When it comes to Christianity the message and the messenger are so intertwined that it is impossible to separate the two. J. Sidlow Baxter shares the following insightful comment:
“Fundamentally, our Lord’s message was Himself. He did not come merely to preach a Gospel; He himself is that Gospel. He did not come merely to give bread; He said, “I am the bread.” He did not come merely to shed light; He said, “I am the light.” He did not come merely to show the door; He said, “I am the door.” He did not come merely to name a shepherd; He said, “I am the shepherd.” He did not come merely to point the way; He said, “I am the way, the truth, and the life.””1
All religions in one way or another point the way to an established end. Only Christianity says that Christ is the way. All religions state that they have the ultimate truth and that it can be obtained by doing certain things. Only Christianity says that Christ is the truth and knowing Him is knowing the truth. And all religions say that they will give you a happy life. Only Christianity says that knowing Christ is knowing the abundant life.
When we say that Jesus is the way, the truth, and the life we are not saying that He is a way, a truth, and a life, but that He is the exclusive way to God the Father, the only truth in the universe, and the only life worth living. The message of Jesus is Himself. Jesus, in the Gospel of John, makes seven, I AM statements. They are:
I am the bread of life: (John 6:35)
I am the light of the world: (John 8:12)
I am the door: (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 and the truth and the life: (John 14:6)
I am the true vine: (John 15:1)
Each of the above seven “I am” statements are rich in symbolism and they tells us the following:
When we invite Jesus to be Lord and Savior of our life we will be filled with overflowing nourishment (bread) for our soul, with the antidote for the darkness of our heart (light), with the pathway to salvation (door), with a gentle and wonderful guide in life (good shepherd), with the certainty of eternal life (the resurrection), with the only correct compass (the way, the truth, and the life) to guide us on our journey, and with the only connection to the source of life (the true vine).
Why not take some time to meditate on these seven “I am” statements and just allow the peace of God to flood your soul!
1 TOP 17 QUOTES BY J. SIDLOW BAXTER | A-Z Quotes (azquotes.com)
As we meditate upon John’s record of the seven “I am” declarations of Jesus, there are two more instances of the divine “I am” that we should include in our quiet time with the Lord. We start with the Old Testament.
In Exodus, God revealed to Moses exactly who He is and how He is to be addressed by saint and sinner alike.
Moses said to God, “Suppose I go to the Israelites and say to them, ‘The God of your fathers has sent me to you,’ and they ask me, ‘What is his name?’ Then what shall I tell them?” God said to Moses, “I AM WHO I AM. This is what you are to say to the Israelites: ‘I AM has sent me to you.'” Exodus 3:13-14
How does this Old Testament reference dovetail with Jesus’ stunning statement that ultimately led to His crucifixion?
Your father Abraham rejoiced that he would see my day. He saw it and was glad.” So the Jews said to him, “You are not yet fifty years old, and have you seen Abraham?” Jesus said to them, “Truly, truly, I say to you, before Abraham was, I am.” So they picked up stones to throw at him, but Jesus hid himself and went out of the temple. Jn. 8
This declaration carried penalty and promise, for Jesus knew that His death meant salvation for His elect and surrender of all evil powers and enemies of God.
At the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of those in heaven, and of those on earth, and of those under the earth, and that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father. Phil. 2
Jesus Christ is Lord, the great I am.
AHMEN! and Praise God!
Elaine