As another week begins, Father, right up front I would ask for Your fortitude and grace. I am weak, You are strong. May I seek out Your face at every opportunity! Amen!
John 8:58 (<<click here to read the passage)
I can’t leave this verse without addressing one more thing. The Apostle John’s Gospel is the only one to point out Jesus’ repeated discourse entailing the “I AM” phrase. Here in verse 58 Jesus clearly, unequivocally, states “I AM!” He has said as much twice already and will do so five additional times throughout John’s account of Jesus’ life – seven times altogether!
We can know without a doubt that the Pharisees and teachers of the Law heard every one of them loud and clear. And in their darkened hearts, each was a bell tolling Jesus’ ultimate demise…they would make sure of it!
Each time Jesus uttered those two words, they were intertwined, often with the mundane normalcy of life, but His association with every one of them cemented His deity with them all, as well. Immanuel, God with us – the young prophet, Jesus of Nazareth – showed undoubtedly that the Creator was not disjointed from His creation. Yes, we chose separation, but that had never been God’s idea. From the very beginning, he had diligently, unswervingly pursued us. And His “I AM” statements show that we are near and dear to His heart and His ultimate goal – ultimately fulfilled in his death and resurrection – is our reunification with Him.
Here are some very short synopses for each of them and we would all be so much the better for studying them to a greater extent. [emphasis is mine]
“I am the bread of life. Whoever comes to me will never be hungry again. Whoever believes in me will never be thirsty. John 6:35 NLT
He had fed the five thousand and they pursued Him for more. But His goal was not a temporary meeting of physical need. His goal was to meet our need of spiritual hunger and thirst, not just here and now but for eternity!
“I am the light of the world. If you follow me, you won’t have to walk in darkness, because you will have the light that leads to life.” John 8:12 NLT
I’ve looked at several things to flesh out my thoughts but had to share this point from crosswalk.com
Jesus made this statement just after forgiving, rather than condemning, a woman caught in adultery whom the Pharisees had brought before Jesus in the middle of His teaching.
Jesus was letting them know that in a world darkened by sin, He is holy (His light contrasts the darkness) and He offers the light and guidance to those stumbling in sin. The people knew the Old Testament Scripture “For the Lord God is our sun and our shield. He gives us grace and glory.…” (Psalm 84:11 NLT). In that instance, Jesus was epitomizing the character of God as a sun (which provides light), a shield (which protects), and grace (which forgives) for the glory of God.
We’re just getting started but there is far too much ground to cover in one post, so join me tomorrow for part two of “I AM!” There’s More!
July 11th, 2021, Sun, 7:50 pm
