In the Gospel of John, Jesus responds to the question “Who am I?” with what are called the I AM statements of Jesus. All throughout the gospels, we find Jesus revealing and demonstrating these I AM statements, proving He was more than just a teacher or a prophet. He was I AM.
God first introduced Himself to Moses as I AM—the one who was, is, and always will be (see Exod. 3:13-15). No other teacher ever dared to claim they were of God, from God, and with God as Jesus did in John 8:58. Jesus, identifying Himself as I AM, claimed to exist even before Abraham, the father of the Jewish faith. Jesus also claimed to be equal with God, to co-exist with Him, and to be co-eternal with God, who is the Father of all of creation.
These statements ultimately brought about Jesus’ death. His death and resurrection permanently impacted our identity. We have died with Christ and have risen with Him as new creations, and our very own I am’s have changed. Because of that truth, we step onto a path that is paved with promises and bound for glory.
As we come to a close in this devotional, take some time and read Jesus’ I AM statements found in the scriptures posted below. Journal down what Holy Spirit reveals to you.
Jesus’ I AM statements in John’s Gospel:
“I am the bread of life” (6:35,41,48-51).
“I am the light of the world” (8:12; 9:5).
“I AM” (8:58).
“I am the door of the sheep” (10:7,9).
“I am the good shepherd” (10:11,14).
“I am the resurrection and the life” (11:25).
“I am the way and the truth and the life” (14:6).
“I am the true vine” (15:1,5).
It’s vital to see that Jesus never denied who He was, even though He demonstrated great humility and servanthood. The King of Heaven and earth offered Himself as a gift to the world. Jesus’ power was secure in His Father’s validation and not in man’s approval. He let go of anything He was entitled to so that He could become a gift to the world from the Father. Because of who He was, Jesus was able to redeem everything, and He made all things new and He leads His believers into freedom.
According to Jesus’ I AM declarations, did Jesus identify Himself as an entitled King or as a servant to all those who believed in Him?
Read Philippians 2:6-11. Do you know the difference between false humility and true humility? Explain.
Take a moment to read through each Digging Deeper lesson and Hearing Moment and write out “I am” statements based on what God declared over you and the experiences you had with Him in your hearing moments. Record them below. Hopefully, you find at least one per lesson, if not more.
Just as Jesus’ I AM statements revealed who He was, they also express promises to those who should believe. Your identity is not only who God says you are, but your identity as a son or daughter of God includes an invitation to enter into a life of promises, favor, and glory that is empowered by God’s grace.
Jesus understood that He was a promise being fulfilled. The miracles He performed were specific and deliberate. All those watching Jesus knew He was identifying Himself as the fulfillment of prophetic promises from God that had been declared by the prophets of old. Some believed and some rejected Him because they wanted their King to be different. Some wanted something more impressive, not realizing that a King who served was unlike anything the world had ever seen before.
In your identity are promises waiting to be unlocked. We receive by faith that Jesus has made us new, and from that truth we are empowered to leave a legacy for future generations. Jesus said in John 14:6, “I am the way and the truth and the life.” Jesus was revealing that He would lead all those who believed into all righteousness, into all wisdom, and into an abundant life. As you come into agreement with and fully believe in the I am statements God has given you, you will begin to walk in the fulfillment of these promises.
Write the I am statements you pulled from each lesson below, and allow Holy Spirit to reveal to you the promise that comes with each statement. For example: During a hearing moment Holy Spirit may have shown you singing. The I am statement I would pull from that, especially if you have a gift of singing that you are maybe afraid to use, is “I am a singer.” The promise I’d pull from that I am statement is that God will give me opportunities to use my voice and His grace to do it.
| “I am” Statements | Promises that are attached to this “I am” declaration |
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