“I AM”

Last week a friend (fellow-writer with The Bottom Line) suggested I do a word study on the seven “I AM’s” in the gospel of John. I decided to take him up on it. Here’s the seven “I AM’s” listed in John’s gospel:

“I AM the Bread of Life” (6:35)

“I AM the Light of the world” (8:12)

“I AM the Door of the sheep” (10:7,9)

“I AM the Good Shepherd” (10:11,14)

“I AM the Resurrection and the Life (John 11:25-26)

“I AM the Way, the Truth, and the Life” (14:6)

“I AM the true Vine” (15:1,5)

Beautiful verses to be sure that encompass great hope along with the Lord beckoning us today, saying—“I AM” all you need. In addition, let’s take a look into the Old Testament to discover the first time God spoke these powerful words: “I AM”.

We understand God prepared Moses for a lifelong task and called him from the midst of a burning bush “I AM the God of your Father, the God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob…I have surely seen My people…I have come down to deliver them out and to bring them up to a land flowing with milk and honey” (Exodus 3:6-8 NKJV).  

Now, we see here God reminding Moses of promises made to His children Abraham, Isaac and Jacob. Sure enough, God kept all the promises given to our forefathers, bringing the Israelites through the red sea and allowing Joshua to escort them into the Promised Land. This name for God (I AM WHO I AM) points to His self-existence and eternality. It also defines His power in that He is the One who is/will be/and forever/ has the final say over all that happens in creation. If we’re amazed at the many miracles under the old promises, be prepared to be re-amazed with the new covenant.

Enter Jesus. He claimed in John’s writings to be God Himself. By using the words, “I and my Father are One”, Jesus proclaimed their unity of nature and equality (John 10:30). This is huge. It’s helpful for us to linger here and grasp just how much our heavenly Father undergirds us by stating “I AM” meets all our needs.