An “I am” of Jesus: who he says he is
In John's Gospel, Jesus doesn't just teach: he introduces himself. “I am the bread of life,” “I am the light of the world,” “I am the good shepherd.” The Gospel counts seven of them, and together they form a portrait of him. This quest invites you to choose one and read it closely.
What it looks like in your day
Here are the best-known “I am” statements of John's Gospel:
- I am the bread of life (John 6:35): the one who nourishes.
- I am the light of the world (John 8:12): the one who illuminates.
- I am the good shepherd (John 10:11): the one who protects and gives his life.
- I am the resurrection and the life (John 11:25): the one who conquers death.
- I am the way, the truth, and the life (John 14:6): the one who leads to the Father.
To choose one and meditate on it:
- Read the whole passage, not just the sentence. What comes before? Who is he speaking to? What need has just been expressed?
- Observe the image. Bread, light, shepherd, door, vine: what does it look like? What does it imply?
- Ask yourself: “In what part of my life do I need Jesus to be this?” If you hunger for meaning, he is the bread. If you are in the dark, he is the light.
- Pray from there. “Jesus, you are the light. Light up my decision this week.”
If you are short on time, retain one sentence and one image. If you are a beginner, start with “I am the light of the world.” If you are shy, note your discovery in a notebook.
What the Bible says
Here is the “I am” about light:
“Then spake Jesus again unto them, saying, I am the light of the world: he that followeth me shall not walk in darkness, but shall have the light of life.”
“He that followeth me shall not walk in darkness”: light is not only an idea, it is a path to follow. Now here is the one about food:
“And Jesus said unto them, I am the bread of life: he that cometh to me shall never hunger; and he that believeth on me shall never thirst.”
Jesus speaks to people who have just eaten multiplied bread: he tells them that the true bread is himself. These phrases also echo the name God gives Moses at the burning bush: “I AM THAT I AM” (Exodus 3:14). By saying “I am,” Jesus uses loaded language: he identifies himself with God himself.
In a dialogue with Martha, before raising Lazarus, he proclaims:
“Jesus said unto her, I am the resurrection, and the life: he that believeth in me, though he were dead, yet shall he live:”
And he adds a question: “Believest thou this?” (John 11:26). Every “I am” calls for a personal response.
Pitfalls to avoid
Reading the “I am” as a mere slogan. These sentences have a context, a history. Read the whole passage to understand why Jesus says this at this point.
Piling them up like titles. You can draw up a fine list without ever living any of them. Choose one, and let it speak to you during the day.
Forgetting the invitation. Each “I am” is followed by a promise (“shall never hunger,” “shall not walk in darkness”) that calls for faith. Don't stop at the image.
Trying to explain everything. Some images have layers of meaning. Settle for the essential: who is Jesus for me today?
Neglecting the Jesus of the other Gospels. These “I am” statements are specific to John. The other Gospels present Jesus differently. The two complement each other.
Today, choose an “I am.” Read its passage and ask Jesus to be for you what he says he is.