He said to them, “But who do you say that I am?” Peter answered and said to Him, “You are the Christ.” (Mark 8:29, NKJV)
When Jesus walked the earth, not everyone agreed on who He was. Was He the Messiah, the One they had been waiting for through the centuries? Or was He just another self-proclaimed “wannabe”? In Mark 8:27 Jesus asked His disciples, “Who do men say that I am?” Their response to His question shows there was much dispute among the people on who Jesus really was. “So they answered, “John the Baptist; but some say, Elijah; and others, one of the prophets” (verse 28, NKJV).
But then Jesus asked the more important question: “But who do you say that I am?”
Today, not everyone answers that question the same either. Opinions still vary.
The Seven I Am Statements
The Gospel of John records seven descriptive statements that Jesus made about Himself.
- “I am the bread of life” (John 6:35, 41, 48, 51).
- “I am the light of the world” (John 8:12).
- “I am the door of the sheep” (John 10:7, 9).
- “I am the resurrection and the life” (John 11:25).
- “I am the good shepherd” (John 10:11, 14).
- “I am the way, the truth, and the life” (John 14:6).
- “I am the true vine” (John 15:1, 5).
Each statement could be a sermon within itself, but it allows us to see some of the things the Lord provides in our lives. Jesus sustains, guides, and protects us. He shows us death is defeated. He tenderly cares for us. He is the source of all truth and knowledge. He gives us the power to bear fruit. He is all of that and so much more. Perhaps that is why we call Him the Great I AM.
The Bible contains over three hundred “I Am” references. The first is found in Genesis 15:1 when God tells Abraham, “I am thy shield.” The final “I Am” statement is found in Revelation 22:16 when Jesus says, “I am the root and the offspring of David, and the bright and morning star.”
The I Am Is Present
The wonderful thing about Jesus being my “I Am” is that it’s in the present tense. He is not the “I was a long time ago” or the “I will be someday.” He is present with me right now, in this very moment. He is ready to protect me, provide for me, heal me, deliver me, guide me—whatever I need right now. He is present.
When Jesus asked the disciples, “Who do you say that I am?” Peter quickly responded, “You are the Christ.” There was no confusion in his mind. Jesus was not an impostor, a wannabe. He was the Almighty God wrapped in the flesh. Jesus is everything He claimed to be. He is everything we need. Today. In this very moment!
What is Jesus to you? Is He your “I Am”?
Comments are closed.