“Our true value doesn't lie in our abilities, but rather in our identity as a child of God.” (Matt Stinton)
Jesus said many significant words that are
recorded in the gospels. There are seven statements Jesus made in the book of
John that were particularly key to His ministry, Old Testament prophesies, and
His claims of who He was. They were also particularly significant to the
first-century Jewish listener who would’ve better understood the context of
what Jesus was saying.
1.
“I am the Bread of Life,” Jesus
told them. “No one who comes to me will ever be hungry, and no
one who believes in me will ever be thirsty again. (John 6:35, CSB)
Jesus said
this shortly after He had fed the five thousand, and the people wanted more
free food. But Jesus didn’t want to keep filling their stomachs. He wanted them
to see that physical food only satisfied hunger temporarily, but He was the One
who could satisfy them spiritually.
The Israelite’s manna
in the wilderness satisfied temporary hunger and those who ate of it eventually
died. Jesus provides the bread of life that leads to life everlasting. Christ
satisfies our spiritual needs forever. Those who believe in Jesus have life.
2.
Jesus spoke to them
again: “I am the light of
the world. Anyone who follows me will never walk in the darkness but
will have the light of life.” (John 8:12, CSB) Light is one of
the most prominent themes in John’s gospel. The world is lost and hopeless in
darkness. The darkness cannot change its condition. Light must enter and
invade. One cannot see or lead others in the darkness, so light is
necessary to guide us and walk forward. The most likely OT background in mind
here is the light of God’s presence leading Israel in the wilderness via the
pillar of fire.
3.
So Jesus again said
to them, “Truly, truly, I say to you, I am the door of the sheep. (John 10:7, ESV) This statement
of Jesus' was made during a discourse with Israel’s religious readers in which
Jesus in so many words declared them to be unfit shepherds of the nation. Shepherds
guided their flocks into stone enclosures each night to protect them. These
structures had no doors. The shepherd would sit or lie in the opening to
prevent predators from attacking. Thus Jesus was describing His care and
constant devotion to those who are His.” The only way to get into God’s
“sheepfold,” “family,” or “dwelling” is
to go through Jesus (the door or entryway).
4.
“I am the Good Shepherd. The Good Shepherd lays down his life for the sheep. “I
am the Good Shepherd. I know My own, and my own know me. (John 10:11, 14,
CSB) Jesus made this statement during the
Feast of Tabernacles. At this feast, a huge candelabrum was lit in the women’s
court of the temple. It reminded the Israelites of the pillar of fire that
guided their ancestors during the wilderness wanderings. Jesus made this
statement just after forgiving, rather than condemning, a woman caught in
adultery that 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 OT scripture For
the Lord God is a sun and shield. The Lord grants favor and
honor. He does not withhold the good from those who live with integrity. (Psalm 84:11, CSB).
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.
5.
Jesus said to
her, “I am the resurrection
and the life. The One, who believes in me, even if he dies, will
live. (John
11:25, CSB) Jesus
spoke this victorious statement of hope to His grieving friend, Martha, after
her brother, Lazarus, had died. In the next verse He clarified His statement by
saying; everyone
who lives and believes in me will never die. Do you believe this?” (John 11:26,
CSB).
Death brought a sense of despair, hopelessness, and finality until Jesus spoke
those glorious words, and then demonstrated them by bringing His dead friend
back to life. Shortly afterward, Jesus showed the world that He had conquered
the grave when He, rose to life three days after His death for the sins of all
who would believe in Him. Jesus has overcome the grave so all who believe in
Him will live forever.
6.
The disciples
were confused about Jesus’ statements about Heaven, “Lord,”
Thomas said, “We don’t know where you’re going. How can we know the way?” Jesus
told him, “I am the Way, the
Truth, and the Life. No one comes to the Father except through me. (John 14:5-6,
CSB) Jesus was reiterating that all paths
of belief do not lead to Heaven. There are not many religions.
Jesus is the only way to forgiveness, the only source for
truth and knowledge about God, and the only direction to eternal
life. Jesus offers to spiritually dead people the very life of God. There are
no other options. This statement was significant to those in His day who were
trying to gain access to God’s favor through the law and their good works. It
is significant to us today because we are surrounded by many faiths claiming
access to God by a way to earn God’s favor (apart from Jesus alone).
7.
“I am the true vine, and my
Father is the gardener. Every branch in me that does not produce
fruit he removes, and he prunes every branch that produces fruit so that
it will produce more fruit. (John 15:1-2, CSB) Jesus said this
to His followers in the upper room on the night of His arrest and impending
death. Jesus came to Earth to fulfill God’s plan. By attaching ourselves to
Christ, we enable His life to flow in and through us. Then we cannot help but
bear fruit (good deeds) that will honor the Father. In Jesus (as a result of
His nurturing, tending, and pruning), you and I can grow to our potential.
Jesus was saying “Stick close to Me and you will be able to accomplish much for
My Father’s glory.”
“The more you
reaffirm who you are in Christ, the more your behavior will begin to reflect
your true identity.”
(Neil Anderson)[i]
[i] Adapted from:
· “The 7 ‘I AM’ Statements of Jesus: OT
Background & NT Meaning” by IndyCrowe
· “What are the seven I AM statements
in the Gospel of John?” by Got Questions
· “What Is the Significance of the Jesus '7 'I Am'
Statements in John?” by Cindi McMenamin
CSB stands for the
Christian Standard Bible, and ESV stands for English Standard Version.
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| Jonathan Roumie as Jesus from the series, The Chosen |
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