Even though the synoptic Gospels do not describe Jesus as Son of God (nor as Messiah), nevertheless in different ways he states and makes it understood that he is Son of God, and not in an analogical or metaphorical sense, but in the natural sense.

Indeed, he emphasizes the exclusiveness of his relationship of son of God. Never does he say of God, "our Father", but only "my Father", or else he makes the distinction, "my Father, your Father". He does not hesitate to declare, "All things have been delivered to me by my Father" (Mt 11,27).

This exclusiveness of the relation of sonship to God is manifested particularly in prayer, when Jesus addressed God as Father, using the Aramaic word "Abba", which denotes the special closeness of a son to his father, and on Jesus' lips it is an expression of his total surrender to the Father's will.

On other occasions Jesus uses the expression "your Father"; for example, "as your Father is merciful" (Lk 6,36); "your Father who is in heaven" (Mk 11,25).

In this way he underlines the specific nature of his own relationship to the Father, while desiring that this divine Fatherhood should be communicated to others, as shown by the prayer "our Father" which Jesus taught his apostles and followers.

The truth about Christ as Son of God is the converging point of the whole New Testament. The Gospels. especially John's, and the writings of the Apostles provide us with explicit testimonies.

Jesus' conviction of his divine Sonship was confirmed by a voice front heaven during his baptism in the Jordan (cf. Mk 1,11) and on the mountain at the moment of the transfiguration (cf. Mk 9,7). On both occasions the Evangelists tell us that the Father proclaims Jesus to be "his beloved Son" (Mt 3,17; Lk 3,22).

Simon Peter's profession of faith near Caesarea Philippi merits particular attention, "You are the Christ, the Son of the living God" (Mt 16,16). It is to be noted that this profession was confirmed in an unusual solemn way by Jesus, "Blessed are you, Simon Bar-Jona!. For flesh and blood has not revealed this to you but my Father who is in heaven"(Mt 16,17).

This is not an isolated fact. We read that on seeing Jesus walking on Lake Gennesaret, calming the wind, the Apostles worshipped the Master, saying "Truly you are the Son of God (Mt 14,33).

Therefore, what Jesus did and taught convinced the Apostles that he was not only the Messiah but also the true "Son of God". And Jesus confirmed that conviction,

It was precisely some statements made by Jesus that gave rise to the charge of blasphemy made against him. We read that the Jews "sought... to kill him, because he not only broke the sabbath but also called God his Father, making himself equal to God" (Jn 5,18).

The same problem was raised in the trial of Jesus before the Sanhedrin. Caiaphas, the high priest, said to him, "I adjure you by the living God, tell us if you are the Christ, the Son of God". To this Jesus replied quite simply, "You have said so", that is to say, "Yes, I am" (cf. Mt 26,63-64).

Again in the trail before Pilate, although there was a different charge, namely, that he proclaimed himself king, the Jews nevertheless repeated the basic charge, "We have a law, and by that law he ought to die, because he has made himself the Son of God" (Jn 19,7).

Thus we can say that in the last analysis Jesus died on the cross for the truth about his divine Sonship.

This truth is at the center of the event of Golgotha. At the moment of death he, a pagan, gives a final surprising testimony to Christ's divine identity, "Truly this man was the Son of God!" (Mk 15,39).

Because Jesus was aware that he was Son of God in the real and natural sense of the word, he "called God his Father..." (Jn 5,18). With the same conviction he did not hesitate to say to his adversaries and accusers, "Truly, truly, I say to you before Abraham was, I am" (Jn 8,58).