Thank you, Father, for a productive day on many fronts. I am making good progress on preparation for Sunday and a few other things done as well. May I continue to yield to Your guiding hand. Amen.
John 8:58 (<<click here to read the passage)
I pray the Lord spoke to you in yesterday’s post (“I AM!” – There’s More! Part 1). I will pick up right where I left off! (Once again lines in blue are from crosswalk.com)
“I am the gate for the sheep…Yes, I am the gate. Those who come in through me will be saved. John 10:7, 9b NLT
In ancient times, shepherds would lead their flock into an enclosure, often made of stone. There was just one opening to get both in and out. The shepherd would sit or lie right in that spot all night protecting them. To get to the sheep you would have to go through the shepherd. Jesus straight out is the only way into the “fold” (the family of God); thus, He is the gate. This “I AM” statement connects to the next one.
“I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd sacrifices his life for the sheep.” John 10:11 NLT
He cares for us and protects us. He loves us so much that He did sacrifice His life for us. There was no other way to save us from eternal separation from Him. No one forced Him, but He gave up Himself willingly to die in our place. (John 10:18)
“I am the resurrection and the life. Anyone who believes in me will live, even after dying.” John 11:25 NLT
The real-life setting for this statement was when Jesus was speaking to His grieving friend, Martha, after her brother, Lazarus, had died. Nothing has changed, still today death brings a sense of despair, hopelessness, and finality. Jesus raised Lazarus back to life. Then within a few short days, Jesus showed the world that He had conquered the grave when He, Himself, rose to life three days after His death for the sins of all who would believe.
“I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one can come to the Father except through me. John 14:6 NLT
Jesus was preparing His disciples for His eventual return to heaven, and one of them, Thomas, verbalized their confusion, “We have no idea where you are going, so how can we know the way?” v5 And this “I AM” statement was Jesus’ reply. We who are spiritually dead are offered spiritual life in Him…again, there is no other way. There is no other gate. We cannot earn or buy entrance. Jesus is our one and only hope!
“Yes, I am the vine; you are the branches. Those who remain in me, and I in them, will produce much fruit. For apart from me you can do nothing.” John 15:5 NLT
The Old Testament is replete with references to Israel being God’s vine (Psalm 80:8; Isaiah 5:1-7; Ezekiel 15; Hosea 10:1) but they had dropped the ball time and time again, and hence were unfruitful. Jesus was God’s answer to the dilemma. By abiding in or dwelling with or attaching ourselves to Christ, we enable His life to flow in and through us. Then we cannot help but bear fruit that will honor the Father.
Lord Jesus, every time we see an “I AM” statement may we think of who You are and why You came! May our hearts leap with joy within us as we acknowledge Your unsurpassable love for us! Amen.
July 12th, 2021, Mon, 10:03 pm
