John's Gospel - The Seven I Am's of Jesus
Have you ever noticed that John's gospel is ordered by numbers – there are elements of by twos, threes and sevens? This short work explores one of these - the seven time's Jesus stated "I Am ..."
Seven “I Am’s” of Jesus - “ἐγώ εἰμι” literally “I, I am”
1. I am the bread of life (6:35, repeated at 6:48), the bread that came down from heaven (6:41) and I am the living bread (6:51).
The bread of life is spiritual bread – it is required to live in Christ. Christ is to our spirit, as bread is to our body, hence the analogy. This analogy can be taken further – as we eat bread daily, so we require Christ daily. A natural person on whatever he feeds upon will die; in this natural state he is dead in trespasses and sins. Those that feed upon the bread of life have life everlasting. Jesus Christ ‘quickens’ or better ‘brings to life’ those that believe in him; he provides nourishment for those that exercise grace, and renews their spiritual strength.
2. I am the light of the world (8:12, repeated at 9:5)
The natural person is in darkness – spiritual light can only be provided by our Lord and Saviour. A natural person stays in darkness all his or her life unless he or she believes in the Lord Jesus Christ. Those that faithfully accept Jesus Christ as their saviour are placed into a position of light – they can see the reality of the world, and of eternal life, and they have a Savour in whom they can trustfully follow. As one has put it, it is no good viewing Christ as one would view a light-house, but rather one must be in the light and must follow the light – it is a beacon for our journey in life. In declaring he is the light, Jesus declares he is the Messiah (e.g. the Christ) – Isaiah 42:6, 49:6. “I will also give You as a light to the Gentiles, That You should be My salvation to the ends of the earth.”
3. I am the door of the sheep (10:7), I am the door (10:9). This is also a theme taken up by John in Revelation 3.
only by this door, that is, Christ Jesus, through faith, that we can enter into a relationship with God. There is only one door; meaning there is no other way into heaven. There is only one shepherd, meaning there is no religion; except that of following Christ, that is the Messiah.4. I am the good shepherd (10:11).
The image of the shepherd is a recurring theme of the Bible. Our Lord declares he is the head-shepherd of God’s people – all others had fallen away: “So they were scattered because there was no shepherd; and they became food for all the beasts of the field when they were scattered” Ezekiel 34:5. He was sent to the lost sheep, as the shepherd prophesied of in Genesis 29:24 “But his bow remained in strength, and the arms of his hands were made strong by the hands of the Mighty God of Jacob. From there is the Shepherd, the Stone of Israel” Genesis 49:24.
a. The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep (10:11)
A good shepherd exposes himself to the dangers of the natural world. David, a type of Christ, did so with the bear and lion for the sake of the flock (1 Samuel 17:34). Jesus Christ is a priest, and is the ransom price of his own sheep. Such a good shepherd (10:12) delivers the flock from the wolf and lion; the idolatrous sexually perverted world.
b. The good shepherd know my own and my own know me (10:14)
There is a close and intimate relationship between the shepherd (Jesus Christ) and his sheep (those that believe on him). Jesus knows his own personally, and a Christian knows Christ personally. Jesus is a friend that never fails or leaves the one that follows him.
5. I am the resurrection and the life (11:25)
Jesus has the power to resurrect to life; thus correcting Martha’s notion that Jesus was merely a good rabbi, as they both grappled with the death of Lazarus, Martha’s brother. Jesus here declares that death came by Adam (hence Lazarus is dead) but life came by the Christ. Only the Divine could say this; thus Jesus declares himself God.
6. I am the way, the truth and the life (14:6)
In response to the question by Thomas: “Lord, we do not know where You are going, and how can we know the way?” Jesus provides this provocative response; “I am the way!” Thomas assumed the road to Judah was the way! Jesus’ response states: I am the truth – that is the true Messiah, the fulfilment of the Old Testament ceremonies and sacrifices (Consider the first five chapters of Leviticus in regard the position Christ takes before God the Father). Christ is the beginning of life – the root and foundation of it; the redeemer and giver of our natural, spiritual and eternal life. He is the way of life or “living way”. He so by declares there is no other way: “No one comes to the Father except through Me”. This complements John 10:7 – he is the door and there is no other way into the Father, except by the Son: “Jesus said to him, "I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me.”
7. I am the true vine (repeated at 15:5)
The last phrase is most instructive in understanding the former: “for without Me you can do nothing”. As a branch must be connected to the root to survive, so must one who requires eternal life be connect to Jesus Christ. The habit of a Christian is to have a close association with Christ and his people. This will preclude having a close association with the world. Although some may appear to be doing “something good”, no one can do any spiritual good without being in Christ. The sustainability of this ‘good’ rests with abiding in Christ.
