Following Judah's Lion

I AM (אהיה)

In order to communicate to the people of earth God tells Moses to refer to Him as “I AM that I AM”. Thousands of years later, the man Jesus replies to a question about His knowledge of Abraham with an enlightening statement that not only intentionally misuses the verb, but applies God’s name to Himself. And in a frozen moment, God the Son reveals in stark and unveiled terminology just Who He is.

Take a deep and sacred breath, there is a God, and the Lord Jesus, born of the peasant girl Mary, is He. Masquerading as just a human, or a prophet, or the son of man, Jesus not only unveils His pre-existence, He simultaneously uses the same verbiage the Father had used about Himself to Moses. Now it is more than an inference, more than a maybe, it is a statement of factual revelation that demands more than a passing thought, this truth demands faith. Many of the names that were used for God were descriptive about His attributes. Shepherd, Rose of Sharon, Strong Tower, and many others told the hearers about the nature of the eternal God. But the Lord Jesus uses probably the most sacred name ever given to man about the God of the Universe.

I AM (אהיה)

It is a trans-generational name that indicates a presence that never had a beginning and will never have an end. A presence that is everywhere at the same time and yet can be manifested to whatever degree the Divine will desires. Over and over again the Lord Jesus uses this term in referring to Himself in descriptive terms that minister to a lost and needy world that searches for the answer.

I AM the bread of life.
Bread was such a staple to the people of God and it was believed to be the manna of Moses. Jesus was that bread, that which gives nourishment to the flesh and bones. Earthly bread gives strength to the body, Jesus parlays that to teach that He gives life to the Spirit. The Table of Shewbread represented God Himself and more specifically the coming God man, Yeshua.

I AM the door.
Here the Lord Jesus reveals Himself as the portal to eternal life. He alone is God’s door. This is not a door of achievement, not a way to be learned, and certainly not a course to be taken. This is Jesus, the sacrificial door, the only entrance into God’s eternal presence.

I AM the light of the world.
The whole world was in darkness, and even the Jews had so changed the commandments that they too were in darkness. Jesus says that He is the light of the world, not just the Jews, but the entire world.

I AM the Good Shepherd
People like sheep need a shepherd and Jesus names Himself as the Good Shepherd. His motives are pure and His skills are without rival.

I AM the resurrection and the life.
He is the substance about which all the prophets provided a shadow. He not only provides for us a resurrection, He is the resurrection that brings eternal life.

I AM the true vine.
Grapes were such a staple of the Hebrew people, and the vine from which come life was of greatest importance. No grapes could live without the vine, and no one could live without Christ

I AM the way, the truth, and the life.
Everyone was searching for the life that lasts forever, and the Jews were sure the way was the law itself. Jesus substitutes Himself for the way of the law.

I AM the Alpha and the Omega
What else could be said? From the A to the Z and everything in between is Christ. He is all in all, and all things were by Him and for Him.

I AM the first and the last.
The first born among many brethren and the last One to close the door of salvation’s Ark.

I AM the root and offspring of David.
David, the most beloved of all the kings and one with a heart for God. Jesus is referred to as David’s offspring more than any other reference in the New Testament.

I AM the bright and morning star
Looking into the heavens declare the glory of God. And the mystery and majesty were all found in Jesus Himself.

Could they not see? Jesus was speaking openly, prophetically, and with a Name all of Israel should have recognized.

I AM (אהיה)

Do we recognize Him today?