Introduction to "I AM" series.
There are seven "I AM" statements in John's gospel. When Jesus used the phrase "I AM," he made specific revelations regarding his identity and nature.
These revelations made it clear to all that he was claiming to be much more than a rabbi or prophet;
Jesus claimed to be the Messiah—God in human form.
I am the bread of life. (John 6:35)
I am the light of the world. (John 8:12, 9:5)
I am the gate. (John 10:9)
I am the good shepherd. (John 10:11)
I am the resurrection and the life. (John 11:25-26)
I am the way and the truth and the life. (John 14:6)
I am the true vine. (John 15:1)
We find Jesus as the One who satisfies (bread of life), the One who gives life (light), the One who offers salvation (gate), the One who dies for us (good shepherd), the resurrection and the life, the way, truth, and life, and the true (real, legitimate) vine. As such, Jesus fulfills the prophecies of the Old Testament regarding the Messiah, predicted His resurrection, and presents himself as the only way of salvation.
For the first four Sundays of the new academic year, we will study four "I AM" statements.