I Am
Featured photo by John Carley
Before you start this devotional, I have a trivia question for you. The answer will be linked at the end.
In John 18, Jesus tells some people that He is “I Am”. When He tells them that they fall down because of the divinity and power in His name. Who were the people?
Hint: It was not the Pharisees.
John 6 (WEB)
The Gospel of John includes important metaphorical and literal images of the Savior. We will focus on a few of them.
Bible scholars refer to these as the seven “I Am” statements of Jesus.
Notice how each of these statements teach the Gospel.
Look at each of these statements and see how much more you can know about Jesus.
1-Jesus said to them, “I Am the bread of life. Whoever comes to me will not be hungry, and whoever believes in me will never be thirsty.”
John 6:35 (WEB)
Jesus had just fed the 5,000 in the wilderness. Do you remember the story of the little boy with the fishes and loaves?
People mistakenly make the little boy the hero. But that little boy didn’t have the food it would take to save their physical lives, and he certainly did have food for the salvation of their souls.
Only Jesus met their physical need for food. Most importantly, Jesus fed their soul. (John 6)
2-Again, therefore, Jesus spoke to them, saying, “I Am the light of the world. He who follows me will not walk in the darkness but will have the light of life.”
John 8:12 (WEB)
Jesus said this when the Pharisees wanted to stone the adulterous woman to death.
You may remember, Jesus knelt to write something unknown to us. What He wrote is unimportant, or we would know it. But in the interval between when Jesus bent to write in the dirt, and when He spoke, they left.
The darkness just left.
And Jesus identified Himself as the Light of the world.
To whom was He speaking? Read the passage to find out if Jesus was addressing the woman or the Pharisees. John 8
The Light of God can only be found in Jesus. But we don’t even want the Light, before the Spirit of God draws us to see.
Until then, we walk in darkness.
Look at the passage from Isaiah.
Who among you fears the Lord
and obeys his servant?
If you are walking in darkness,
without a ray of light,
trust in the Lord
and rely on your God.
Isaiah 50:10
I Am the Gate
3-Jesus therefore said to them again, “Most certainly, I tell you, I Am the sheep’s door”
John 10:7 (WEB)
John 10 is one of my most favorite passages in the Bible. Why? Because look at how personal it is. Apart from the I Am statement; it opens by telling every true believer that:
“I know my own. My own know Me.”
- Jesus opens the gate of redemption for you.
- Jesus helps you recognize His voice when He talks to you. You can tell the difference between Jesus and an impostor.
- Jesus goes before you. He is your trustworthy Guide. Follow Him.
- In the passage Jesus tells you “I know my own. My own know Me.”
- Jesus keeps your soul safe. Predators can’t rob your soul. False teachers can’t mislead you if you follow close to Jesus. But even if you wander, Jesus knows where you are. You can’t be lost-ever.
4- “I Am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep.”
John 10:11 (WEB)
He died for you.
Now He lives for you.
5-Jesus said to her, “I Am the resurrection and the life. He who believes in me will still live, even if he dies.“ John 11:25 (WEB)
The next “I Am” statement tells you of the exclusivity of the Gospel. There is only one way to God—only through one Savior. He lives forever, and you will too. Even though you die physically, your soul is eternal!
Do you remember to whom Jesus was talking when He said this? Take a look at John 11.
6-Jesus said to him, “I Am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father, except through me.“ John 14:6 (WEB)
This statement was shared with the disciples in order to prepare them and comfort them for what was coming. And though the statement was for all of the eleven faithful disciples, who was Jesus talking to, and probably looking at when He said this? Take a look at this passage for the answer. John 14
Do you see? Jesus intended for all eleven to get this. He intended for you and me to understand too. But do you see the tender love for the one individual? Only Jesus could communicate so perfectly with the hearts of people.
7- “I am the true vine, and my Father is the farmer” John 15:1 (WEB)
After everything that Jesus has done for us, He has done this, too. He has fixed it so when we stay connected to Him we can not only be certain of our salvation, but we can be certain that staying in Him in a close personal relationship will allow us to take part in His ministry. We can obey Him by sharing the Gospel and bearing fruit.
Here are links to 2 additional “I Am” statements.
John 18 the answer to the trivia question is found in John 18.
World English Bible (WEB)
by Public Domain. The name “World English Bible” is trademarked.
Getting the Seed out of the basket and into hungry hearts. Matthew 13 