I AM Statement #9: I Am He (John 8:24, 28; 13:19; 18:5-8)

2022-05-08

In many ways, the phrase “I am he” is the same as “I am,” which we discussed yesterday. When Jesus said, “I am he,” the “he” is supplied by the translator and not in the original writings. However, if we take the “he” at face value, the phrase “I am he” is used several times in the book of Isaiah referring to the LORD Himself. The context in these cases means that He is God, and there is no one else:

• Isaiah 41:4: Who hath wrought and done it, calling the generations from the beginning? I the LORD, the first, and with the last; I am he.
• Isaiah 43:10-13: Ye are my witnesses, saith the LORD, and my servant whom I have chosen: that ye may know and believe me, and understand that I am he: before me there was no God formed, neither shall there be after me. I, even I, am the LORD; and beside me there is no saviour. I have declared, and have saved, and I have shewed, when there was no strange god among you: therefore ye are my witnesses, saith the LORD, that I am God. Yea, before the day was I am he; and there is none that can deliver out of my hand: I will work, and who shall let it?
• Isaiah 46:4: And even to your old age I am he; and even to hoar hairs will I carry you: I have made, and I will bear; even I will carry, and will deliver you.
• Isaiah 48:12: Hearken unto me, O Jacob and Israel, my called; I am he; I am the first, I also am the last.
• Isaiah 52:6: Therefore my people shall know my name: therefore they shall know in that day that I am he that doth speak: behold, it is I.

When Jesus said, “I am he,” He was declaring that He is God. We discussed this some time ago. But how does Jesus mean this in the Gospel of John?

1. Acknowledging His deity is part of being saved. “...if ye believe not that I am he, ye shall die in your sins” (John 8:24). If He is not God, how does He have the power to save you?
2. People will know He is God when He is crucified. “When ye have lifted up the Son of man, then shall ye know that I am he” (John 8:28). In some ways, this may seem strange. However, on the cross, He fulfilled many prophecies, especially from the Psalms. This also implies that He rose again. His Deity is affirmed when He rose from the dead, never to die again.
3. The disciples would know He is God when everything He said was fulfilled. “Now I tell you before it come, that, when it is come to pass, ye may believe that I am he” (John 13:19). Jesus had just told the disciples that He would be betrayed. His sovereignty and omniscience show that He is God.
4. When Jesus said “I am he,” the band of men that came to arrest Him fell over. “Jesus therefore, knowing all things that should come upon him, went forth, and said unto them, Whom seek ye? They answered him, Jesus of Nazareth. Jesus saith unto them, I am he. And Judas also, which betrayed him, stood with them. As soon then as he had said unto them, I am he, they went backward, and fell to the ground. Then asked he them again, Whom seek ye? And they said, Jesus of Nazareth. Jesus answered, I have told you that I am he: if therefore ye seek me, let these go their way” (John 18:4-8). Jesus simply stating the phrase caused the entire band of officers to fall before Him. This is the power of the name of God. They should have known He was the great “I am” at that moment.