Author : William Stewart
In our previous article, we began to look at the “I am” statements made by the Lord Jesus, as recorded in John’s gospel. In those who have already considered, as is the case with those we will look at today, the Lord identifies facts about His role as our Saviour. Thus far, we have seen that He is:
- “the bread of life” (John 6:35)
- “the light of the world” (John 8:12)
- “the door of the sheep” (John 10:7)
- “the good shepherd” (John 10:11)
Let us continue to look at Jesus’ words about His place as our Messiah.
I am the resurrection and the life (John 11;25)
Following the death of Jesus’ good friend Lazarus, He went to Bethany where his sisters were mourning. Jesus assured Martha that Lazarus would rise again, to which she said, “I know that he will rise again in the resurrection at the last day.” (John 11:24). To this, the Lord responded:
I am the resurrection and the life. He who believes in Me, though he may die, he shall live. And whoever lives and believes in Me shall never die. Do you believe this? (John 11:25-26)
This cued a confession of faith in her, “Yes, Lord, I believe that You are the Christ, the Son of God…” (John 11:27).
He has the power of resurrrection and is the source of life. In Him, death has no dominion (Romans 6:9; Revelation 1:18; 1 Corinthians 15:54-57). Martha knew that the faithful will be raised in the last day (John 11:24; cf. John 5:28-29; 6:39-40; Colossians 3:4), but the Lord was going to show His power over death, not just in eternity, but in the here and now also, as He would raise Lazarus from the dead that very day. Indeed, “…as the Father raises the dead and gives life to them, even so the Son gives life to whom He will.” (John 5:21; cf. 11:43).
I am the way, the truth and the life (John 14:6)
Having promised His disciples that He was going to prepare a place for them in eternity, the Lord stated, “And where I go you know, and the way you know.” (John 14:4). Thomas spoke up, “Lord, we do not know where You are going, and how can we know the way?” (John 14:5). It is at this point Jesus declares:
I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me. (John 14:6)
We live in an age when folks are prone to think that there are several ways. Many do not think it matters whether you are Christian, Muslim, Buddhist, or Hindu. Even among those who believe in Christ, there is huge diversity in faith and practice. There are not many ways to heaven – Jesus said He is the only way, truth and life.
When Jesus offered for His disciples to turn back from following Him, if they desired, Peter responded, “Lord, to whom shall we go? You have the words of eternal life.” (John 6:68) Friend, we ought to have the same understanding of importance of the Lord to our eternal abode. Unless we are in Christ (Romans 6:3-4; Galatians 3:26-27), we are not in the way which leads to heaven. Unless we are following Jesus’ words, we are not in the way of truth (John 8:32, 45-46; 17:17; 18:37-38).
I am the true vine (John 15:1,5)
Jesus again uses a vivid word picture to reveal His importance to our lives. He tells us:
I am the true vine, and My Father is the vinedresser. Every branch in Me that does not bear fruit He takes away; and every branch that bears fruit He prunes, that it may bear more fruit. (John 15:1-2)
He proceeds to emphasize the need for us to abide in Him, “…for without Me you can do nothing.” (John 15:5). The branches of a vine are lifeless without the vine. They cannot bear fruit, except through the nourishment received via the vine. Likewise, we cannot bear fruit for the Lord, indeed, we are worthless and ready to be cast out and burnt, if we do not abide in Jesus Christ, the true vine.
Seven “I am” statements, revealing seven pictures of Jesus’ role as our Saviour. He is “the bread of life”, “the light of the world”, “the door of the sheep”, “the good shepherd”, “the resurrection and the life”, “the way, the truth, and the life”, and “the true vine”. In our next article, we will look at seven more “I am” statements, wherein Jesus identifies Himself as Jehovah God.
