What are the meaning of Jesus, I am statements in the book of John?

Beloved in Christ, Jesus employed metaphors to reveal who He is and what he came to do. He used seven ''I am'' statements to reveal his identity and mission in the book of John. Let us look at the seven ''I am'' statements and after, I will examine them in their context for your edification and comfort. 

John 6: 48

I am the bread of life

John 8: 12

Then Jesus again spoke to them, saying, "I am the Light of the world; he who follows Me will not walk in the darkness, but will have the Light of life."

John 10: 7

So Jesus said to them again, "Truly, truly, I say to you, I am the door of the sheep.

John 10: 11

"I am the good shepherd; the good shepherd lays down His life for the sheep.

John 11: 25

Jesus said to her, "I am the resurrection and the life; he who believes in Me will live even if he dies

John 14: 6

Jesus said to him, "I am the way, and the truth, and the life; no one comes to the Father but through Me

John 15: 5

I am the vine, you are the branches; he who abides in Me and I in him, he bears much fruit, for apart from Me you can do nothing

The above are the seven ''I am'' statements of Jesus in the gospel of John. By the Lord's help, let us scrutinize their meaning 

John 6: 48

I am the bread of life

Jesus was saying to his immediate audience, that He is the true bread from heaven, the one who can satisfy their spiritual hunger. Therefore, whoever that puts their faith in him will be filled, and shall have life and have it more abundantly.

John 8: 12

Then Jesus again spoke to them, saying, "I am the Light of the world; he who follows Me will not walk in the darkness, but will have the Light of life."

After Jesus came through for the woman caught in the very act of adultery, and immediately after, He made this ''I am'' statement. The unbelieving world are lying in the darkness of sin and error. But Jesus is the light that lightens the darkness of whoever that trusts in him for salvation, and follows wholeheartedly after him. When you follow Jesus, you will never be in darkness, but will be in the light and shall walk in the light, and the fruit of the light will be more and more evident in your life (Ephesians 5; 7).

John 10: 7

So Jesus said to them again, "Truly, truly, I say to you, I am the door of the sheep.

Jesus is saying that He is the only accredited way of salvation. This argues against the false teaching that there are many ways to be saved. Jesus is the door of the sheep, the only door unto eternal life, and whoever that passes through other door shall perish.

John 10: 11

"I am the good shepherd; the good shepherd lays down His life for the sheep

Jesus describes himself as good. In the Jewish theology, goodness was only attributed to God, that is why Jesus asked the young rich Man, "why do you call me good? No one is good except God alone (Mark 10; 17-18). Jesus wasn't denying his deity, but he wanted the man to understand the implications of calling him good. 

Jesus by calling himself the good shepherd was in effect declaring his divine nature. He is the good shepherd that loves, cares and protects his own flock. And not only that, but as a good shepherd, he laid down his precious life for his sheep, unlike, the scribes and Pharisees of his day, that devours the sheep

John 11: 25

Jesus said to her, "I am the resurrection and the life; he who believes in Me will live even if he dies

Jesus was speaking with Martha, respecting his brother Lazarus, who has been dead for four days. In the course of their interlocution, Jesus said to her, "I am the resurrection and the life". Jesus proved it by commanding Lazarus to come forth, and he hearkened to his voice and rose from the dead (John 11; 43-44).

On the day of resurrection, Jesus as God will exert his resurrection power by raising the faithful unto everlasting life. Jesus is the source of life, not only physical life, but eternal life as well, and whoever that trust in him for salvation will be secure in him forever, even after death 

John 14: 6

Jesus said to him, "I am the way, and the truth, and the life; no one comes to the Father but through Me''.

Jesus is the way and not one of the many ways, and He is the truth of the gospel that can set a sinner free from the domineering power of sin and death, and He is the source of eternal life to whoever that comes to the father through Him.

John 15: 5

I am the vine, you are the branches; he who abides in Me and I in him, he bears much fruit, for apart from Me you can do nothing

Jesus is here speaking about the special relationship which exists between him and his people. He is the vine and we are the branches, we draw spiritual strength from the vine. Jesus the vine, works in us to bear fruits of righteousness for the glory of God, for apart from him we can do nothing. 

The above are the exposition of the seven 'I am'' statements of Jesus in the gospel of apostle John. God bless you 

A thought to ponder 🤔 

Jesus is the way and not one of the many ways

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