In the Gospel of John, Jesus introduces himself to the world through a variety of metaphors that begin with two words - I am. "I am the true vine... the bread of life... the light of the world...", etc. In his own words, Jesus illuminated his character and truest identity. This week's worship continues our six week series called, Two Words That Change Everything - I Am.

The Greek term for "way" can also be translated as "road" or "path." This is a regular metaphor used in Scripture. In fact, the entire Book of Psalms can be interpreted as a guide to keep us on the "way" or "road" that God has for us. Below is Psalm 1, t begins the Psalms by contrasting the way of the righteous with the way of sinners.

In the ancient Roman empire, in which Jesus lived, being lost was incredibly dangerous. In fact, few civilians would undergo any travel by land because of the dangers it posed, even if you weren't lost. If one was near a city, there would be reliable roads that the military would have likely built. The farther one went from a city, the less reliable and more dangerous roads were. Straying from those paths and not knowing the way back to the paths would be remarkably dangerous.

This is why the Bible uses the metaphor of "way" or "path" or "road" so often. It may not carry the same significance for us, where we can easily travel to almost anywhere in the world if we desire. (When there isn't a worldwide pandemic, of course.) But imagine a world where traveling when you stayed on the path and on the road was dangerous, and then imagine how terrifying losing your way would be in that world. That's the world of the people to whom Jesus was speaking when he said "I am the way, the truth and the life."

Jesus' "I am" statements can serve as landmarks in our lives in those times that we feel lost or separated from God. We can look at what we learn about Jesus' character from these statements and see where and how those character traits show up in our life. When we see those traits, we can trust that God is being reflected in our lives and continue down the path.

As a review, here are the "I am" statements we looked at in this message series:

"I am the true vine." - John 15:1

"I am the resurrection and the life." - John 11:25

"I am the light of the world." - John 8:12

"I am the gate to the sheeppen/I am the Good Shepherd." - John 10:1-9

"I am the bread of life." - John 6:35

"I am the way, the truth and the life." - John 14:6

Reflecting on the "I am" statements in John, New Testament scholar Marianne Meye Thompson writes that "they show that Jesus speaks as God does, making similar claims for his unique identity, an identity located above all in the power to give life."

In the moments we feel lost, we can remember the "I am" statements to recognize the presence of God in our lives, or to search for God at work in the world, and thereby be brought back to the way, the truth and the life that is found only in Jesus.

GROWTH GROUP / PERSONAL REFLECTION QUESTIONS

1. Have you ever been lost? What were the circumstances? What was your desired destination? Where did you end up? How did it feel? Did you ever find your way back on track and successfully reach your destination? What did that require?

2. How do you usually respond to being lost?

3. Jesus is clear that he is "the way." What do you think Jesus means when he refers to himself as "the way?"

4. Jesus' "I am" statements can serve as "landmarks" helping us know we are on "the way." Of Jesus' "I am" statements, which has resonated the most with you and why? (Reminder, they are: I am... the Vine, the Resurrection and the Life, the Light of the World, the door to the Sheep pen, the Good Shepherd, the Bread of Life and the way and the truth and the life.)

5. Which of the "I am" statements do you think you need to reflect on most?

Questions for Families with Children

1. Have you ever been lost?

2. How did you find your way back?

3. When you feel distant from God, what can help you find your way back to God?