12 Aug The Seven “I AM” statements of Jesus found in the Gospel of John study Starting in September

Can you picture it? Moses drawn to a burning bush that is not consumed by the flames. The bush is speaking to him. Barefoot on hot sand and rocks he is given peculiar instructions to return to a place that he ran from and free the people he belongs to.

And then he asks some important questions. “Who is sending me? What is your name?” God says, “I AM who I AM”, which literally means “the eternally self-existent being.” “I AM is sending you.” This statement becomes a way to connect with God personally and is used throughout Israel’s history to convey that God always was, always is and always will be.

The Gospel of John begins by saying, “In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God… The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us” (John 1:1, 14 NIV). John wants us to understand that Jesus has always existed! He was present at creation and has always been with God.

This connects to God’s words to Moses at the burning bush in Exodus 3:14: “I AM who I AM.” When Jesus calls Himself “I AM” in John’s Gospel, He is claiming to be the same eternal God who spoke to Moses. In His “I AM” statements, Jesus reveals who He is—and who we are in Him. Join us Wednesday nights starting September 2 in the Lower Auditorium as we study these life-changing words of our Savior.

I AM the bread of life (John 6:35)

I AM the light of the world (John 8:12)

I AM the gate (John 10:7)

I AM the good shepherd (John 10:11)

I AM the resurrection and the life (John 11:25)

I AM the way, the truth, and the life (John 14:6)

I AM the true vine (John 15:1)

(Illustration by Elizabeth Wang, R-60038-CW-V2, ‘Moses and the Burning Bush’, copyright © Radiant Light 2006, www.radiantlight.org.uk)

–JT