Page 9 - June 2022 - Truth & Tidings

In this series, we will be looking at seven a calm, so that the waves thereof are still”
metaphorical “I AM” statements of the (v29 KJV).
Lord Jesus in John’s Gospel. We’ll search The use of the phrase authoritatively in
out the theological significance and practi- response to those who sought to take Him
cal applications of the phrases: in the garden (18:5) caused all of them to
• I AM the bread of life (6:35) fall to the ground in obeisance, initiating
• I AM the light of the world (8:12) echoes of Isaiah 45:23.
• I AM the door (10:9) And then there is John 8:58. In conver-
• I AM the good shepherd (10:11) sation with certain Jews, the Lord tried
• I AM the resurrection and the life to show them their bondage. Proclaiming
(11:25) freedom through truth and the Son only
• I AM the way, the truth and the life produced confusion because they saw
themselves as a generation that had never
(14:6) been in bondage. The Lord cut through
• I AM the true vine (15:1) their charade with the powerfully succinct
At the outset, we should address some phrase, “Whosoever committeth sin is the
other “I AM” statements in John’s Gospel servant of sin” (8:34). They had become
that are not metaphorical. While we do content in their slavery and couldn’t see
concede that “the expression bears no that God’s promised Deliverer was before
necessary theological baggage,” there their very eyes! As the argument intensi-
2
are times when the Lord Jesus utters this fied, they tried to justify themselves as
phrase in which it clearly carries overtones descendants of Abraham, attacking the
of the burning bush. Lord’s claims and character until He ut-
Upon the Samaritan woman’s confes- tered the mouth-stopping phrase, which
sion that she knew the Messiah was com- would literally read, “Before Abraham
ing, and to cut through the confusion in sprang into existence, I AM.” The gram-
her mind surrounding the “living water,” mar is not a mistake, and the meaning
the Lord carefully chose the words “I would not be mistaken. The Man in their
AM is speaking to you” (4:26). Thus, she midst had just intentionally invoked the
became confident that the One who gave Divine Title, laying claim to deity and
water from the rock in the wilderness angering them even further. There could
had now provided her with “that living be no misunderstanding His claim. The
water.” bondage was real, the Redeemer had
When the disciples were toiling in row- come, and today He continues to be the I
ing and full of fear as the Lord approached AM of Moses’ time.
them on the stormy sea, He calmed them Setting our course to touch on these
with words that surpassed mere encour- expressions of sacred importance, having
agement. The literal phrase, “I AM, stop put our faith in the One who has proven
being afraid” (6:20), reminded them of faithful throughout history, our lips are
the Object of praise in the 107th Psalm of
whom it is written, “He maketh the storm moved to sing the simplest of childhood
hymns:
² D.A. Carson, The Gospel According to John
(Grand Rapids, MI: William B. Eerdmans, 1991), The God that lived in Moses’ time is just
275. the same today.

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