| JESUS GOD'S SON: | The Great "I AM" |
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JESUS THE GREAT "I AM" Along with explaining His role as the Savior of the world in very clear and unmistakable terms Jesus made a number of other statements about Himself which provide insight into different facets of His identity and mission as mans Savior. Those statements are listed here together with a brief explanation of their significance in regards to salvation. I AM THE BREAD OF LIFE Using the illustration of the manna given the children of Israel in the wilderness Jesus explained that He was the bread of life which had come down from heaven for them. While Jesus promised that He would satisfy the deepest hunger of the soul He also explained that this bread, His body, would be given for the sins of the world so that many might find eternal life through Him. (John 6:35-37) Jesus said to them, "I am the bread of life; he who comes to Me shall not hunger, and he who believes in Me shall never thirst. {36} "But I said to you, that you have seen Me, and yet do not believe. {37} "All that the Father gives Me shall come to Me, and the one who comes to Me I will certainly not cast out. (John 6:51) "I am the living bread that came down out of heaven; if anyone eats of this bread, he shall live forever; and the bread also which I shall give for the life of the world is My flesh." I AM THE LIGHT OF THE WORLD Jesus
recognized that there are certain things about life that cannot
be known or learned through any other means except direct revelation
from God. This type of knowledge is often referred to as light in
the bible. Those who are without this knowledge are considered to
be in darkness. Jesus, the living Word of God, was the supreme revelation
of God who came as the light of the world to tell us the truth about
life and to bring us out of spiritual darkness by giving us the
light of the knowledge of salvation. (John 9:4-5) "We must work the works of Him who sent Me, as long as it is day; night is coming, when no man can work. {5} "While I am in the world, I am the light of the world." I AM THE DOOR OF THE SHEEP Jesus came to provide the doorway necessary for man to enter into God's presence. Those who want to live in God's care are referred to here as sheep. The fact that man has been separated from God by sin has already been explained. Jesus reveals that He is the door by which a man may enter into fellowship with God and begin to experience abundant life. (John 10:7-10) Jesus therefore said to them again, "Truly, truly, I say to you, I am the door of the sheep. {8} "All who came before Me are thieves and robbers, but the sheep did not hear them. {9} "I am the door; if anyone enters through Me, he shall be saved, and shall go in and out, and find pasture. {10} "The thief comes only to steal, and kill, and destroy; I came that they might have life, and might have it abundantly. I AM THE GOOD SHEPHERD Jesus describes Himself as the good shepherd who out of a unwavering love for His sheep lays down His life for them. This is a reference to Jesus willingly going to the cross of Calvary to give His life for the sins of the world. In this role Jesus demonstrates His love and the Fathers love for the world. When one considers the depth of this love and the one who gives it there should be a realization that there is nothing of greater value in this world than the saving Love of God as it is found in Jesus the good shepherd. (John 10:11-18) "I am the good shepherd; the good shepherd lays down His life for the sheep. {12} "He who is a hireling, and not a shepherd, who is not the owner of the sheep, beholds the wolf coming, and leaves the sheep, and flees, and the wolf snatches them, and scatters them. {13} "He flees because he is a hireling, and is not concerned about the sheep. {14} "I am the good shepherd; and I know My own, and My own know Me, {15} even as the Father knows Me and I know the Father; and I lay down My life for the sheep. {16} "And I have other sheep, which are not of this fold; I must bring them also, and they shall hear My voice; and they shall become one flock with one shepherd. {17} "For this reason the Father loves Me, because I lay down My life that I may take it again. {18} "No one has taken it away from Me, but I lay it down on My own initiative. I have authority to lay it down, and I have authority to take it up again. This commandment I received from My Father." I AM THE RESURRECTION AND THE LIFE The story of the raising of Lazarus from the dead is dramatic and leaves one in awe of the power of God and the Love of God. The reader is encouraged to read John chapter 11 to more fully appreciate what is said here. Before Jesus raised Lazarus from the dead He engaged Martha, Lazarus sister, in conversation at which time He told Her that He was the resurrection and the life and promised eternal life to those who believed in Him. This awesome promise offered to all has great credibility when one considers that minutes later Jesus called Lazarus back to life from the dead and restored him to his sisters. (John 11:21-27) Martha therefore said to Jesus, "Lord, if You had been here, my brother would not have died. {22} "Even now I know that whatever You ask of God, God will give You." {23} Jesus said^ to her, "Your brother shall rise again." {24} Martha said^ to Him, "I know that he will rise again in the resurrection on the last day." {25} Jesus said to her, "I am the resurrection and the life; he who believes in Me shall live even if he dies, {26} and everyone who lives and believes in Me shall never die. Do you believe this?" {27} She said^ to Him, "Yes, Lord; I have believed that You are the Christ, the Son of God, even He who comes into the world." (John 5:24-25) "Truly, truly, I say to you, he who hears My word, and believes Him who sent Me, has eternal life, and does not come into judgment, but has passed out of death into life. {25} "Truly, truly, I say to you, an hour is coming and now is, when the dead shall hear the voice of the Son of God; and those who hear shall live. I AM THE WAY, THE TRUTH, THE LIFE Just as Jesus came to give Himself for the sins of the world, He promised that when He left this world He would continue to express His love by preparing a place in heaven for those who love God. Jesus was clear however in letting others know that He was the only way to this place as He Himself embodied the truth and was the only source of eternal life. If one wants to live with God forever the words of Jesus should not be ignored when He said, "...no one comes to the Father, but through Me." (John 14:1-6) "Let not your heart be troubled; believe in God, believe also in Me. {2} " In My Father's house are many dwelling places; if it were not so, I would have told you; for I go to prepare a place for you. {3} "And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again, and receive you to Myself; that where I am, there you may be also. {4} "And you know the way where I am going." {5} Thomas said^ to Him, "Lord, we do not know where You are going, how do we know the way?" {6} Jesus said^ to him, "I am the way, and the truth, and the life; no one comes to the Father, but through Me. I HAVE NOT COME TO CALL THE RIGHTEOUS BUT SINNERS TO REPENTANCE The salvation which Jesus brought to this world is not just about going to heaven one day but it also includes finding deliverance from the presence of sin in our lives. Jesus compares the sinful state of man to that of one who is sick and in need of a physician. Jesus of course is the great physician and when we repent of our sin and begin to follow him Jesus begins to bring healing and restoration to our lives. When the self righteous religious leaders of Jesus day complained that he spent time with sinners Jesus explained himself in the following account recorded in the Gospel of Luke. (Luke 5:29-32) And Levi gave a big reception for Him in his house; and there was a great crowd of tax-gatherers and other people who were reclining at the table with them. {30} And the Pharisees and their scribes began grumbling at His disciples, saying, "Why do you eat and drink with the tax-gatherers and sinners?" {31} And Jesus answered and said to them, "It is not those who are well who need a physician, but those who are sick. {32} I have not come to call the righteous but sinners to repentance." The Apostle Peter understood this truth and preached it boldly in the days of the early church when he said, "For you first, God raised up His Servant (Jesus), and sent Him to bless you by turning every one of you from your wicked ways." (Acts 3:26)
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