The "I Am's" of John

By Marjorie Kinnee

In a devotion during a recent Sunday evening service, Bro. Gary Wilson presented 15 "I am's" mostly from the Gospel of John, calling them "Soul Food." While taking notes, I felt impressed to study each of the "I am's" throughout the book of John and during the following week found 45 instances which are listed below. Note the progression and unfolding revelation. For instance, in John 8, it is as though Jesus becomes His own attorney, calling both evidence and witnesses to the stand to testfy in His behalf. Before chapter 8 concludes, there is no doubt as to Who He is. He declares it plainly. Although the religious leaders reject Him, Jesus continues to reveal Himself to His disciples - for these men will carry the Gospel message to the ends of the earth. And it's on their faithfulness in carrying out that task that our salvation rests. (See John 17:20-21; Acts 2:38-39; 4:12; II Timothy 2:1-2)

Note also the repetitions as Jesus bears down on specific points. Six times He says, "I am He." Moreover, He repeats themes and hingepoints on which further revelation depends. In saying, "Search the Scriptures for in them ye think ye have eternal life but they are they which testify of Me." (John 5:39) and, "But the Comforter, which is the Holy Ghost, ...He shall teach you all things, and bring all things to your remembrance, whatsoever I have said unto you." (John 14:26) and, "Howbeit when He, the Spirit of truth is come, He will guide you into all truth..." (John 16:13); Jesus let them (and us) know how our understanding would be enlightened and directed. (See also John 7:37-39.)

A big thank you to Bro. Gary Wilson for this challenging and exciting theme for study!

Here are the 45 "I am" references/instances...
 in John's Gospel...
(1) 4:26 - "I am He that speaketh unto thee"
(2) 5:43 - "I am come in My Father's Name"
(3) 6:35 - "I am the Bread of Life"
(4) 6:48 - "I am that Bread of Life"
(5) 6:51 - "I am the Living Bread"
(6 & 7) 7:28 - "Ye know not whence I am" and, "I am not come of Myself"
(8) 7:29 - "I am from Him"
(9) 7:33 - "Yet a little while I am with you"
(10) 7:34 - "Where I am ye cannot come thither"
(11) 8:12 - "I am the Light of the world"
(12) 8:18 - "I am One that bear witness of Myself"
(13) 8:23 - "I am from above"
(14) 8:24 - "I am He"
(15) 8:28 - "I am He"
(16) 8:58 - "Before Abraham was, I am"
(17 & 18) 9:5 - "I am in the world" and, "I am the Light of the world"
(19) 9:39 - "I am come into the world"
(20) 10:7 - "I am the Door of the sheep"
(21) 10:9 - "I am the Door"
(22) 10:10 - "I am come that they might have Life"
(23) 10:11 - "I am the Good Shepherd"
(24) 10:14 - "I am the Good Shepherd"
(25) 11:15 - "I am glad for your sakes"
(26) 11:25 - "I am the Resurrection and the Life"
(27) 13:13 - "I am your Lord and Master"
(28) 13:19 - "I am He"
(29) 13:33 - "Yet a little while I am with you"
(30) 13:46 - "I am come a Light into the world"
(31) 14:6 - "I am the Way, the Truth, and the Life"
(32) 14:10 - "I am in the Father, and the Father in Me"
(33) 14:11 - "I am in the Father, and the Father in Me"
(34) 14:20 - "I am in My Father, and ye in Me, and I in you"
(35) 15:1 - "I am the True Vine"
(36) 15:5 - "I am the Vine, ye are the branches"
(37) 16:32 - "I am not alone"
(38) 17:10 - "I am glorified in them"
(39) 17:11 - "I am no more in the world"
(40) 17:14 - "I am not of the world"
(41) 17:16 - "I am not of the world"
(42) 17:24 - "...be with Me where I am"
(43) 18:5 - "I am He"
(44) 18:8 - "I am He"
(45) 20:17 - "Touch Me not... I am not yet ascended to My Father" (See Luke 24:39.)

Additional "I am" references: Exodus 3:14; Matthew 28:20; Acts 9:5; 18:10; 22:8; 26:15.

- mjk

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