Tag: John

Jesus’ Seven “I Am” Statements

Jesus’ “I am” statements would have particular significance to the first-century Jewish listener. God had revealed Himself to Moses with a resounding “I AM” (Ex. 3:14). Jesus used the same words to describe Himself (4:26; 6:20; 13:19).

Below is a list of Jesus’ seven “I Am” statements in the book of John.

  1. “I am the bread of life.” (John 6:35, 41, 48, 51) As bread sustains physical life, so Christ offers and sustains spiritual life.
  2.  “I am the light of the world.” (John 8:12) To a world lost in darkness, Christ offers Himself as a guide.
  3. “I am the door of the sheep.” (John 10:7,9) Jesus protects His followers as shepherds protect their flocks from predators.
  4. “I am the resurrection and the life.” (John 11:25) Death is not the final word for those in Christ.
  5. “I am the good shepherd.” (John 10:11, 14) Jesus is committed to caring and watching over those who are His.
  6. “I am the way, the truth, and the life.” (John 14:6) Jesus is the source of all truth and knowledge about God.
  7. “I am the true vine.” (John 15:1, 5) By attached ourselves to Christ, we enable His life to flow in and through us. Then we cannot help but bear fruit that will honour the Father.

John 14:15-31

Jesus Promises the Holy Spirit

“If you love me, keep my commands. And I will ask the Father, and he will give you another advocate to help you and be with you forever— the Spirit of truth. The world cannot accept him, because it neither sees him nor knows him. But you know him, for he lives with you and will be in you. I will not leave you as orphans; I will come to you. Before long, the world will not see me anymore, but you will see me. Because I live, you also will live. On that day you will realize that I am in my Father, and you are in me, and I am in you. Whoever has my commands and keeps them is the one who loves me. The one who loves me will be loved by my Father, and I too will love them and show myself to them.”

Then Judas (not Judas Iscariot) said, “But, Lord, why do you intend to show yourself to us and not to the world?”

Jesus replied, “Anyone who loves me will obey my teaching. My Father will love them, and we will come to them and make our home with them. Anyone who does not love me will not obey my teaching. These words you hear are not my own; they belong to the Father who sent me.

“All this I have spoken while still with you. But the Advocate, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, will teach you all things and will remind you of everything I have said to you. Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid.

“You heard me say, ‘I am going away and I am coming back to you.’ If you loved me, you would be glad that I am going to the Father, for the Father is greater than I. I have told you now before it happens, so that when it does happen you will believe. I will not say much more to you, for the prince of this world is coming. He has no hold over me, but he comes so that the world may learn that I love the Father and do exactly what my Father has commanded me.

“Come now; let us leave.

His Timing, His Promises, His Answers, His Miracles, His Goodness, His Presence

Below is a selection of verses that help us; Trust in His Timing, Rely on His Promises, Wait for His Answers, Believe in His Miracles, Rejoice in His Goodness, Relax in His Presence.

Trust in His Timing

Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding.
~ Proverbs 3:5

Rely on His Promises

For no word from God will ever fail.”
~ Luke 1:37

Wait for His Answers

Wait for the Lord; be strong and take heart and wait for the Lord.
~ Psalm 27:14

Believe in His Miracles

Now while he was in Jerusalem at the Passover Festival, many people saw the signs he was performing and believed in his name.
~ John 2:23

Rejoice in His Goodness

Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice!
~ Philippians 4:4

Relax in His Presence

Even though I walk
    through the darkest valley,
I will fear no evil,
    for you are with me;
your rod and your staff,
    they comfort me.
~ Psalms 23:4