I Am John 8:51-58 The “I Am”s of Christ 1

I Am John 8: Verily, verily, I say unto you, If a man keep my saying, he shall never see death. 52 Then said the Jews unto him, Now we know that thou hast a devil. Abraham is dead, and the prophets; and thou sayest, If a man keep my saying, he shall never taste of death. 53 Art thou greater than our father Abraham, which is dead? and the prophets are dead: whom makest thou thyself? 54 Jesus answered, If I honour myself, my honour is nothing: it is my Father that honoureth me; of whom ye say, that he is your God: 55 Yet ye have not known him; but I know him: and if I should say, I know him not, I shall be a liar like unto you: but I know him, and keep his saying. 56 Your father Abraham rejoiced to see my day: and he saw it, and was glad. 57 Then said the Jews unto him, Thou art not yet fifty years old, and hast thou seen Abraham? 58 Jesus said unto them, Verily, verily, I say unto you, Before Abraham was, I am. 59 Then took they up stones to cast at him: but Jesus hid himself, and went out of the temple, going through the midst of them, and so passed by. 2

I Am Introduction Jesus faces the Jews in the temple & they berated Him o Accused Him of blasphemy This was His bold claim to Deity! o If He was not God, then he was guilty of blasphemy! Punishment for blasphemy was death - Leviticus 24:16 God made this claim to Moses at the burning bush Exodus 3:1-14 o He is the God who is omnipotent, eternal, and superior in every way to anyone or anything! Previously appeared to Abraham, & comforted him o Promised to protect and provide to him in a hostile land - Genesis 15:1-7 “I Am” s (Lord, Jehovah [ Heb. -“Yahweh”]) in the OT: o At least 7 in Genesis - 15:1, 7; 17:1; 26:24; 28:13; 35:11; 46:3 o 21 in Exodus o 7 in Psalms (Prophetic in nature) - Psa. 22:6; 40:17; 69:8, 20, 29; 102:7, 11 o Final OT “I am” in Malachi 3:7 - “For I am the LORD, I change not…” “I Am” s in Revelation - 1:8, 11, 17, 18; 2:23; 21:6; 22:9, 13, 16 The Gospel of John contains the most beautiful and personal “I Am” s of Jesus and in meaning, express His Deity! 3

I Am “the bread of life” John 6:35, 48, 51 Jesus is the giver of bread o Reference made to the manna in the wilderness Given by God - Exodus 16:15; Numbers 11:7 o Fed His disciples and multitudes with physical food John 6: Matthew 15:29-39 o He is the source of all blessing - both physical and spiritual James 1:17 Jesus is the gift, refers to Himself as “the bread” o He is the gift of God o The sustainer of the spirit o The One through whom all spiritual blessing are made possible Ephesians 1:3 He is the “living bread…from heaven” vs. 51 “I am the living bread which came down from heaven: if any man eat of this bread, he shall live for ever: and the bread that I will give is my flesh, which I will give for the life of the world” - Jn. 6:51 4

I Am “the light of the world” John 8:12 John described Jesus as “the True Light” o John 1:1-9 - Word and the Light o 1 John 1:1-9 - Called God and the Light Jesus is the source of Light and Truth John 8:12-59 o Jesus distinguished His teaching as “Light” in contrast to the darkness of the religious teachers of his day o He insinuated that the teachers of His day did not have the light of life, but walked in darkness o Taught the people that they must follow Him to have the light “I am the light of the world. He who follows Me shall not walk in darkness, but have the light of life” - John 8:12 5

The parable of the Sheepfold and the Good Shepherd - vss The sheepfold was were sheep were kept over night! o Usually one shepherd guarded the entrance, hence Jesus illusion to this! The “porter” was at the door - vs. 3 Christians are of His fold! - vs. 16 o Entrance to His fold is one His terms! o Obedience to the Gospel is of a necessity! 2 Thessalonians 1:7-9 “Most assuredly, I say to you, I am the door of the sheep…I am the door. If anyone enters by Me, he will be saved, and will go in and out and find pasture” - John 10:7 & 9 I Am “the door of the sheep” John 10:7, 9 6

Describes Himself as the “Good Shepherd” o This suggests there were bad ones! Jesus was the protector and leader of the sheep - no reason to fear Him! o Shepherds and sheep were frequently used in Jesus’ teachings Parable of the lost sheep Matthew 18:12-14; Luke 15:3-7 Called his disciples His “little flock” - Luke 12:32 The “Good Shepherd” protects and feeds the sheep! o The sheep hear His voice (obey Him) - vs. 16, 27 o Jesus is the “Shepherd and Bishop” of our souls. 1 Peter 2:25 “I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd gives His life for the sheep…I am the good shepherd; and I know My sheep, and am known by My own” - John 10:11, 14 I Am “the good shepherd” John 10:11, 14 7

I Am “the resurrection, and the life” John 11:25 This was said by Jesus in connection with the raising of Lazarus - vss o Mary understood it in light of the final resurrection o This statement was a test of and to surprise the faith of Mary Possessing a spiritual relationship with the Son of God can make the spiritually dead alive again and the living shall not die - vss o Parable of the lost son - Luke 15:22-32 o Romans 5:10; 1 Corinthians 15:22; 2 Corinthians 5:1; Philippians 1:21 "I am the resurrection and the life. He who believes in Me, though he may die, he shall live…And whoever lives and believes in Me shall never die. Do you believe this? - John 11:25 8

I Am “the way, the truth, and the life” - John 14:6 This statement made in reply to the question asked by Thomas - vs. 5 Jesus is: o The way (this suggest one and only one way) Greek suggests a road or pathway The proper way Vs. 6b - “No one comes to the Father except through Me” o The Truth - He is not connect to a source of Truth, He is the truth! It is the essence of His being as the Divine Word - John 1:1 o John 17:17 o The Life - He is the source of spiritual and physical life John 1:4; 9:5; John 20:31; 1 John 5:11 “Jesus said to him, "I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me” - John 14:6 9

I Am “the vine” John 15: 1, 5 Relationship with Christ, as a Vine to the Branches o A lesson on spiritual horticulture Christ is the “true vine” o Father is the “husbandman” Disciples (branches) must: o Abide in the vine and bear fruit - Vs. 2 This speaks of abiding in His word o 2 John 9-11 o Branch cannot bear itself - Must receive support from the Vine - Vs. 4 o Cannot survive, “except” we abide in the Vine! - Vs. 5-6 o We glorify the Father when we abide in Christ and bear fruit - Vs. 8 "I am the true vine, and My Father is the vinedresser…I am the vine, you are the branches. He who abides in Me, and I in him, bears much fruit; for without Me you can do nothing” - John 15:1, 5 10

I AmConclusion The “I am” s of Jesus illustrate His remarkable Deity! “…the bread of life” “…the light of the world” “…the door of the sheep” “…the good shepherd” “…the resurrection, and the life” “…the way, the truth, and the life” “…the vine” May we always respect His Deity and reverence Him! 11