John’s Gospel Account records 7 “I AM” statements made by Jesus. The terminology “I AM” is actually God’s Name in the Old Testament.
Exodus 3:13-14 (NKJV)
13 Then Moses said to God, “Indeed, when I come to the children of Israel and say to them, ‘The God of your fathers has sent me to you,’ and they say to me, ‘ WHAT IS HIS NAME?’ what shall I say to them?” 14 And God said to Moses, “I AM WHO I AM.” And He said, “Thus you shall say to the children of Israel, ‘I AM has sent me to you.’”
“I AM” (or “Yahweh”) is God’s Name. It is a redemptive title which means the self-sufficient One; the One Who is able to meet any need (in this case, the need was the Exodus, the deliverance of Israel from Egypt).
Thus, “I AM” may be better understood as, “I AM whatever you need me to be.” So when Jesus says “I AM,” He is intimating that He is God!
John 8:58 (NKJV)
58 Jesus said to them, “Most assuredly, I say to you, before Abraham was, I AM.”
Only God can talk this way! Only HE pre-exists man!
Isaiah 41:4 (NKJV)
4 Who has performed and done it,
Calling the generations FROM THE BEGINNING?
‘I, the Lord, am THE FIRST;
And with THE LAST I am He.’”
Consequently, by saying “I AM,” Jesus is claiming to be the God of Israel—Yahweh of the Old Testament in the flesh!
Then He makes seven statements known as the “I AM” statements (recorded in John’s Account). These statements all use metaphors to explain His work in salvation.
A metaphor is a direct comparison (e.g. that boy is a goat). A similie is indirect and uses “as” or “like” (e.g. that boy acts LIKE a goat)
These metaphors which Jesus uses describe man’s state in sin and Jesus as the solution. They present Him as the antidote to man’s situation. Every thing man in sin is, He is the Answer.
© Josh Banks Ministries. 2022.
