Twitter Thread Article: The 7 “I Am” Statements Jesus Forces Us to Deal With
This article series shares Pastor Erik’s latest Twitter posts as articles for anyone to read, whether you have access to Twitter or not. You can find Erik's original Twitter thread here.
Jesus is either a Liar, Lunatic, or Lord. C.S. Lewis coined this description, showing that Jesus’ words and deeds leave us without the comfort of retreating to safer titles such a “Moral Teacher” or “Wise Sage.”
Here are the 7 “I AM” statements Jesus forces us to deal with:
1. “I am the light of the world.”
• John 8:12
• Jesus is holy and righteous One of God. He dwells in unapproachable light (1 Timothy 6:16) and the darkness cannot overcome him.
• Only Jesus can lead people out of darkness and into the light of God’s grace.
2. “I am the resurrection and the life.”
• John 11:25
• The resurrection of the dead on the Last Day isn’t just a future event, it’s rooted in a Person.
• Jesus will raise the dead (as demonstrated with Lazarus) and give eternal life.
3. “I am the door of the sheep.”
• John 10:7-9
• Doors are the connectors between two places. Jesus is the door of the sheep. Everyone who enters by him will be saved.
• The door from Hell to Heaven, death to life, darkness to life is Christ.
4. “I am the good shepherd.”
• John 10:11, 14
• Jesus leads, guides, protects, loves, and lays down his life for the sheep.
• Jesus is the Psalm 23 Shepherd of God’s people.
5. “I am the true vine.”
• John 15:1-5
• We are the branches and Jesus is the vine we must find our life, strength, and help from.
• Apart from him we can do nothing and bear no fruit.
6. “I am the bread of life.”
• John 6:35
• Jesus is the bread sent down from Heaven to nourish and sustain those who eat.
• Only Christ satisfies and fills.
7. “I am the way, the truth, and the life.”
• John 14:6
• There is no way to God the Father apart from Jesus. His atonement is the substitute that justifies sinners.
• Christ is *the* way, *the* truth, and *the* life…not “a” way, truth, and life.
*Additionally, Jesus tells the religious leaders, “Before Abraham was, I am.” This response provoked such anger that they were ready to pick up stones to hurl at him. Why? Because they knew the implications of what he was saying. Jesus was pointing to his eternal nature.
The “I AM” statements of Jesus reveal his true identity to the crowds then, and to us now. He is the Great I Am. He is the Eternal One sent from Heaven to redeem. His claims force you to answer: Liar, Lunatic, or Lord? Jesus is Lord.
Erik is the Lead Pastor of The Journey Church in Lebanon. He also founded Knowing Jesus Ministries, a non-profit organization which exists to proclaim timeless truth for everyday life. He is married to Katrina, and has three children: Kaleb (who went to be with the Lord), Kaleigh Grace, and Kyra Piper.
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TOPICS
- New Testament, The Bible (or “Scripture”)