At the beginning of His ministry, Jesus went to His home Synagogue and read from the Book of Isaiah.
"The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, because he has anointed me to proclaim good news to the poor. He has sent me to proclaim liberty to the captives and recovering of sight to the blind, to set at liberty those who are oppressed, to proclaim the year of the Lord's favor."
“After he finished reading, He said to the congregation, "Today this Scripture has been fulfilled in your hearing." ‘And all spoke well of him and marveled at the gracious words that were coming from his mouth. And they said, "Is not this Joseph's son?" And he said to them, "Doubtless you will quote to me this proverb, 'Physician, heal yourself.' What we have heard you did at Capernaum, do here in your hometown as well." And he said, "Truly, I say to you, no prophet is acceptable in his hometown. But in truth, I tell you, there were many widows in Israel in the days of Elijah, when the heavens were shut up three years and six months, and a great famine came over all the land, and Elijah was sent to none of them but only to Zarephath, in the land of Sidon, to a woman who was a widow. And there were many lepers in Israel in the time of the prophet Elisha, and none of them was cleansed, but only Naaman the Syrian."
“When they heard these things, all in the synagogue were filled with wrath. And they rose up and drove him out of the town and brought him to the brow of the hill on which their town was built, so that they could throw him down the cliff. But passing through their midst, he went away.” (Luke 4:16-30 ESV)
The audience understood the passage that Jesus read was about the promised Messiah of Israel, and they became furious at Him because He had just proclaimed He was the anointed one of God. The word ‘messiah’ means "anointed" and refers to installing a person in an office in a way that they will be regarded as accredited to speak directly for Israel’s God.
THE GREAT HIGH PRIEST
The High Priest Melchizedek in the Bible was before Abraham (Hebrews 7:1-4). He was “without father or mother or genealogy, having neither beginning of days nor end of life, but resembling the Son of God he continues a priest forever” (Hebrews 7:3 ESV). He was introduced without any identification of his lineage (Genesis 14:17-20).
Jesus was considered a priest in the order of Melchizedek because He was not a descendant of Aaron and did not qualify for the priesthood under the Law of Moses (Hebrews 7:13-17). The Creator of the Universe has no beginning and no end and is the light that shines in the darkness, which cannot be overcome by anyone or anything (John 1:1-5 ESV).
THE GREAT "I AM"
“Then Moses said to God, "If I come to the people of Israel and say to them, 'The God of your fathers has sent me to you,' and they ask me, 'What is his name?' what shall I say to them?" God said to Moses, "I AM who I AM." And he said, "Say this to the people of Israel, 'I AM has sent me to you.'" (Exodus 3:13-14 ESV – emphasis is mine)
The Hebrew word translated as “I AM” is ‘hayah’ and was considered so holy that the people of Jesus’ day would never have said it out loud. The word is used 72 times in the Bible. It is a primitive root that means to exist, be or become, come to pass. It is always emphatic.
The Hebrew word translated as “who” is ‘asher’ and is more correctly translated as the word “that” (“I AM that I AM”). It is a primitive relative pronoun used to show the connection
Jesus used the words “I AM” (Gk: ‘eimi’) multiple times in the New Testament, referring to Himself. It is in the first person singular present indicative that has the force of a predicate to be; to exist. It is used to express the present state of the person. He spoke primarily in Aramaic so He did not use the holy Hebrew word "hayah." “The Greek word “eimi” means the same as the Hebrew word ‘hayah.’
Jesus had a conversation with some religious leaders about Abraham, and they said to Him, "You are not yet fifty years old, and have you seen Abraham?" Jesus said to them, "Truly, truly, I say to you, before Abraham was, I AM" (John 8:57-58 ESV – emphasis mine).
Jesus made two incredible claims. He said that He existed before Abraham, who had died 2000 years before His own birth. He also equated himself to God, taking the holy name that God revealed to Moses in the burning bush. As soon as He said that, the religious leaders picked up rocks to stone and kill Him because He had committed blaspheme by declaring He was co-equal with God (John 8:59 ESV – see also Exodus 3:14).
Jesus is from Above and the Eternal Creator God of All Things.
“You are from below, I AM from above; you are of this world, I am not of this world" (John 8:23 ESV – emphasis mine)
Jesus is God the Son
"Is it not written in your Law, 'I said, you are gods'? If he called them gods to whom the word of God came—and Scripture cannot be broken— do you say of him whom the Father consecrated and sent into the world, 'You are blaspheming,' because I said, 'I AM the Son of God (John 10:34-36 ESV – emphasis mine) [NOTE: Literal Greek translation is “I said, Son of God? I AM!”]
Jesus is the Messiah
"I who speak to you AM he." (John 4:25-26 ESV – emphasis mine)
- In Greek, the better translation would be “I AM speaks to you.”
“I AM He” (John 18:5-6,8 ESV - emphasis mine)
- When the soldiers came to arrest Jesus in the Garden of Gethsemane, He said to them three times, “I AM,” and they “drew back and fell (Gk: 'pipto' = prostrate) to the ground” face down, either willingly or forcibly before Him, which is the ultimate sign of submission and worship (John 18:6 ESV - emphasis mine).
Jesus is the True Light of the World
“The true light, which enlightens everyone, was coming into the world. He was in the world, and the world was made through him, yet the world did not know him.” (John 1:9-10 ESV)
"I AM the light of the world. Whoever follows me will not walk in darkness, but will have the light of life" (John 8:12-13 ESV - emphasis mine - see also Matthew 4:16, John 8:5, 12:46).
“As long as I AM in the world, I AM the light of the world"(John 9:5-6 ESV – emphasis mine).
- Jesus is the light of all creation - the earth, stars, and heavens. Only the Creator God of all things gives light to the World and to every human being who comes into this world.
“In him was life, and the life was the light of men. The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it.”... “The true light, which enlightens everyone, was coming into the world. He was in the world, and the world was made through him, yet the world did not know him.” (John 1:4, 9-10 ESV)
Jesus is the Alpha and the Omega, the Beginning and the End
"I AM the Alpha and the Omega," says the Lord God, "who is and who was and who is to come, the Almighty." (Revelation 1:8,17,22:13 ESV – emphasis mine).
- He was referring to Isaiah 41:4, 44:6
Jesus is the True and Living Bread of Life
“I AM the bread of life” (John 6:32-35 ESV - emphasis mine – see also John 6:48)
"I AM the bread that came down out of heaven..." (John 6:41 ESV – emphasis mine)
- Jesus is the appointed redeemer who came to save those who repent of their sin and receive Him as Lord and Savior
“I AM the living bread that came down from heaven. If anyone eats of this bread, he will live forever. And the bread that I will give for the life of the world is my flesh." (John 6:51 ESV – emphasis mine)
- Jesus is God who created everything and sustains life
Jesus is the Door of the Lord
“Truly, truly, I say to you, I AM the door of the sheep.”... “I AM the door. If anyone enters by me, he will be saved and will go in and out and find pasture.” (John 10:7,9 ESV see also Psalm 118:19-24 – emphasis mine)
- Jesus is the only way to Heaven. We must repent of our sins and ask Jesus to be our Lord and Savior.
Jesus is the Good Shepherd
“I AM the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep”... “I AM the good shepherd. I know my own and my own know me, just as the Father knows me and I know the Father; and I lay down my life for the sheep.” (John 10:11,14-15 ESV – emphasis mine - see also Psalm 23:1-3; Isaiah 40:10-11; Hebrews 13:20-21)
- Jesus, as God, positionally sanctifies us when we become Born-Again. He gives us the Holy Spirit, who begins the work of daily conditional sanctification from our sinful nature so that we will be ready to meet the Lord when we die (John 14:26; Ephesians 1:13-14).
Jesus is the Resurrection and the Life
"I AM the resurrection and the life. Whoever believes in me, though he die, yet shall he live, and everyone who lives and believes in me shall never die. Do you believe this?" She said to him, "Yes, Lord; I believe that you are the Christ, the Son of God, who is coming into the world." (John 11:25-27 ESV – emphasis mine)
“And this is the will of him who sent me, that I should lose nothing of all that he has given me, but raise it up on the last day. For this is the will of my Father, that everyone who looks on the Son and believes in him should have eternal life, and I will raise him up on the last day." (John 6:39-40 ESV)
"Fear not, I AM the first and the last, and the living one. I died, and behold I am alive
forevermore, and I have the keys of Death and Hades.” (Rev 1:17-19 ESV – emphasis mine)
- Eternal life is given to all who repent of their sin and receive Jesus as Lord and Savior.
Jesus is the Way, the Truth, and the Life
"I AM the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me. If you had known me, you would have known my Father also. From now on you do know him and have seen him." (John 14:6-7 ESV – emphasis mine)
- Jesus actually made three I AM statements - I AM the WAY - I AM the TRUTH - I AM the LIFE.
“Therefore, brothers, since we have confidence to enter the holy places by the blood of Jesus, by the new and living way that he opened for us through the curtain, that is, through his flesh” (Hebrews 10:19-20 ESV)
“And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we have seen his glory, glory as of the only Son from the Father, full of grace and truth.” (John 1:14-15 ESV)
- Jesus is the only way a person can enter Heaven. The Bible says that “there is salvation in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given among men by which we must be saved” (Acts 4:12 ESV).
Jesus is the True Vine
"I AM the true vine, and my Father is the vinedresser”... “I AM the vine; you are the branches.” (John 15:1,5 ESV - emphasis mine - see also Isaiah 5:1-7, 11:10; Matthew 21:33-46)
- Jesus is the vine to eternal life and is the one that gives eternal life.
Jesus is the One who Testifies about Himself
“I AM the one who bears witness about myself, and the Father who sent me bears witness about me" (John 8:18-19 ESV).
- Jesus, through the Holy Spirit, testifies that He is God, the Son and Savior of the World.
THE NAMES OF GOD
In the Bible, a person’s name describes their character. The names of God explain who He is and speak of His character.
The Three Primary Names of God
1. Elohiym - It is the supreme name of God and means God of Creation. It speaks of His power, authority, and majesty (See Genesis 1:1, 17:7; Psalm 19:1; Jerimiah 32:33). The name is plural and used 200 times in the Bible.
2. Adonai – It means Master. It signifies ownership or Lordship and indicates the truth that God is the owner of each of us and that He requires absolute obedience to Him. The body of a Born-Again Christian is not their own because they were bought with a price. They belong to God and are to glorify Him in their bodies.
“Or do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit within you, whom you have from God? You are not your own, for you were bought with a price. So glorify God in your body.” (1 Corinthians 6:19-20 ESV)
3. Jehovah – It means God of redemption and revelation. It is an English word formed from four Hebrew consonants, YHWH (YaHoWaH), and is often pronounced as ‘Yahweh.’ It emphasizes His relationship with human beings and special care for them. It speaks of His “faithful presence” (Exodus 3:14 ESV).
Compounds of Jehovah
a. Jehovah Jireh – “the LORD will provide” (Genesis 22:14)
b. Jehovah Rapha – “the LORD that heals you” (Exodus 15:26)
c. Jehovah Nissi – “the LORD our banner” (Exodus 17:8-15)
d. Jehovah Maccaddeshcem – “the LORD your sanctifier” (Exodus 31:13)
e. Jehovah Elohim Israel – “the LORD God of Israel” (Judges 5:3)
f. Jehovah Shalom – “the LORD our peace” (Judges 6:23-24)
g. Jehovah Sabbaoth – “the LORD of hosts” (1 Samuel 1:3)
h. Jehovah Shammah – “I am with you and will keep you” “I will not leave you.” (Gen 28:15)
i. Jehovah Roi – “the LORD is my shepherd” (Psalm 23:1)
j. Jehovah Tsidkenu – “the LORD our righteousness” (Jeremiah 23:6)
k. Jehovah Shamma – “the LORD is there” (Ezekiel 48:35)
God is also spoken of as:
1. El Elyon – “the most high God” (Genesis 14:18)
2. El Roi – “God of Seeing” (Genesis16:13)
3. El Shaddai – “the Almighty God” (Genesis 17:1)
4. El Olam – “the Everlasting God” (Genesis 21:33)
5. El Gibhor – “Mighty God” (Isaiah 9:6)
6. El-Chuwl – “Formed my inner parts” (Psalm 139:13-18)
7. El-Deah - “God of Knowledge (1 Samuel 2:3)
8. Attiyq Youm – “the Ancient of Days (Daniel 7:9)
All these names of God are contained in the name of Jesus. We must meditate on His names daily
“Therefore God has highly exalted him and bestowed on him the name that is above every name, so that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.” (Philippians 2:9-11 ESV)
CONCLUSION
Jesus never directly spoke the exact words “I am God.” However, Jesus is the author of the Bible, which irrefutably says He is the great I AM, the Creator of all things (John 1:1-3). There is no other name by which a person can be saved by grace alone through faith alone in Jesus alone.
Jesus is “far above all rule and authority and power and dominion, and above every name that is named, not only in this age but also in the one to come. And he put all things under his feet and gave him as head over all things to the church, which is his body, the fullness of him who fills all in all.” (Ephesians 1:21-23 ESV)
“But God, being rich in mercy, because of the great love with which he loved us, even when we were dead in our trespasses, made us alive together with Christ - by grace you have been saved - and raised us up with him and seated us with him in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus, so that in the coming ages he might show the immeasurable riches of his grace in kindness toward us in Christ Jesus. For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, not a result of works, so that no one may boast. For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them.” (Ephesians 2:4-10 ESV)
Today is the day for you to repent of your sin and receive Jesus, the great I AM - the name above every other name - by asking Him to become your Lord and Savior.
