What Do the Seven I AM Sayings of Jesus Mean to Us Today? (Part One)

 

by Barbara Latta

Who would think they needed 600 men to arrest one? Only those who were intimidated by the power of the great I AM.

In the Garden of Gethsemane, the chief priests and Pharisees came to arrest Jesus and brought a crowd with them. The King James Version uses the word band. Other versions state multitude or detachment. But the word is translated from the Latin speira (Strong’s 4686) and denotes a Roman military cohort of 600 men. This shows what a threat Jesus was to the religious establishment.

 But no matter how many they had with them; Jesus couldn’t have been taken had He not submitted. God’s Son could not be contained by humans.

 “Jesus therefore, knowing all things that would come upon Him, went forward and said to them, ‘Whom are you seeking?’ they answered Him, ‘Jesus of Nazareth.’ Jesus said to them, ‘I am He,’ And Judas, who betrayed Him, also stood with them. Now when He said to them, ‘I am He,’ they drew back and fell to the ground. (John 18:4-6)

 Most translations add the word, “he” to Jesus’ statement. But the word “he” is in italics to denote it was added for clarification. What Jesus actually said was, “I AM.”

 Those two words caused over 600 men to fall backward, which included Judas, the betrayer.

 What He was saying to them was “I AM the one who created the world. I AM the one who spoke to Moses from the burning bush. I AM the one who delivered them out of Egypt. IAM who I AM.

 They fell flat on their backs due to the power before them. They saw Jesus heal the ear Peter cut off (Luke 22:51). Yet they were so hard-hearted none of these actions swayed the crowd. All they cared about was eliminating the threat to their power.

 You want to arrest I AM? Except for the heartbreak of knowing what lay ahead for His Son, this may have been one of those times the holy Father laughed at mankind’s attempts.

 “He who sits in the heavens shall laugh; The Lord shall hold them in derision.” (Psalm 2:4 NKJV)

 What is the deeper meaning of I AM? In His teachings Jesus gave us seven word pictures to reveal what I AM means to our lives. This week we will explore the Bread of Life and Living Water. Next week we will cover the other five.

•  I AM the Bread of Life (John 6:35) Bread is one of my comfort foods. Hot bread with butter melting down the edges calls me. Give me those Olive Garden bread sticks.

 The Hebrews were fed supernatural bread that met their physical needs for 40 years. This bread contained every nutrient a human body needed for health and sustenance. Once they entered the promised land and had opportunity to grow and harvest their own food, the manna ceased. That bread’s purpose ended.

 Jesus gives us spiritual nourishment that connects us to God. This provision is also supernatural but does not come to an end the way manna did. The bread from heaven could be considered comfort food in that our soul is satisfied, and our body can receive nourishment from heavenly food.  

 “Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceeds from the mouth of God.” (Matthew 4:4). God’s Word can sustain us where physical food can’t.

•  I AM Living Water. Nothing satisfies thirst like ice-cold water on a hot day. Other drinks will not quench the parched tongue or cleanse our bodies from toxins.

 Men have searched for a fountain of youth for centuries. They searched for water from the earth to prevent bodies from the effects of aging. But there is no physical fluid that can stop the decay of humanity because sin is the culprit that brought death.

 These explorers searched for the wrong kind of water.

 “Jesus told the Samaritan woman, ‘But whoever drinks of the water that I shall give him will never thirst. But the water that I shall give him will become in him a fountain of water springing up into everlasting life.’” (John 4:14)

 He offered this woman water that would sustain her for eternity. And when she referred to the coming Messiah He told her, “I who speak to you am He.” Here “he” is also italicized indicating it was not in the original manuscript. What He said to her was, “I AM.”

 On another occasion Jesus offered living water to the people.

 “On the last day, that great day of the feast, Jesus stood and cried out, saying, ‘If anyone thirsts, let him come to Me and drink. He who believes in Me, as the Scripture has said, out of his heart will flow rivers of living water.’” (John 7:37-38)

The refreshing water we drink to cool our throats will only quench thirst for a limited time. Living water sustains, refreshes, and cleanses without end. We always want more, but not because we are not satisfied, but because the flow is so good. He refreshes our souls and washes away the toxins of discouragement and doubt.

 I AM means there is no need unfulfilled. No provision not met. Those two words cover it all.

 But for I AM to benefit our lives, we must come to Him.

 He is I AM.

 We are I NEED.

 And when we receive I AM, our need is transformed into RIGHTEOUSNESS in Him.

 Whatever we face today, tomorrow, or in the far-reaching future, He has given us everything.

 What does I AM mean to your life? Share your thoughts.

 What do the seven I AM sayings of Jesus meanto us today? (click to tweet)

 Jesus as I AM means no need is unfulfilled. Noprovision not met. Those two words cover it all. (click to tweet)