CELEBRATING CHRIST THE GREAT I AM

“…Most assuredly, I say to you, before Abraham was, I AM” – John 8:58b

Beloved, join me in CELEBRATING CHRIST – THE GREAT “I AM.” This is the personal name of God in the Old Testament, by which He identified Himself as Yahweh. “I Am” speaks of God’s eternal personal nature and self-sufficiency. God is sufficient within Himself. He does not have to go outside of Himself for anything. He is self-existent and unchangeable. When Yahweh revealed Himself to Moses as “I Am,” He was actually pointing to the identification of Jesus: “And God said to Moses, “I AM WHO I AM.” And He said, “Thus you shall say to the children of Israel, ‘I AM has sent me to you,’” (Exo.3:14).

Jesus says in John 8:58, “Most assuredly, I say to you, before Abraham was, I AM.” On this and several occasions in John’s Gospel, Jesus by this Identity, attested to His deity. Jesus Christ is the Great I AM – the Lord God, Jehovah, Yahweh!

“And Jesus said to them, “I AM the BREAD of LIFE. He who comes to Me shall never hunger, and he who believes in Me shall never thirst” (Jh.6:35). Jesus is the Bread of Life, the Provider and Provision of eternal and abundant life. He alone satisfies the greatest spiritual hunger in my life.

“Then Jesus spoke to them again, saying, “I AM the LIGHT of the world. He who follows Me shall not walk in darkness, but have the light of life” (Jh.8:12). Jesus is the Light of the world, bringing light to a dark world as His Presence dispels the darkness of sin. His light brightens my life’s paths.

“I AM the DOOR. If anyone enters by Me, he will be saved, and will go in and out and find pasture” (Jh.10:9). Jesus is the Door, the only authentic and divinely-approved entry into eternal life and God’s Kingdom.

“I AM the GOOD SHEPHERD. The good shepherd gives His life for the sheep…I AM the GOOD SHEPHERD; and I know My sheep, and am known by My own” (Jh.10:11,14). Jesus is the Good Shepherd who cares for, feeds, and leads His flock.

“Jesus said to her, “I AM the RESURRECTION and the LIFE. He who believes in Me, though he may die, he shall live. And whoever lives and believes in Me shall never die. Do you believe this?”” (Jh.11:25-26). Because of Jesus Christ, the human being does not have to die and be separated from God for eternity.

“Jesus said to him, “I AM the WAY, the TRUTH, and the LIFE. No one comes to the Father except through Me” (Jh.14:6). Jesus is the divine Access and Connection by which we enter into relationship with God, and the final Definer of reality.

“I AM the TRUE VINE, and My Father is the vinedresser…I AM the VINE, you are the branches. He who abides in Me, and I in him, bears much fruit, for without Me you can do nothing” (Jh.15:1,5). Jesus is the True Vine; He provides nourishment, sustenance, and joy as we abide in Him.

These descriptions of my Lord Jesus Christ illustrate both His self-sufficiency and the overwhelming blessings I receive as a Believer through my relationship with Him! As the “I Am” the Lord Jesus is able to be anything I need Him to be: my Protection, Provision, and divine Pleasure. For example, Jesus said, “Your father Abraham rejoiced to see My day, and he saw it and was glad.” This implies that, when Abraham focused on the ‘I AM’, the thought of coming redemption brought him profound joy. In the same way, as I focus on Christ and celebrate Him and all that His Person, Presence, and Power mean, I will find joy in the midst of whatever challenge I may face. The Great I Am is my Ultimate Source of Gladness and Joy.

Every new day I am catching a brighter vision, clearer revelation, and more profound understanding of Him. Jesus is Lord. He is above all. His Name is incomparable (Acts 4:12). Every being in heaven and earth shall ultimately bow and worship Him (Phil.2:9-11). I stand victoriously in the sufficiency of Christ – the Eternal I AM!