Who Is Jesus Christ?
Posted by Pastor Pat on March 5, 2009
25 And there are also many other things which Jesus did, which if they *were written in detail, I suppose that even the world itself *would not contain the books that *would be written.” (John 21:25)
Who is Jesus Christ? The Scriptures answer this question consistently and plainly. However, space and time prohibit us from sounding it out completely. Yet John provides for us a revealing look at our Lord Jesus Christ in what is commonly entitled, “The ‘I AM’ statements of our Lord.”
The first of the seven statements is found in John 6:35, 41, 48, and 51. Jesus Christ identifies Himself as, “The Bread of Life.” His promise to those who partake of Him is that they will never hunger nor thirst again. In 6:35 John uses a double negative. One Greek grammarian correctly notes how, “With the double negative and the subjunctive Paul is “ruling out even the idea as being a possibility: [the double negative] is the most decisive way of negativing something in the future.” (Wallace, Beyond Basics, 468).
Jesus Christ completely and eternally satisfies. John continues in verse 51 by telling us that the one who partakes “Will live forever.”
Although Jesus does not use the same grammatical structure, He also identifies Himself as, “The Living Water” (4:10, 11). This would be in keeping with the thought behind “The Bread of Life.” Jesus Christ is the sole satisfier of the innermost part of the individual.
The second “I AM” statement is found in John 8:12 and 9:5. Here Jesus calls Himself “The Light of the World.” Again John uses the double negative and again, the “I AM” statement corresponds with a condition existing within the individual. When I follow Jesus I will [no] never walk in darkness again.
The third “I AM” statement stresses the eternality of our Lord Jesus Christ and His equality with the Father and it is found in John 8:58, “Jesus said to them, ‘Truly, truly, I say to you, before Abraham was born, I am.’” In this simple statement our Lord was identifying Himself with the I AM statement found in Exodus 3:14. That the Jews understood the implications of our Lord’s declaration is seen in 8:59, “Therefore they picked up stones to throw at Him.”
At His arrest in the Garden our Lord uses the same pointed, empowered, succinct statement, “I AM” (18:5, 6, 8). What is interesting is the response of those who heard it, “So when He said to them, “I am He,” they drew back and fell to the ground.” Jesus Christ, the great I AM, the Lord of all and creator of all surrenders and submits Himself to that which He created. The power of that moment cannot go unnoticed.
The fourth and fifth statements are both found in John 10. John 10:7 and 9 speak of Jesus Christ being, “The door.” This highlights His unique positioning as the only way into the “pasture” of God. Verses 11 and 14 identify Him as “The good shepherd” who lays His life down for the sheep and whose voice is known by His sheep. This stresses His protective watch care for His sheep.
In the midst of our heartbreak and sorrow, Jesus Christ is “The resurrection and the life” (John 11:25). This is the sixth I AM statement. These are the words that brought comfort and soothing to the agitated heart and mind of Martha upon the death of her brother Lazarus.
The seventh is found in John 14:6, “Jesus said to him, ‘I am the way, and the truth, and the life; no one comes to the Father but through Me.’” What makes the last one interesting is its location. The first six are uttered during our Lord’s public ministry the last of the seven is given during our Lord’s upper room discourse. Events are unfolding at a rapid pace all around the disciples. There world is caving in. Thomas asks Jesus the question, “Lord, we do not know where you are going, how do we know the way?” Jesus responds with, “I am the way, and the truth, and the life; no one comes to the Father but through Me.” In the midst of their most pressing moment Jesus turns their attention back to the centrality of Himself.
The eighth I AM statements is noted in John 15:1 and 5. Jesus Christ said, “I am the true vine, and My Father is the vinedresser.” The essence of this truth is seen in verse five where Jesus declares, “For apart from Me you can do nothing.” Temporal life was never meant to be lived apart from Him. In fact, it is impossible. We wear our “mask” of success, yet we despair and push ourselves to conformity though completely devoid of any inner empowerment. His strength is found in our weakness. It is only as we give up that He moves in. We must forever remember that, “We can’t, but Jesus can.”
In the I AM statements we see the sufficiency of Jesus Christ. Regardless as to what we are going through Jesus Christ declares that He is enough. He is enough in this life and in the life which is to come. Nothing more can be added and nothing less will do.
Are you spiritually hungry, than Jesus Christ is the bread of life.
Are you spiritually thirsty, than Jesus Christ is the living water.
Are you without direction, than Jesus Christ is the light of the world.
Are you groping for significance, than Jesus Christ is the eternal I AM.
Are you spiritually lost, than Jesus Christ is the door.
Are you seeking comfort and security, than Jesus Christ is the good shepherd.
Are you overwhelmed by loss, than Jesus Christ is the resurrection and the life.
Are you confused and perplexed, than Jesus Christ is way, the truth and the life.
Are you exhausted and discouraged, than Jesus Christ is the true vine.
As people we consume ourselves with temporal distractions hoping to silence the inner voice that craves for meaning, comfort and calm. We have the remarkable capacity to fill the void with everything trivial and temporal at the expense of the truth and the eternal. When the dust final settles we will come face to face with this simple reality, “Only Jesus Christ is enough in this life and in the life which is to come.” May we never lose sight of this fundamental certainty. This is the message of grace that our world needs to hear and embrace. May you enjoy all that He is for us in Himself.
By Pastor Patrick J. Griffiths. For more information see the Waukesha Bible Church series on Galatians.
