking for you.' 'Who are my mother and my brothers?' he asked. Then he looked at those seated in a circle around him and said, 'Here are my mother and my brothers! Whoever does God’s will is my brother and sister and mother.'"* - This passage emphasizes Jesus' choice to redefine family, highlighting that His spiritual family, those who do God's will, takes precedence over earthly family ties.
**Jesus’ Ultimate Submission to the Father’s Will**
7. ▸ ± Luke 22:42
*"Father, if you are willing, take this cup from me; yet not my will, but yours be done."* - In the Garden of Gethsemane, Jesus expresses His human desire to avoid suffering but ultimately submits to the Father’s will, demonstrating His choice to live in full obedience, even at great personal cost.
*"For I have come down from heaven not to do my will but to do the will of him who sent me."* - Jesus makes clear that His purpose on earth is to fulfill the will of the Father, not His own desires or prerogatives, aligning with His humble decision not to rely on His divinity.
**Jesus as the Son of Man—Relating to Humanity**
9. ▸ ± Mark 10:45
*"For even the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many."* - Jesus, as the Son of Man, did not come to use His divinity for personal gain or glory but to serve humanity, showing the humility and restraint that is reflected in the *נ* (Nun).
*"Anyone who has seen me has seen the Father. How can you say, 'Show us the Father'?"* - Although Jesus is fully God, He does not rely on this divine nature in a way that would make His humanity secondary. His choice to live as the Son of Man reflects His deep humility and obedience to the Father’s plan.
Conclusion
These verses highlight Jesus' choice to live fully as the Son of Man, refraining from using His divine privileges and choosing not to have an earthly family structure as men do. This reflects the self-emptying nature of Christ's earthly ministry, as He focused on fulfilling the will of the Father and serving humanity, illustrating the qualities associated with the *נ* (Nun). Let me know if you'd like further exploration on any of these points!
