Who is “I AM”?
The coming of Jesus Christ is the centre of history. Jesus demonstrated what a trusting relationship with him would be like. In His three years of public ministry Jesus called out “Come, follow me.” The reason for the transformed lives of the twelve men that left all to become his disciples is beautifully summarized by Peter, “Who else could we go to? You alone have the words of eternal life” (John 6:68).
In the Old Testament the title God used for Himself was “I AM”, God introduced himself to Moses by saying “I AM WHO I AM. This is what you are to say to the Israelites: ‘I AM has sent me to you’” (Exodus 3:14). Jesus often used the same title “I am” to explain His divine identity and purpose. Many of these “I am” statements speak of the benefits laid out for us. This simple phrase also helps us to see His compassion and how we can connect with the God who reaches out to us daily.
John 10:14-18 says: “14 I am the Good Shepherd. I know my own sheep and my own sheep know me. 15 In the same way, the Father knows me and I know the Father. I put the sheep before myself, sacrificing myself if necessary. 16 You need to know that I have other sheep in addition to those in this pen. I need to gather and bring them, too. They’ll also recognize my voice. Then it will be one flock, one Shepherd. 17 This is why the Father loves me: because I freely lay down my life. And so I am free to take it up again. 18 No one takes it from me. I lay it down of my own free will. I have the right to lay it down; I also have the right to take it up again. I received this authority personally from my Father.” (THE MESSAGE: The Bible in Contemporary Language © 2002 by Eugene H. Peterson.)
Jesus our Shepherd
“I am the Good Shepherd. I know my own sheep and my own sheep know me.” John 10:14
Jesus knows we need love and friendship in our lives. We all need someone to be involved in our daily life that is able to guide us as a shepherd guides his sheep. Every part of a sheep’s life is important to its shepherd. A true friend may know the worst about us and still remain our friend – Jesus knows the everyday details and decisions of our lives, the difficulties, circumstances and situations that we face. A connection with Him gives us something with far above and beyond our human relationships.
How does it make you feel, when you know that Jesus knows everything about you?
Shepherding involves more than we can imagine. God, our Creator, reaches out to care for His children. Jesus invites us into close relationship with Him. The same love without limit extended to each of us by Him, whoever we are and wherever we are.
Luke 15:4-7 says: “4Suppose one of you had a hundred sheep and lost one. Wouldn’t you leave the ninety-nine in the wilderness and go after the lost one until you found it? 5 When found, you can be sure you would put it across your shoulders, rejoicing, 6 and when you got home call in your friends and neighbours, saying, ‘Celebrate with me! I’ve found my lost sheep!’ 7 Count on it — there’s more joy in heaven over one sinner’s rescued life than over ninety-nine good people in no need of rescue. (THE MESSAGE: The Bible in Contemporary Language © 2002 by Eugene H. Peterson.)
Next time you feel like nobody cares and wonder if God is bothered, recall Jesus words about the one stray sheep. Often we think we know God’s view, often we will try to force our opinion or view as God’s own – even when we are wrong.
Do you ever find yourself in a place where you think you know better than God or your answer must be right?
The shepherd in the parable left ninety-nine, to find and rescue one that was lost. It was urgent that it be found and returned to safety – there is joy in Heaven over every lost one that is found.
Shepherd Jesus is good, a relationship with Him is for our benefit. He gives protection. He stands with us when evil tries to attack us. He directs our thoughts and guides our actions. We just need to choose to follow His directions.
Jesus our Light
“I am the light of the world” John 8:12
Jesus made this statement straight after an encounter with a lonely, troubled woman. She had sinned. She was surrounded by a group of religious leaders who were accusing her. She had been caught in the act of adultery – and she was expected to pay for it. The religious leaders were hoping that by testing Jesus, they would trap Him. Would He obey tradition and allow them to stone her? Jesus knew the hearts of the accusers, without hesitation He said, “If any of you is without sin, let him be the first to throw a stone at her”. These men paused and one by one, they left. Jesus asked her, “Has no one condemned you?”. She replied “No one”. Jesus then says “Then neither do I condemn you. Go now and leave your life of sin.”
Is it easier to judge others than spot issues in your own life?
In this brief encounter Jesus brought more light to this woman than she had ever known. He could have treated her badly, He could have stood with the accusers, He could have condemned her. Instead He was thoughtful and controlled. His light shone with compassion. He wanted to forgive her and let her change her direction. Even though she had done something that was wrong, he defended her. Jesus told the truth, she had sinned. She had disobeyed God. Yet Jesus gives her hope that change could take place – if she was willing to change.
It was after this that Jesus spoke to the disciples that were with Him and said, “I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness, but will have the light of life” (John 8:12).
The light of Jesus brings us His understanding of our weaknesses and gives us wise solutions. Jesus gives us the facts. Jesus light illuminates different areas of our lives and understanding.
Jesus tells us where we came from.
We were created by God, every one of us is unique (some more unique than others). Every human genome is unique to the individual. As God’s unique creation you have unique value.
Jesus light shows us the best.
When we view our days in the light of God’s eternal purpose, when we consider that each of our days is part of God’s eternal purpose, then we realise that in everything, large or small, Jesus shows us how to make the best choices. When we grasp that every day is an opportunity for us to honour Jesus, to follow Him, to serve others for His glory, it makes us view our days in a different way.
Do you ever ask yourself the question, what would Jesus do? This is a good question, that we need to answer honestly. It’s no good asking the question if you are unwilling to abide by the true answer to the question!
Every part of our life takes on new meaning and purpose when we see it through God’s eyes. It’s not just about the spiritual aspects of life, praying, going to church, reading the bible, fellowship with others – it’s also in our working lives, guiding our families, spending time with friends.
What sets your priorities on what you do, when you do it and how you do it?
What we do, when we do it, and the priority it takes in our lives needs to be illuminated by God’s will and God’s word.
Jesus lights up our life.
What motivates you most in your life?
We should live lives that are motivated by the love that Christ shows; a life pleasing to Him, a life without masks – a life with nothing to hide. God’s light illuminates the path for us, we are meant to stay in the light not wander off into the darkness. His word is “a lamp to our feet and a light to our path” (Psalm 119:105).
When light comes, darkness leaves, the two cannot exist together. Sometimes our lives feel dark; maybe there are times when you think you do not have the strength to get through another day. Jesus light breaks the darkness. His light restores us and shows us the where, the what and the how that is best for our lives.
Jesus our fulfilment
“I am the bread of life. He who comes to Me shall never hunger, and he who believes in Me shall never thirst” John 6.35
Jesus spoke these words to a group of seekers and inquirers who had eaten dinner with Him and seen Him change the lives of others. Their questions turned to one we often ask: “What does God want me to do?” When have you asked yourself the question what does God want me to do?
When your stomach is empty it lets you know it is time for food. When the spirit is empty, our feelings can smoulder and grow bitter; even a best friend may be unable to console us. We all need to eat spiritual bread so that we can receive contentment and peace from our loving Father. Jesus promises to be our bread of life, our sustainer, our satisfaction.
What circumstances do you find it difficult to be content in? The apostle Paul was imprisoned, beaten and thrown out of cities because of his belief in Jesus. He “learned to be content whatever the circumstances” (Philippians 4:11).
Paul knew what it was like to have something deep inside to sustain him; the true bread of life nourished him. It is remarkable to think of the inner peace that allowed early Christians to actual sing as they went into dens of lions.
Jesus reveals God
“I am the way, the truth and the life.” John 14:6
What we all need is real help from Jesus. Jesus did not only enter this world to give us the Sermon on the Mount or stress the importance of the Ten Commandments. He came to show each of us God’s love and care. God came to earth in the person of His Son, Jesus. He is not one way among many others; He is THE WAY, the I AM come to us. “A slave has no permanent place in the family, but a son belong to it forever. So if the Son sets you free, you will be free indeed” (John 8:35-36).
Jesus supernatural life and power give us:
- release from destructive habits,
- awareness of evil,
- God’s supernatural presence to overcome temptation.
What can His power do? His power is strong enough to make a thief honest, to make a liar embrace truth, to make a prostitute pure. His power breaks drug addiction, alcoholism, pride, criticism, the list is endless. Jesus Himself described His coming to us as new life, new birth, becoming a new person inside – this is supernatural power, supernatural help.
What do you follow most? TV, newspapers, magazines, music or the Bible?
Often we follow the things of this world more often than the things of God. While you may be entertained by the things of this world, the truth of God, the truth of following His way, in His light is best. God has given us His word so that we can understand His will and His ways. Jesus came to show us the way, to give us direction and purpose.
The emphasis is on believing not just doing, to connect with the living God every day.
Jesus is the gateway
“I am the gate; whoever enters through me will be saved” John 10:9
Jesus words here are for the sheep who have lost their way. He is the only gate of safety and the pathway to God for us. Jesus is precise, anyone who enters through Him WILL find the safe path to God.
The gate to the true path is open. The way for us to connect to God is here. God has opened the gate so that when we walk through it we are safe – we are saved. He also says that we will be at peace because we will know the right way from the wrong way and be able to find pasture.
Jesus makes us fruitful
“I am the vine; you are the branches” John 15:5
Jesus came to earth, He lived in a Hebrew family, He was aware of the culture. Productive gardening and farming were familiar to everyone He spoke to. The vine and branches was something everyone understood. A branch cut off from the vine becomes lifeless. The Christian can only bear real fruit in union with Jesus, our vine. This is a divine relationship that gives good fruit because we are attached the God of heaven, our vine.
When we are joined to Jesus we are attached to our Saviour – the one who gives us spiritual life and tangible fruit. God desires to be in relationship with us and we need to be in relationship with God.
We need to fully grasp this. It is easy for us to have the wrong idea here and think of Jesus as the trunk of a tree, and imagine ourselves as branches of that tree. Jesus does not say He is the trunk, He says He is the vine. The vine is the whole plant, trunk, roots, branches, leaves and fruit. The vine and branch image used here illustrates that we are “in Christ”, “with Christ”, “united to Christ”, “One with Christ”. We are bonded to our Saviour in unity, fellowship, life and love.
Jesus came to earth to connect to each of us who will make a decision and turn to Him. God has poured out his love into our hearts by the Holy Spirit, whom he has given us (Romans 5:5). Jesus Christ is a living person and knowing Him as our Lord means we can have a real relationship with Him. A relationship that lasts for eternity. A relationship with the great “I AM”.
For personal reflection
From all of the “I AM” statements, which one speaks to you the most? and why?
What ideas are new to you in this study?
How does God’s deep desire to connect with you effect your life?
Even though Jesus is willing to help, why do you assume you need to do it yourself so often?
