Jesus’ 7 “I Am” statements

The theme of “I am” is built on one of the most famous scenes in Scripture.

Moses is a shepherd in the desert when he encounters a bush on fire but is not consumed. Here he meets the God of the universe and is told that he will lead the people of Israel out of Egyptian slavery.

Moses anticipates the Israelites asking him the name of this God he met in the desert. The Lord answers, “I AM WHO I AM.” Then God says, “Say this to the people of Israel: ‘I AM has sent me to you’” (Exodus 3:14).

“I AM” translates the Hebrew YHWH, sometimes transliterated in English as “Yahweh.” It is God’s personal name for himself. The Hebrew can be translated as “the One who was, is, and ever shall be” or “the ever-present God.”

Fast-forward to the time of Jesus.

This Galilean carpenter has fed the crowd of five thousand (John 6:1–14) and walked on the Sea of Galilee (vv. 16–21). When the crowds gather around him again, he makes this staggering statement: “I am the bread of life; whoever comes to me shall not hunger, and whoever believes in me shall never thirst” (John 6:35).

Note his first two words: “I am.”

This rabbi is laying claim to the personal name of God himself.

He is identifying himself as God.

And he is using God’s name to explain his essence and ministry.

He does this seven times in John’s Gospel.

He calls himself:

• the “bread of life” (John 6:35)
• the “light of the world” (John 8:12; 9:5)
• the “door of the sheep” (John 10:7, 9)
• the “good shepherd” (John 10:11, 14)
• the “resurrection and the life” (John 11:25)
• “the way, the truth, and the life” (John 14:6)
• the “true vine” (John 15:1)

We will study each of these in the following days.

For now, take a mental accounting of how you view God.

How would you describe him?

What do you really believe about Jesus if you’re honest with yourself?