No 17

(The I am’s of the New Testament)

The Second Person of the Trinity, the Lord Jesus Christ, used the phrase “I am” eight times in the gospel of John to describe Himself in an understandable way to His followers. Here are 7 of the 8:

- John 6:35 I am the bread of life: he that cometh to me shall never hunger; and he that believeth on me shall never thirst

- John 8:12 I am the light of the world: he that followeth me shall not walk in darkness, but shall have the light of life.

- John 10:9 I am the door: by me if any man enter in, he shall be saved, and shall go in and out, and find pasture.

- John 10:14 I am the good shepherd, and know my sheep, and am known of mine.

- John 11:25 I am the resurrection, and the life: he that believeth in me, though he were dead, yet shall he live:

- John 14:6 I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me.

- John 15:5 I am the vine, ye are the branches: He that abideth in me, and I in him, the same bringeth forth much fruit: for without me ye can do nothing.

None of these“I am’s” bothered the Jewish leaders too much but the eighth one really made them furious; it is found in John 8:58 : Jesus said unto them, Verily, verily, I say unto you, Before Abraham was, I am.” This was the name of the God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob; this was the name that God gave Moses when time came to bring His people out of Egypt : “And God said unto Moses, I AM THAT I AM: and he said, Thus shalt thou say unto the children of Israel, I AM hath sent me unto you.” (Exodus 3:14). Jesus was confirming to the Jewish leadership that He was equal with Yahweh; this was just too much for their feeble and self-righteous minds.