“I am the bread of life” (John 6:35)
“I am the light of the world” (John 8:12)
“I am the gate” (John 10:7)
“I am the good shepherd” (John 10:11)
“I am the resurrection and the life” (John 11:25)
“I am the way and the truth and the life” (John 14:6)
“I am the true vine” (John 15:1)
The gospel of John records 7 “I Am” statements from Jesus. These statements connect practical examples to his followers of who He is. But there is a deeper, more spiritual meaning and connection to who He is and what he promises. When Jesus was talking to others, they didn’t always understand the spiritual meaning and we see this throughout the interactions Jesus has with others throughout the book of John.
In John 3, Nicodemus comes to Jesus and doesn’t understand when Jesus talks about being born again. He questions that no one can be born when they are old and enter their mother’s womb again. But Jesus says you must be born of water and the spirit. The spirit gives birth to the spirit. While Nicodemus focused on understanding the logistical way this could happen, Jesus challenges him to search further for the connection. In John 4, Jesus talks with a Samaritan woman at a well about living water. He says that anyone who drinks the water he gives will never be thirsty again. The women quickly replies that she wants this water, so she won’t be thirsty and have to keep coming back to the well to draw water. But Jesus is drawing a picture to understand that he can satisfy unlike anything else can. The “I Am” statements also were sometimes followed up by questions from others. So, while Jesus gives us practical examples to understand and connect with, he challenges us to look deeper to the spiritual meanings of the truths he shares.
Jesus also reaches out to us today and is drawing us into a more personal and a more spiritual conversation. When we look to discover who Jesus is, start here with these statements that Jesus made about himself. Take some time today to look deeper to understand the spiritual truth behind the words of Christ. He doesn’t call us just to know the right answers. He calls us into a relationship and he calls us into spiritual transformation. Jesus gives us a fullness of life unlike anything else.
Amy Givens, Director of Youth Ministry
