I am the way, and the truth, and the life... - John 14:6Our name says a lot about us. What we call ourselves says even more.
Prior to going to Pharaoh to demand release of the Hebrew people, Moses asked God his name. God responded, "I Am Who (that) I Am." In the nearly unpronounceable and untranslatable Hebrew word "YHWH" (known as the Tetragrammaton) God reveals that he IS, has always BEEN, and will always BE. (And my attempt is but a weak description - to dive a little deeper I suggest http://solidjoys.desiringgod.org/…/d…/10-things-yahweh-means)
Thomas asked Jesus a question on the night of Jesus' betrayal, and just before all hell broke loose (literally). "Lord… how can we know the way?" Jesus responded, "I am the way, and the truth, and the life." A bit later Jesus asks, "Have I been with you so long, and you still do not know me…?).
Jesus asks us the same today.
Jesus makes what scholars call "Seven Emphatic 'I Am' Statements" recorded in John's gospel. It is clear in the gospels that Jesus claimed to be the Son of God (and therefore God) in the flesh. It was for this reason that the religious establishment of the day was so incensed and ultimately had him killed. (Their plan, but ultimately God's.)
For example: "So the Jews (religious leaders) 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.” So they picked up stones to throw at him…" (John 8:58-59).
(But my purpose here is not to convince you of Jesus' claims. It is instead, to draw some personal strength from them.)
The "I Am" statements of Christ - and what they mean to us.:
"I am the bread of life…" (John 6: 35, 48) - Jesus (and he only) provides what truly sustains us. He is both provider and provision.
"I am the light of the world…" (John 8: 12, 9:5) - Jesus is the true light that drives darkness out of our lives and provides illumination to live according to the plans and purposes God has for us.
"I am the door…" (John 10:9) - As we see also in 14:6, Jesus is the only intermediary between God and man. He gives us entrance into the presence of the Father.
"I am the good shepherd…" (John 10:11) - He cares for his sheep (can you say "bah?"). He protects and disciplines. He provides. He loves his sheep.
"I am the resurrection and the life…" (John 11:25) - Ask Lazarus, death is not the end. Jesus is life and he is the giver of life.
"I am the way, and the truth, and the life…" (John 14:6) - In many ways this statement sums up all the rest. There is no error to Jesus' path or guidance. There is nothing false in his character. There is no smell of decay in the life he offers.
"I am the true vine…" (John 15:1) - Jesus sustains us. (I realize that's redundant, but think about this; God's blessings and provision for us is also redundant - in other words, it is super-abundant!) He is the provider of everything we are and need. And when we cling to him, we live fruitful lives that glorify the Father.
So much more can be said about the I Am. Rather than continuing on, I'll simply ask this question… What is it that we need? I Am IS (that) for us!
God, thank you for the I Am… that is everything to me.
For now...
D
