The “I Am” Sayings of Jesus Christ Point to His Deity And Speak to Our Deepest Needs

In John 8:58 Jesus says, “Before Abraham was born, I Am.” Jesus is referring to the time when God told Moses that his name is “I Am.” Here, Jesus is unmistakably claiming to be the Jehovah God of the Old Testament – the self-existent, eternal One who has always been and who will always be.

Jesus enlarges our understanding of what this claim means by providing seven descriptions of himself which begin with the words, “I Am.” These descriptions give us insight into how Jesus, as God, relates to us and ministers to our needs. They are:

“I am the Bread of Life.” John 6:35 NIV. Jesus further explains this statement by saying, “The Bread of God is he who comes down from heaven and gives his life for the world.” “He who comes to me will never go hungry, and he who believes in me will never be thirsty.” “If anyone eats of this bread, he will live forever.” John 6:33,35,51. NIV.

Jesus is comparing himself to bread. What are the points of comparison which he makes? First, the idea of eating refers to coming to Jesus and believing in him. Second, while the results of eating material bread are never going hungry and physical nourishment, the results of believing in Jesus are eternal life and deep soul satisfaction. Here, Jesus is claiming to provide eternal life and the deep spiritual nourishment which comes from God. Who then can satisfy the deepest needs of the soul? Jesus, the Bread of Life!

“I am the Light of the World.” John 8:12; 9:5. NIV. Jesus says, “Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness, but will have the light of life.” John 8:12. NIV. What’s the comparison? Physical light makes it possible to see where one is going. Without it one might stumble, fall, or get lost, and the journey would not be possible. With it, one can avoid obstacles and find a destination. The kind of light Jesus offers brings knowledge. The absence of his light brings darkness which symbolizes ignorance of God’s truth.

The claim that Jesus is making is that he provides a special heavenly illumination of the message and truth of God, which shows us how to live, how to avoid obstacles, and how to reach the destination God has for us. Jesus’ words (illuminations) show us the right way, the virtuous way, the superior way, the way of fulfillment and eternal life. Who can show us the best and right path to take, the way to live? Jesus, the Light of the World!

“I am the Gate (Door).” John 10:7,9. NIV. Jesus says, “Whoever enters through me will be saved (kept safe). He will come in and out and find pasture.” John 10:9. NIV. Jesus uses the illustration of a sheep pen and its gate to communicate that he is the “Gate” by which believers enter in to find a place of safety and by which they may go in and out to find personal provision (pasture) for their lives.

Here, Jesus claims to be the Entrance to all the provisions and protections of God. People wander about today, feeling unfulfilled, seeking they know not what, sensing that there is ultimate reality but never discovering it. For them and for all of us, Jesus is the Entrance into God’s sufficient provision. Only Jesus can provide this. He is the Gate.

“I am the Good Shepherd.” John 10:11,14. NIV. Jesus says, “The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep,” and “I know my sheep and my sheep know me.” Here, Jesus describes himself as being like a shepherd. As the good shepherd, he protects and cares for all those who believe in him, his “sheep.” Just as a true shepherd is fully committed and willing to die to protect the sheep, so Jesus died to redeem us from the penalty of sin.

He also knows us by name, and we recognize his voice, and we know him. This tells us that the life of faith in Christ is one of relationship, fellowship, and love with our great and good shepherd, and that our relationship with God is not impersonal or distant, but close and tender. Who then can adequately shepherd us through life? Jesus, the Good Shepherd.

“I am the Resurrection and the Life.” John 11:25. NIV. Jesus made this statement just before he raised Lazarus from the dead after Lazarus had been in the grave for four days. In so doing, he demonstrates his authority over death and verifies his ability to give eternal life. Jesus states, “He who believes in me will live, even though he dies; and whosoever lives and believes in me will never die.” John 11:25,26. NIV. Who can guarantee an imperishable resurrected body and life with God beyond the grave? Jesus, the Resurrection and the Life.

“I am the Way, the Truth, and the Life.” John 14:6. NIV. Jesus adds, “No one comes to the Father except through me.” John 14:6. NIV. Here Jesus claims to be the exclusive way/road/path to God. So, if a person wants to approach and meet God, he must approach and meet Jesus; this is how he will find God. “He is not one way among many, he is the (only) way.” NIV note on John 14:6.

Also, he is the Absolute Truth about everything. He is the standard by which all other truth claims are measured. He cannot lie. What he tells us is invariably correct and true to both earthly and heavenly realities. He is trustworthy; we need never doubt him. We can safely stake our life and eternal future on what he says.

Moreover, he is the Life. As the Life, he is the source of God’s life for now and for eternity. Who is the Way to God, the Absolute Truth about everything, and the Giver of Eternal Life? Only Jesus.

“I am the True Vine.” John 15:1. NIV. Jesus says, “I am the vine, you are the branches. If a man remains in me and I in him, he will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing.” John 15:5. NIV. Jesus is claiming to be the Divine Source of strength, guidance, and ability to do good works which glorify God for those who believe in him. The good fruit which is produced out of a life which stays close to God in prayer and meditates on his Word, is a godly life.” NIV note on John 15:2.

A living union with Christ is necessary to produce virtue and to engage lovingly with others on behalf of God. This is because we are sinful by nature and need Christ’s life in us to succeed in righteous living. Who then, can enable us to bear this good fruit – to resist temptation, love others as ourselves, and love God with all our being? Only Jesus, the True Vine.

Summary. As the Bread of Life, Jesus claims to satisfy the deepest needs of the soul; as the Light of the World he claims to bring heavenly illumination about the truth of God; as the Gate he claims to be the Entrance to all the protections and provisions of God; as the Good Shepherd he claims to protect and care for believers and establish a personal relationship with each one; as the Resurrection and the Life he claims to give eternal life and a resurrected body that’s fit to live in eternity with him; as the Way, Truth, and Life he claims to be the only way to God, Absolute Truth, and the Giver of eternal life; and as the True Vine he claims to be the Divine Source of strength, guidance, and the ability to do good works which please God.

Each of these “I AM” statements presupposes Deity. If he were not God, Jesus couldn’t fulfill any of them.

Christ’s “I Am” Provisions Meet our Deepest Needs. These descriptions of the Person of Christ are exactly what all of us need. We long to have our souls satisfied; we must have illumination if we are to find God; we need an Entrance into God’s realm and his provisions; we desire escape from an impersonal world and find that the Good Shepherd offers a personal, caring relationship with us; we want deliverance from the terror of death. Jesus gives eternal life and makes us fit for heaven; we need to find the Way to God, to know Truth which is absolutely dependable, and experience abundant God-breathed never-ending Life; and we require a source of strength to live for God once we have believed in Him. Jesus Christ is all of these things to us because of his Deity and his love. It’s safe to rest in Him as everything we need in this life and beyond.

Note: This presentations of “The ‘I Am’ Sayings of Jesus Christ” is also found in the article “Why Christians Believe in the Deity of Christ” on this website.