Theme of John Part 2
In the Gospel whose theme is that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, the Gospel that focuses more on Jesus being God, wouldn’t you expect to see many very strong, very powerful statements from Jesus Himself on who He is?
That is exactly what we see in the book of John and that is what we are going to look at this morning. We are not going to look at all of the statements that Jesus made about who He is in John. That would take many messages. Today we are going to look on seven of them.
The Seven I Am’s
Go to John chapter 6 verse 35. This is the next day after Jesus fed the 5,000. That morning the people went to find Jesus and He had departed. They track Him down and that is where we pick up.
The first statement is I am the Bread
Joh 6:26 Jesus answered them and said, Verily, verily, I say unto you, Ye seek me, not because ye saw the miracles, but because ye did eat of the loaves, and were filled.
Joh 6:27 Labour not for the meat which perisheth, but for that meat which endureth unto everlasting life, which the Son of man shall give unto you: for him hath God the Father sealed.
Jesus tells them you are looking for the wrong bread. Labor not for the meat which perisheth. Meat is often used to describe life sustaining food. Not just meat from animals. But Bread also. For example the meat offering in the Old Testament was made of fine flour.
Instead of spending all of your effort and time wanting that meat that is temporary, seek the meat that endures forever. Everlasting life. And you get this meat from me Jesus says.
Joh 6:28 Then said they unto him, What shall we do, that we might work the works of God?
Joh 6:29 Jesus answered and said unto them, This is the work of God, that ye believe on him whom he hath sent.
Keep in mind that Jesus is talking to Jews. People who knew a lot of the Law of Moses and who were very wrapped up in doing rituals and ceremonies. Works and Rules.
So they basically ask what do we do to get it. How do we earn it?
They said what shall we do. That we might work.
Then they ask for a sign and make reference to Moses and the mana.
Joh 6:30 They said therefore unto him, What sign shewest thou then, that we may see, and believe thee? what dost thou work?
Joh 6:31 Our fathers did eat manna in the desert; as it is written, He gave them bread from heaven to eat.
The implication here is why should we believe you. Moses called mana from Heaven, what sign are you going to give, and they said that we may see, and believe.
What dost thou work? Jesus is now going to correct them.
Joh 6:32 Then Jesus said unto them, Verily, verily, I say unto you, Moses gave you not that bread from heaven; but my Father giveth you the true bread from heaven.
Jesus is talking about something much greater than the Mana. The Mana was just a shadow a type, a picture of the true bread that would come from heaven. Mana fell from heaven, Jesus came from heaven. Mana gave them life day by day. Jesus gives eternal life. Mana had to be collected every day. You receive Jesus once forever. The Mana sustained your life for a day. Jesus will sustain you with life that lasts for all eternity.
Mana was free. It was freely given to all. They only had to reach out their hand and receive it. They did not have to buy it or earn it. It was not denied to any. It was given by grace and mercy. And it was given by God, not by Moses.
Jesus gives salvation freely to all who will receive it. It is not earned or bought. And it is for everyone. The Mana just typified the real bread from heaven that was to come. And like all types they only pictured the real thing and while there are similarities of what they pictured they fall far short of the real thing.
Joh 6:33 For the bread of God is he which cometh down from heaven, and giveth life unto the world.
Jesus tells them the true bread of God that gives eternal life is in a person. A person that comes down from heaven.
Joh 6:34 Then said they unto him, Lord, evermore give us this bread.
They now ask for the true bread. And here comes the statement.
Joh 6:35 And Jesus said unto them, I am the bread of life: he that cometh to me shall never hunger; and he that believeth on me shall never thirst.
I am the bread of life. It is a declaration that Jesus came from heaven. For the bread of God is he which cometh down from heaven. Jesus said I am that true bread. And you receive this bread by coming to me in faith.
Joh 6:36 But I said unto you, That ye also have seen me, and believe not.
Joh 6:37 All that the Father giveth me shall come to me; and him that cometh to me I will in no wise cast out.
Joh 6:38 For I came down from heaven, not to do mine own will, but the will of him that sent me.
Just in case they did not catch the connection of the true bread is a person that comes down from heaven and I am that bread. He now clearly says for I came down from heaven.
This is a powerful statement from Jesus.
Joh_6:35 And Jesus said unto them, I am the bread of life: he that cometh to me shall never hunger; and he that believeth on me shall never thirst.
There is no other bread that gives eternal life. Jesus is the only true bread of life. Why use bread as an illustration. Because it gives life and because you must consume it. You must receive it and eat it and make it a part of you to give you life. It is a great picture how Jesus must be received to be saved.
The next statement is I am the Light
Joh_8:12 Then spake Jesus again unto them, saying, I am the light of the world: he that followeth me shall not walk in darkness, but shall have the light of life.
Joh 8:13 The Pharisees therefore said unto him, Thou bearest record of thyself; thy record is not true.
Joh 8:14 Jesus answered and said unto them, Though I bear record of myself, yet my record is true: for I know whence I came, and whither I go; but ye cannot tell whence I come, and whither I go.
Jesus said I am the light. Jesus is the light of the world and those that follow him shall not walk in darkness. Instead they shall have the light of life.
The darkness makes things hard to see. Light shines in the darkness and exposes things. Men do not want to come to the light because they love darkness rather than light.
They like their sin. They think that the darkness is really living.
They do not have a clue.
The Pharisees objected to Jesus saying I am the light of the world. Jesus makes a reference that He came from heaven and will go back to heaven and then says but ye cannot tell whence I come. Jesus says you Pharisees cannot see the truth. That is because they are in darkness. They are still stumbling around in their sin. They cannot see the truth because they have rejected the light.
The Pharisees had the attitude we will not come unless we see. That is not the way it works. You have to come to get the light. You cannot see without first coming in faith. First you come out of the darkness and receive the light. Then comes understanding and also life.
Come to Jesus who is the light and you get the light of life. Things are illuminated so you can see. And your view of darkness changes. You learn that all of that wickedness is not living. All of it actually hurts you in some way.
And the light of life is both eternal life but also life right now as you walk with God.
Joh 8:12 Then spake Jesus again unto them, saying, I am the light of the world: he that followeth me shall not walk in darkness, but shall have the light of life.
Jesus is the light. There is no other light.
I am the Door
Joh_10:7 Then said Jesus unto them again, Verily, verily, I say unto you, I am the door of the sheep.
Joh 10:8 All that ever came before me are thieves and robbers: but the sheep did not hear them.
Joh_10:9 I am the door: by me if any man enter in, he shall be saved, and shall go in and out, and find pasture.
This is a vivid picture of a sheep fold. They would take the sheep out to pasture by day and at night bring them back to a fold. A place of safety. They would build rock walls and only have one way in and out. The shepherd would then guard the door.
Jesus says I am the door. He Himself is the door, just like He Himself is the bread and He Himself is the light. All of these things are not tools He has or things He controls.
No He Himself is these things. He is the door. He Himself guards the way. He is the one who lets people in, and they only get in thru Him. And notice is says I am the door: by me if any man enter in, he shall be saved.
If any man. Salvation is open to all. Enter and be saved.
Jesus said I am the Door. And Jesus says I am the good shepherd.
Joh 10:10 The thief cometh not, but for to steal, and to kill, and to destroy: I am come that they might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly.
Joh 10:11 I am the good shepherd: the good shepherd giveth his life for the sheep.
I am the good shepherd
He repeats this one.
Joh_10:14 I am the good shepherd, and know my sheep, and am known of mine.
Not only is Jesus the door to the sheep fold, Jesus is the good shepherd. He watches over the sheep and loves them and cares for them and protects them.
Most likely when you read Jesus say He is the Good Shepherd you think of Psalm 23.
Psa 23:1 The LORD is my shepherd; I shall not want.
Psa 23:2 He maketh me to lie down in green pastures: he leadeth me beside the still waters.
Psa 23:3 He restoreth my soul: he leadeth me in the paths of righteousness for his name’s sake.
Psa 23:4 Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil: for thou art with me; thy rod and thy staff they comfort me.
Psa 23:5 Thou preparest a table before me in the presence of mine enemies: thou anointest my head with oil; my cup runneth over.
Psa 23:6 Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life: and I will dwell in the house of the LORD for ever.
Jesus is not a hired hand that cares for the sheep as long as He gets something out of it.
Look at verse 12.
Joh 10:12 But he that is an hireling, and not the shepherd, whose own the sheep are not, seeth the wolf coming, and leaveth the sheep, and fleeth: and the wolf catcheth them, and scattereth the sheep.
Joh 10:13 The hireling fleeth, because he is an hireling, and careth not for the sheep.
Jesus says I am the good shepherd. He loves His Sheep. How much? He says so in verse 15.
Joh 10:15 As the Father knoweth me, even so know I the Father: and I lay down my life for the sheep.
Joh 10:16 And other sheep I have, which are not of this fold: them also I must bring, and they shall hear my voice; and there shall be one fold, and one shepherd.
Joh 10:17 Therefore doth my Father love me, because I lay down my life, that I might take it again.
Joh 10:18 No man taketh it from me, but I lay it down of myself. I have power to lay it down, and I have power to take it again. This commandment have I received of my Father.
Jesus loves the sheep enough to give His life for them. Jesus is the good shepherd that went to the cross for the sheep. And He laid down His life, no man took it from Him. Jesus laid it down of Himself. He said He has the power to lay it down.
And He has the power to take it again.
Joh 10:11 I am the good shepherd: the good shepherd giveth his life for the sheep.
I am the resurrection
Joh_11:25 Jesus said unto her, I am the resurrection, and the life: he that believeth in me, though he were dead, yet shall he live:
Joh 11:1 Now a certain man was sick, named Lazarus, of Bethany, the town of Mary and her sister Martha.
Joh 11:2 (It was that Mary which anointed the Lord with ointment, and wiped his feet with her hair, whose brother Lazarus was sick.)
Joh 11:3 Therefore his sisters sent unto him, saying, Lord, behold, he whom thou lovest is sick.
Joh 11:4 When Jesus heard that, he said, This sickness is not unto death, but for the glory of God, that the Son of God might be glorified thereby.
Jesus clearly gives the purpose right up front. That He might be glorified.
Joh 11:5 Now Jesus loved Martha, and her sister, and Lazarus.
Joh 11:6 When he had heard therefore that he was sick, he abode two days still in the same place where he was.
When Jesus heard that he was sick, he abode two days still in the same place. This is not because of indifference or callousness. Verse 5 tells us that Jesus loved them. Jesus waited two days so that Lazarus would be dead four days when He gets there.
He wanted there to be no doubt that Lazarus was dead. After 4 days the body was stinking with corruption and rotting with decay.
Joh 11:11 These things said he: and after that he saith unto them, Our friend Lazarus sleepeth; but I go, that I may awake him out of sleep.
Joh 11:12 Then said his disciples, Lord, if he sleep, he shall do well.
Joh 11:13 Howbeit Jesus spake of his death: but they thought that he had spoken of taking of rest in sleep.
Joh 11:14 Then said Jesus unto them plainly, Lazarus is dead.
Joh 11:15 And I am glad for your sakes that I was not there, to the intent ye may believe; nevertheless let us go unto him.
Joh 11:16 Then said Thomas, which is called Didymus, unto his fellowdisciples, Let us also go, that we may die with him.
Joh 11:17 Then when Jesus came, he found that he had lain in the grave four days already.
Joh 11:18 Now Bethany was nigh unto Jerusalem, about fifteen furlongs off:
Joh 11:19 And many of the Jews came to Martha and Mary, to comfort them concerning their brother.
Joh 11:20 Then Martha, as soon as she heard that Jesus was coming, went and met him: but Mary sat still in the house.
Joh 11:21 Then said Martha unto Jesus, Lord, if thou hadst been here, my brother had not died.
Joh 11:22 But I know, that even now, whatsoever thou wilt ask of God, God will give it thee.
Joh 11:23 Jesus saith unto her, Thy brother shall rise again.
Joh 11:24 Martha saith unto him, I know that he shall rise again in the resurrection at the last day.
Martha says I know my brother will rise in the resurrection at the last day. Now comes the powerful statement.
Joh 11:25 Jesus said unto her, I am the resurrection, and the life: he that believeth in me, though he were dead, yet shall he live:
I am the resurrection. I am the life. It is not just some event. It is me. Anyone that believes in me though he were dead, yet shall he live.
Lazareth died so that Jesus could use him as an illustration of this truth. And it is anyone. No matter how bad or rotten they are. Jesus waited until Lazareth’s body was a fitting picture of that. I mean just totally corrupted, stinking, and rotten. And even that is nothing for Jesus to give eternal life to.
Jesus is the resurrection. He is the life. It is Him. It is to be found in Him.
Joh 11:26 And whosoever liveth and believeth in me shall never die. Believest thou this?
Joh 11:27 She saith unto him, Yea, Lord: I believe that thou art the Christ, the Son of God, which should come into the world.
You know the rest of the story well. Jesus wept because of their unbelief. He tells them to roll the stone away and Martha says Lord, by this time he stinketh: for he hath been dead four days.
Joh 11:40 Jesus saith unto her, Said I not unto thee, that, if thou wouldest believe, thou shouldest see the glory of God?
Again Jesus ties belief to resurrection. And when someone believes it glorifies God.
Joh 11:43 And when he thus had spoken, he cried with a loud voice, Lazarus, come forth.
Joh 11:44 And he that was dead came forth, bound hand and foot with graveclothes: and his face was bound about with a napkin. Jesus saith unto them, Loose him, and let him go.
Joh_11:25 Jesus said unto her, I am the resurrection, and the life: he that believeth in me, though he were dead, yet shall he live:
Showing people in a real powerful way that Jesus is the resurrection and the life is what the sickness death and the raising of Lazarus was about.
I am the way
Joh_14:6 Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me.
Joh 14:1 Let not your heart be troubled: ye believe in God, believe also in me.
Joh 14:2 In my Father’s house are many mansions: if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you.
Joh 14:3 And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again, and receive you unto myself; that where I am, there ye may be also.
Joh 14:4 And whither I go ye know, and the way ye know.
Joh 14:5 Thomas saith unto him, Lord, we know not whither thou goest; and how can we know the way?
Jesus tells them of heaven and the many mansions and how He will go and prepare a place and then come back for them. And tells them that they know where He is going and that they know the way.
Thomas does not get it and asks how can we know the way.
Joh 14:6 Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me.
Jesus says I am the way, the truth and the life.
Joh 14:7 If ye had known me, ye should have known my Father also: and from henceforth ye know him, and have seen him.
Joh 14:8 Philip saith unto him, Lord, shew us the Father, and it sufficeth us.
Joh 14:9 Jesus saith unto him, Have I been so long time with you, and yet hast thou not known me, Philip? he that hath seen me hath seen the Father; and how sayest thou then, Shew us the Father?
Joh 14:10 Believest thou not that I am in the Father, and the Father in me? the words that I speak unto you I speak not of myself: but the Father that dwelleth in me, he doeth the works.
Joh 14:11 Believe me that I am in the Father, and the Father in me: or else believe me for the very works’ sake.
Jesus said I am in the Father. And he that hath seen me hath seen the Father.
Another powerful statement of His deity.
Jesus clearly declared that He has all power. He has the power to go to heaven and prepare mansions and He has the power to take others to heaven. And the way to get there. The only way is thru Jesus because He Himself is the way, the truth and the life.
I am the vine
Joh_15:1 I am the true vine, and my Father is the husbandman.
Joh_15:5 I am the vine, ye are the branches: He that abideth in me, and I in him, the same bringeth forth much fruit: for without me ye can do nothing.
Joh 15:1 I am the true vine, and my Father is the husbandman.
Joh 15:2 Every branch in me that beareth not fruit he taketh away: and every branch that beareth fruit, he purgeth it, that it may bring forth more fruit.
Joh 15:3 Now ye are clean through the word which I have spoken unto you.
Joh 15:4 Abide in me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself, except it abide in the vine; no more can ye, except ye abide in me.
Joh 15:5 I am the vine, ye are the branches: He that abideth in me, and I in him, the same bringeth forth much fruit: for without me ye can do nothing.
Jesus gives life because He is the Way, He is the bread. Once saved He does not leave you alone. He is the good shepherd. And He is the vine.
The Vine provides the nourishment and energy that the branch’s needs. The vine is the sustainer and provider of everything that the branches need to grow and live and produce fruit.
Jesus does not save you and then leave you alone without help and support. He is there. We need to acknowledge that and choose to abide in him. Jesus says for without me ye can do nothing.
Joh 15:6 If a man abide not in me, he is cast forth as a branch, and is withered; and men gather them, and cast them into the fire, and they are burned.
Joh 15:7 If ye abide in me, and my words abide in you, ye shall ask what ye will, and it shall be done unto you.
Joh 15:8 Herein is my Father glorified, that ye bear much fruit; so shall ye be my disciples.
Joh 15:9 As the Father hath loved me, so have I loved you: continue ye in my love.
If we abide in Him, then He promises to answer prayer. And as you grow and do things for Him, with Him, empowered by Him because He is the vine, then the Father is glorified.
Jesus Himself is the vine. Without Him we can do nothing.
Jesus said I Am the bread of life. There nothing else that you can receive that gives eternal life.
I am the light. He is the only way to not walk in darkness. Only Jesus gives the light of life.
I am the Door. There is no other way into the fold of God. He is the only way in.
I am the good shepherd. He gave His life for the sheep. He is the only good shepherd.
I am the resurrection and the life. There is no other. Only Jesus.
I am the way, the truth, and the life. There is no other way. There is no other truth. There is no other life.
I am the vine. There is no other vine.
Jesus is everything. He is the great I am. It is all about Him. He does it all. This truth makes me think of Romans 11:36.
Rom 11:36 For of him, and through him, and to him, are all things: to whom be glory for ever. Amen.
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