Who Is Jesus, Lesson 9: I Am: The Seven Declarations of John

Welcome to Authorized Sword Ministries. This is Lesson 9 in our series, Who Is Jesus? Today's lesson is called I Am: The Seven Declarations of John.

We're so glad you're here.

In Lesson 5 we saw that Jesus is God, manifest in the flesh, and we heard Him say, "Before Abraham was, I am." In Lesson 6 we touched on a few of the "I am" pictures in John. Today we slow down and walk through all seven, and we start with that holy name.

Our Key Verse

"Jesus said unto them, Verily, verily, I say unto you, Before Abraham was, I am."
— John 8:58 (KJV)

He did not say, "I was." He said, "I am." That is the name God gave Moses at the burning bush:

"And God said unto Moses, I AM THAT I AM: and he said, Thus shalt thou say unto the children of Israel, I AM hath sent me unto you."
— Exodus 3:14 (KJV)

The crowd knew what He meant. They took up stones to cast at Him. Every "I am" in John rests on this: the speaker is the eternal God, come in the flesh.

The Bread of Life

"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."
— John 6:35 (KJV)

The day before, He had fed the thousands. They came back looking for more bread. He offered them Himself. Bread is daily, ordinary, and necessary. Jesus is not a luxury for the religious. He is the food of the soul. Hungry hearts, men's and women's alike, are satisfied only in Him.

The Light of the World

"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."
— John 8:12 (KJV)

The world is dark, not only around us, but in us. Jesus does not hand us a lamp and walk away. He is the Light. To have Him is to have "the light of life." Follow Him, and you will not walk in darkness.

The Door

"I am the door: by me if any man enter in, he shall be saved, and shall go in and out, and find pasture."
— John 10:9 (KJV)

A door has one purpose. It is the way in. Jesus did not say He is one door among many. "By me if any man enter in, he shall be saved." "Any man" means any person who will come. There is no other entrance into the fold, and there is no safer place than inside.

The Good Shepherd

"I am the good shepherd: the good shepherd giveth his life for the sheep."
— John 10:11 (KJV)

Hired hands run when the wolf comes. The Good Shepherd stays, and He does more than stay. He gives His life for the sheep. That is Calvary. If you have ever felt lost, wandering, or unprotected, this is His word to you. He knows His sheep, and He calls them by name, as surely as He would later speak "Mary" in the garden.

The Resurrection and the Life

Jesus said this to a grieving sister, Martha, before He stood at her brother's grave:

"Jesus said unto her, I am the resurrection, and the life: he that believeth in me, though he were dead, yet shall he live: And whosoever liveth and believeth in me shall never die. Believest thou this?"
— John 11:25-26 (KJV)

He did not only promise a resurrection someday. He said He is the resurrection. Then He called Lazarus out, and Martha and Mary saw the glory of God. He asks us the same question He asked her: "Believest thou this?"

The Way, the Truth, and the Life

We began this whole course with this verse. It belongs in the seven as well.

"Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me."
— John 14:6 (KJV)

He is not a guide who points down a path. He is the path. He is not one true idea among others. He is the truth. He is not a helper who improves our life. He is the life. And there is no coming to the Father except by Him.

The True Vine

"I am the true vine, and my Father is the husbandman."
— John 15:1 (KJV)

"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."
— John 15:5 (KJV)

A branch does not strain to produce fruit by itself. It abides. Apart from Jesus, we can do nothing that will last. With Him, men and women alike bear fruit that glorifies the Father.

A Simple Step for This Week

Memorize John 8:58, and then read one "I am" saying each day this week. After you read it, pray it back to the Lord: "Lord Jesus, You are the bread of life. Feed me today." Let His names become your prayer.

A Prayer

Lord Jesus, before Abraham was, You are. You are the bread, the light, the door, the shepherd, the resurrection, the way, the truth, the life, and the true vine. We come to You, we follow You, and we want to abide in You. In Your name we pray, amen.

Thank you for spending this time with us. This is Authorized Sword Ministries. God bless you.

Study Questions

1. What is the difference between "I was" and "I am" in John 8:58, and how does Exodus 3:14 help us understand it?
2. What does Jesus promise in John 6:35 to the one who comes to Him and believes on Him?
3. According to John 8:12, what will be true of the person who follows Jesus?
4. What happens, according to John 10:9, if a person enters in by Jesus, the Door?
5. How does the good shepherd differ from a hired hand in John 10:11?
6. To whom did Jesus say, "I am the resurrection, and the life," and what question did He ask her?
7. Why is it not enough to say that Jesus shows us a way, when He said, "I am the way"?
8. What does John 15:5 say we can do without Jesus?
9. Which of the seven "I am" sayings do you most need to believe this week, and why?
10. How will you use one of these sayings in prayer today?