The Treasure of “I Am” (Part 2)
Author’s note: I don’t often write multi-part blog posts, but when I tried to tackle all seven “I Am” statements in John, it became apparent very quickly that it would not work to cram them all into one article. If you haven’t had the chance to read the first part, you can find it here.
I suppose it says more about me than I’d care to admit that my favorite Christmas movie of all time is not It’s a Wonderful Life, White Christmas, or A Charlie Brown Christmas. No, my favorite is the live-action cinematic masterpiece starring Jim Carrey as the Grinch. (I know. Don’t judge, please.)
In this theatrical opus, Cindy Lou Who wonders aloud about the meaning of Christmas, questioning why she feels “all kabobbled” about the whole thing. If you’ve enjoyed this Christmas flick, you know that the town of Whoville goes all out for Christmas. Their “Christmas cheer” is nothing short of dizzying. It’s no wonder Cindy Lou is left feeling flummoxed by the whole spectacle.
Unfortunately, what The Grinch boasts in comedic genius it lacks in theological correctness. Cindy Lou and her new furry green friend indeed learn a lesson about the “true” meaning of Christmas. Sadly, though, they get it wrong. To truly find an anchor in the tempest of the Christmas season, we don’t fix our eyes on one another but on the Babe in the Manger—the Bread of Life, the Light of the World, the Door, and the Good Shepherd. We must behold the glory of the Son of God.
“I Am the Resurrection and the Life” (John 11:25)
Jesus was late. At least I’m sure that’s what Martha thought. She sent word that her brother was sick, but Jesus didn’t come. He let Lazarus die. Then, four days later, Jesus shows up in Bethany to comfort Martha and her sister Mary in their grief.
Upon hearing that Jesus is on His way, Martha runs to meet him. No doubt through tears she declares, “Lord, if you had been here, my brother wouldn’t have died” (John 11:21). Martha’s faith in Jesus’ healing abilities remains unshaken. And when Jesus responds with the reassurance that Lazarus will rise again, Martha doubles down on: “I know that he will rise again in the resurrection at the last day” (v. 24).
Jesus replies with a powerful statement of His divinity: “I am the resurrection and the life” (v. 25).
Martha’s hope, He says, is a Person. Her hope is standing right before her. Jesus demonstrates this by raising Lazarus from the dead and shortly thereafter, rising from the dead Himself. The Babe in the manger is not just a Christmas card decoration; He is Lord over life and death.
Perhaps your Advent season has been tainted by grief. Your days feel anything but “merry and bright.” If so, don’t be afraid of lament. Pour out your heart and your grief to your heavenly Father. Turn to Him and lay your complaints at His feet. But don’t give in to despair. Because Jesus is the Resurrection and the Life, we are not without hope. Like Martha, run to Him with the tears of grief falling down your face, but don’t lose your grip on our only hope in life and death.
“I Am the Way, the Truth, and the Life” (John 14:6)
“All drains lead to the ocean” says Gill, the battle-tested angel fish, to young Nemo as they hatch an escape plan in the animated film Finding Nemo. While this may be good advice for a tank full of fish trying to find their way back to the ocean, it’s terrible counsel for a person looking for heaven. And yet, this is the lie that our society peddles today: “We may be on different paths, but we’ll all end up in the same place.”
Jesus shatters that myth. Christmas is not just about “a way” to heaven coming into the world but the way. The Creator of the universe did not surrender the glories of heaven and unrestrained use of His deity in order to offer a non-exclusive path to His throne. Nor did He suffer abuse, mockery, excruciating agony, and the full wrath of God to provide a possible path of redemption. He did all of those things because there was simply no other way.
Our culture would have you “live your truth,” indicating that the notion of truth is as subjective as your favorite color. But Jesus debunks that lie as well. Truth isn’t contingent upon our feelings, our tastes, or our preferences. Truth is a Person. And His Word is life.
“I Am the Vine” (John 15:5)
Henry Jones, Sr. and his son—who goes by the name Indiana—have done it. They have found the “holy grail,” “the cup of Christ.” Anyone who drinks from this mystical artifact will have eternal life. But there’s a catch (isn’t there always?). The drinker of the chalice must stay in the cave in which the treasure has been hidden for centuries. An attempt to take the cup out of its resting place will result in certain death.
Though this storyline from Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade has little to do with actual history and even less to do with genuine theology, it does teach a valuable lesson: some things lose their power when they’re severed from their source. My phone’s charger cable is pretty much worthless when I take it camping in a forest with no electricity. A laptop won’t be much good to you without its battery (or charging cable), and a beautiful waterfall would disappear entirely if it were separated from its water source. Like the holy grail, a cord, and a laptop, we too are powerless if we do not remain tethered to our source.
“I am the vine; you are the branches. The one who remains in me and I in him produces much fruit, because you can do nothing without me.” (John 15:5)
This final “I Am” statement reminds us that we cannot do anything apart from Christ’s power. We must stay tethered to Him, His Words, and His love so that we may bear fruit for Him. Any “fruit-bearing” done in our own power is worthless. Like dead branches, this type of self-sufficiency is kindling for a fire (John 15:6).
Christmas brings plentiful opportunities to try to abide in our own strength. The frenetic pace of the holiday season can leave us drained of energy because, like a charger left unplugged, we failed to tap into the source.
Instead of allowing our hearts to get swept along with all of the craziness that December can bring, let’s stop and meditate on our true Treasure.
He is the Bread of Life. He alone can sustain and satisfy.
He is the Light of the World. He has come to drive away darkness. And the darkness will never overcome Him.
He is the door. He protects His sheep from threats.
He is the Good Shepherd. He knows His sheep, calling them each by name and even giving His life for them.
He is the Resurrection and the Life. He has disarmed death, removed its stinger, and triumphed over the grave.
He is the Way, the Truth, and the Life. It’s not relative, subjective, or preferential. Truth is a Person.
He is the Vine. He is our Source of strength. Apart from Him we can do nothing.
This Christmas, let’s abide in Him—the Great “I Am.”
Give women the priceless treasure of hope in Christ when you make a donation to Revive Our Hearts this month. Your gift to Revive Our Hearts, which will be DOUBLED thanks to our matching challenge, helps women around the world to thrive in Him—the Great “I Am.”
