We have dealt with the I AM sayings of John thoroughly. There are two kinds. The equative kind where “I Am” requires a complement in the sentence; something that Jesus is equated with. We looked at those in Bible Gem 92. Then we have dealt with the pure kind of I AM sayings in John where I AM stands alone with no complement. We looked at those in Bible Gem 38 and 62. Go back and read them to refresh your memory.
Jesus fully realised all that was going to happen to Him, so He stepped forward to meet them. “Who are you looking for?” He asked.
“Jesus the Nazarene,” they replied. “I AM He,” Jesus said. (Judas, who betrayed Him, was standing with them). As Jesus said “I AM He,” they all drew back and fell to the ground! “I told you that I AM He,” Jesus said. “And since I am the One you want, let these others go.”
John 18:5-6
From Exodus 3:14 we saw that God’s reply to Moses, “I AM WHO I AM” is the unmentionable name of God, the name that no Jew would say. Jesus has now dared to say that holy, most sacred name. The name that only belongs to God and NO OTHER. Hence their shock and they fall over.
We saw too that the name I AM sets God outside of time. We are creatures of time; He is not. He is uncreated God. All through the Gospel John records those moments when Jesus stated clearly who He is. John is the clearest gospel for seeing the nature of Jesus’ deity. It is unquestionable that He is one with God. The exact representation of God on earth. That is what is being said in the use of the terms Son of Man and Son of God. (See Bible Gem 15). Let the reader (of John’s Gospel and Bible Gems) be in no doubt that Jesus Christ is God. It is very clear in what Jesus says of Himself. Many feel that because Jesus did not say he was “Son Of God” and seem to evade the times He was asked if He were Son of God, that indeed He wasn’t. There are some who make that claim. It is not true. Jesus is in fact playing word games with those who ask. I think because He knows a person will be judged according to the revelation they have received. Thus He softens the blow for them and couches His Messiahship / His Deity / His Perfect Humanity in veiled terms. How like Jesus.
Remember John’s theme statement? How could you forget? I keep reminding you. “These are written down so you will believe that Jesus is the Messiah, the Son of God, and in the act of believing, have real and eternal life in the way he personally revealed it.” The Message Version -John 20:31
Oh yes of course this referred to the Messiah, but who was Messiah? Was He yet another prophet figure or was He more than that? The answer is found in Isaiah 9 (among other places) where we are told:
Nevertheless, that time of darkness and despair will not go on forever. The land of Zebulun and Naphtali will be humbled, but there will be a time in the future when Galilee of the Gentiles, which lies along the road that runs between the Jordan and the sea, will be filled with glory. The people who walk in darkness will see a great light. For those who live in a land of deep darkness, a light will shine.
Isaiah 9:1-2
For a Child is born to us, a Son is given to us. The government will rest on His shoulders. And He will be called: Wonderful Counsellor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.
Isaiah 9:6
And notice the prelude connecting this One with Galilee. Remember our discussion of John 7:52 – They replied, “Are you from Galilee, too? Search the Scriptures and see for yourself—no prophet ever comes from Galilee!” What follows is the story about the woman caught in adultery. This is what convinces me John meant this passage to be next to Jesus statement “I am the light of the world.” in John 8:12. The connection to Galilee and the Light analogy in Isaiah 9:1-2 which then refers to the Messiah who will come is very strong. It is a perfect statement to make in the context of the Feast of Tabernacles. (See the series of Gems on this Gem 58 – 60; especially #60) Whatever you do, don’t miss what Isaiah said of the Messiah – He is Mighty God, Everlasting Father! You can’t get a much stronger statement than that of the relationship of Messiah to God the Father.
Every part of John’s gospel is structured to help you understand that Jesus is Mighty God / Everlasting Father / Messiah / Son of God / The Great I AM.
There is one more I AM saying to come but it is hidden, encoded for us in the text of Scripture. We will save that for another Gem when we reach it.
Get rid of anything that isn’t useful, beautiful or joyful.
Regina Brett
The essence of Christmas in eight words: “The Word became flesh and tabernacled among us.”
John ben Zebedee
The FOUR stages of man:
He believes in Santa Claus
He doesn’t believe in Santa Claus
He is Santa Claus
He looks like Santa Claus
Anon