I AM THE GOD OF ETERNITY

Jn.8:58 – Jesus said to them, “Truly, truly I say to you, before Abraham was born, I am.”

The gospel of John gives a glimpse into this One who called Himself “I am”. Jesus used this phrase when He came to His disciples in the storm. The disciples were overwhelmed with fear when Jesus came to them walking on the water. He boldly declared to them He is the “I am” of the Bible. That day He revealed Himself as Lord over creation as He walked on water and calmed the sea.

In today’s passage Jesus told the Pharisees, who claimed to be followers of Abraham, that before Abraham was “I am”. This simple phrase revealed Christ as the eternal One who actually lives in eternity. In John Christ uses this phrase again in John 10 when He refers to himself when saying “I am the door”. Jesus is the only door to life, His sheep hear His voice and enter into Him and find rest for their souls. In the same passage He says “I am the Good Shepherd”. This is the Shepherd David sang about who leads His sheep into His green pastures, restores our soul, and anoints our heads with oil. in John 11 Jesus says “I am the Resurrection and the Life”. He said that if we would believe on Him we would never die. In John 14 Jesus says “I am the way, the truth, and the life” He declared boldly that He is the only way to the father. He also declared in this phrase that He is the the truth, the very reality of God revealed in a man. This declaration also said that He Himself is the author of life. The life that Jesus enjoys with His Father is now made available to us. In John 15 Jesus said “I am the Vine and you are the branches”. The life of God flows from Him in and through us as we abide in Him. Walking with Him is the key to bearing abundant fruit.

In the garden of Gethsemane when the soldiers came looking for Jesus He told them “I am He”. As he spoke the soldiers were all knocked to the ground. Who was Jesus telling the soldiers that He was? He was boldly declaring “I am the Redeemer, the Savior of the world”. John’s gospel is full of the revelation of the deity of Christ, He is the Word and the Word was with God and the Word is God. This One Who calls Himself ‘I am’ is with us today.