The Treasure of “I Am” (Part 1)
Behold. Believe. Abide. Three active verbs encapsulate the entire message of John’s Gospel.
The beloved Apostle tells his readers that he wrote for the express purpose of their belief:
But these are written so that you may believe that Jesus is the Messiah, the Son of God, and that by believing you may have life in his name. (John 20:31)
Everything John includes in his Gospel—which seems so different from the other three—is aimed at achieving this purpose. To that end, John puts Jesus’ glory as the “Word made flesh” (1:14) on display for his readers that they may behold His identity as the Son of God and believe in His name.
However, John also shows his readers that not all (so called) “belief” is created equal, demonstrating that merely saying the right words isn’t enough. (Exhibit A: Judas Iscariot.) John provides other examples as well (see 6:60–66).
Ultimately, John writes so that his readers will . . .
- behold Jesus’ glory
- believe in His identity as the Savior
- abide in that reality—the fruit and inevitable harvest of belief
To accomplish this purpose, John’s Gospel has unique structural elements. For instance, John recounts exactly seven miracles, some which have parallel accounts in the other Gospels but a handful that show up nowhere else (Lazarus, for instance). He also includes chapters full of Jesus’ teaching that are not found in the other three Gospels (like the upper room discourse in chapters 14–16). Within these blocks of teaching, John records seven “I Am” statements from Christ, each presenting a metaphor to help us on our journey to behold, believe, and abide.
This Advent season, as we celebrate the first coming of Christ into the world, look with me at these seven statements of the Word that we may behold, believe, and abide in the true Treasure of Christmas. In this post, we’ll begin with the first three.
“I Am the Bread of Life” (John 6:22–59)
“There’s no such thing as a free lunch.” You’ve probably heard this maxim of economics—the teaching that somebody somewhere had to pay for whatever someone receives free of charge. However, at least once in history there actually wassuch a thing as a free lunch: the day Jesus multiplied a boy’s loaves and fishes to feed more than 5,000 hungry bellies.
Not surprisingly, after receiving the freest of all free meals, the people wanted to make Jesus their king. Who wouldn’t want that? A ruler who could feed His people without anyone doing any work? Sounds pretty good to me!
Jesus, though, evades the crowd, and when they finally catch up with Him (the next day), He shows them that having a full stomach is far too low of an expectation.
“I am the bread of life,” He says (6:35, 48). Unlike the “miracle bread” they ate the day before or even the manna their ancestors enjoyed for forty years in the wilderness, the Bread of Life will satisfy forever:
I am the living bread that came down from heaven. If anyone eats of this bread he will live forever. The bread that I will give for the life of the world is my flesh. (John 6:51)
Like the Jews who wanted free food, we are far too easily pleased. And what better proof of this than the Christmas season? The month of December gets filled with events, parties, gift exchanges, programs, and shopping. None of these things are wrong in themselves, but none can satisfy either.
This year, take time to feast on the Bread of Life, allowing Him to sustain, satisfy, and fill you. Don’t look to lesser counterfeits. Abide in the gospel this Christmas, relishing the glorious fact that you are not your own, but you are bought with a price (1 Cor. 6:20).
“I Am the Light of the World” (John 8:12)
Though only an average-sized star, the sun is the major player in our solar system. It makes up around 99.9% of the mass of our solar system. To put it (sort of) into perspective, roughly one million Earths could fit inside the sun. Unless we find a way to withstand about 10,000 degrees and 37 octillion lumens, we’ll never be able to visit the sun. Instead, we’ll just continue to be boggled by its size, heat, and brightness. However, as fascinating as the sun is, it will one day be obsolete.
When Christ returns and unveils the new heaven and new earth, the sun will no longer be necessary:
Night will be no more; people will not need the light of a lamp or the light of the sun, because the Lord God will give them light, and they will reign forever and ever. (Revelation 22:5)
Since the tragic day that Adam and Eve partook of the forbidden fruit, our world has been benighted and blinded by the darkness of the serpent. For thousands of years, all of creation has struggled, groaned, and travailed under the darkness of the curse.
But each year as we light some extra candles, turn on the twinkle lights, and enjoy an illuminated tree, we’re reminded that the Light has come. Darkness has been defeated!
In him was life, and that life was the light of men. That light shines in the darkness, and yet the darkness did not overcome it. (John 1:4–5)
Fear, pain, disease, mental illness, violence, war, famine, hatred, miscarriage, depression, disabilities, estrangement—all of these “victory” notches in the belt of darkness have been redeemed by the Light of the World.
This Christmas, behold the beauty of the light in the face of Immanuel:
For God who said, "Let light shine out of darkness," has shone in our hearts to give the light of the knowledge of God's glory in the face of Jesus Christ. (2 Corinthians 4:6)
“I Am the Door . . . I am the Good Shepherd” (John 10:7–11)
“Shut the door!” If you’re anything like me, you’ve probably hurled these words at your children more times than you can count. In the summer, we need to keep the cool air in and the hot air out—not to mention the bugs! And in the winter, we endeavor to accomplish the opposite. Doors protect us from all sorts of harm, from wasps to wind to unwelcome guests.
Jesus tells the crowd that He is the Door—He sleeps in the entrance of the sheepfold to protect the sheep from predators and thieves. He also protects the sheep from themselves, making sure they don’t wander off. He is the only way in and the only way out.
In nearly the same breath, Jesus says that He is the Good Shepherd. He takes care of His sheep, calling them each by name, protecting them from wolves and other mortal danger. He even goes so far as to give His own life for the sake of His flock. He doesn’t do this because He has to. He’s not a hired hand working for someone else’s flock. He sacrifices His own safety and even His own life for His sheep for no other reason than that they are His and He loves them.
We all know that we’re the hapless sheep throughout much of Scripture. The ones wandering off or getting cast down and unable to right themselves. We have no hope but the Shepherd. However, Scripture also tells of many crooked shepherds, more concerned with their own gain than the well-being of their sheep.
Friends, our Shepherd isn’t like that. He is good. He protects you from you. He protects you from the evil one. He holds you in the palm of His hand and nothing will snatch you out.
This Christmas season, meditate on the wonder of the great I Am.
He is the Bread of Life. He sustains and satisfies.
He is the Light of the World. He has defeated the darkness.
He is the Door and the Good Shepherd. He knows you. He protects you. He gave His life for you.
Come back next Monday, December 23 for the last four “I am” statements Cindy recounts from John. In the meantime, if you were blessed by this post, would you consider partnering with us to provide more resources like this to women desperately in need of finding freedom, fullness, and fruitfulness in Christ? Revive Partners are part of a team of faithful monthly contributors whose gifts make it possible for Revive Our Hearts to produce biblically rich content to help women be fruitful in every season of life. And when you give your first gift this month, it will be doubled thanks to our matching challenge! Learn more by visiting ReviveOurHearts.com/partner.
