The Seven I AM Statements of Jesus

2022-04-29

There are seven “I AM” statements that Jesus makes in the Gospel of John. These are significant because “I AM” is the name the LORD identified Himself with in Exodus 3:14 at the burning bush: “And God said unto Moses, I AM THAT I AM: and he said, Thus shalt thou say unto the children of Israel, I AM hath sent me unto you.” Jesus identified Himself with this name in these seven instances, as well as other places in the Gospels. We will have a brief look at these seven statements.

  1. I am the bread of life: he that cometh to me shall never hunger; and he that believeth on me shall never thirst (John 6:35).
  2. I am the light of the world: he that followeth me shall not walk in darkness, but shall have the light of life (John 8:12).
  3. I am the door of the sheep. All that ever came before me are thieves and robbers: but the sheep did not hear them (John 10:7-8).
  4. I am the good shepherd: the good shepherd giveth his life for the sheep (John 10:11).
  5. I am the resurrection, and the life: he that believeth in me, though he were dead, yet shall he live (John 11:25).
  6. I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me (John 14:6).
  7. I am the true vine, and my Father is the husbandman (John 15:1).
  8. I am (John 8:58). Did I say seven? Here’s a bonus, and it is my favorite of all.
  9. I am he (John 8:24, 28; 13:19; 18:5-8). And here is another, which is certainly related to the “I am” in John 8:58.

These are not only statements of Jesus’ deity; they also show the Lord as paramount in every aspect in salvation and the Christian life. We will explore these metaphors over the next several days in very short devotionals.