John’s gospel contains seven (God’s perfect number) distinct miracles displayed during Christ’s ministry here on earth, as well as seven unique “I am” declarations of Jesus our Lord. Primarily, the focus of these statements, in context, was to His Hebrew audience that could easily connect through their heritage to each phrase He used, including “I Am” (Exodus 3:14, John 8:58) However, there is a powerful underlying message for all those that will ultimately come to believe in Christ and accept His gospel (good news) message.
“I AM” Statement 1:
In John 6:35, Jesus declared:
I am the bread of life; he who comes to Me will not hunger.
“I Am” statement 1 tells us that Jesus is the spiritual sustenance, or essential bread, for every believer’s spiritual hunger.
“I AM” Statement 2:
In John 8:12, Jesus boldly states:
I am the Light of the world; he who follows Me will not walk in the darkness, but will have the Light of life.
“I Am” statement 2 literally means that those who follow and unite with Jesus through faith will not be ignorant on spiritual matters, but will have the endowment, power, and blessing of spiritual understanding.
“I AM” Statement 3:
It refers to back to Psalm 23:2 where the faithful are given free/unlimited access to His Kingdom. In John 10:9 Jesus says:
I am the door; if anyone enters through Me, he will be saved, and will go in and out and find pasture.
True salvation is found only in and through Jesus Christ (the only door/gate) whereby one engages the promise of Psalm 23:6, “Surely goodness and mercy will follow me all the days of my life, and I will dwell in the house of the Lord forever.”
“I AM” Statement 4:
I am the good shepherd; the good shepherd lays down His life for the sheep.
These are the words of our Lord recorded in John 10:11. “I Am” statement 4 demonstrates the value God places on each individual. Certainly sheep are incapable of caring for themselves; therefore, their owners hire shepherds who are dutifully charged with the safety and well-being of all the sheep. However, many/most hired shepherds will only take that responsibility to the point where it doesn’t threaten their own personal safety/well-being. Nonetheless, there are a few … “good shepherds” … who are willing to risk their own lives and protect all the sheep! Our Shepherd knowingly and willingly laid down His life to save all the sheep of His pasture.
“I AM” Statement 5:
It teaches that whether one dies physically before the snatching away of Christ’s church, or are taken up alive at His appearing, He has guaranteed all believers that their eternal destiny is with Him!
I am the resurrection and the life; he who believes in Me will live even if he dies, and everyone who lives and believes in Me will never die. John 11:25-26.
“I AM” Statement 6:
Christ explains in “I Am” statement 6, that He is the only – exclusive — way/path to God the Father, as well as being the ultimate, inexhaustible source of truth and life. John 14:6 proclaims:
I am the way, and the truth, and the life; no one comes to the Father but through Me.
“I AM” Statement 7:
This last, Christ’s final, “I Am” statement from the Gospel of John 15:5:
I am the vine, you are the branches; he who abides in Me and I in him, he bears much fruit, for apart from Me you can do nothing.
This reflects the ideal balance for every believer’s life on Earth … bearing much fruit through a life of gratitude that’s reliant upon one’s relationship and connection with Him.
What a life we have now and forever because of the Great I AM! Take a moment right now to contemplate these things, and offer sincere praise to our Lord. — PF