The Blessedness of Knowing “the Great I AM”

By Not Known

Philip, one of the Lord Jesus’ twelve disciples says to Him in John 14:8, “Lord, show us the Father, and it is enough for us.” Jesus replies him, “. . . the one who has seen me has seen the Father . . .” This is because Jesus is the very incarnation of “the Great I AM,” the living God who appears to Moses at the burning bush in Exodus 3. Indeed, the reason the Apostle John writes the Gospel of John is that we may believe that the Lord Jesus is indeed the One Whom God has sent.

Therefore, to the one who is looking for a source that will sustain and satisfy one’s life, the Lord Jesus says, “I am the bread of life; whoever comes to me shall not hunger, and whoever believes in me shall never thirst (John 6:35).”

To the one who is tired of living in bondage to sin and darkness, Jesus says “I am the light of the world (John 8:12; 9:5).” His light dispels all darkness.

To the one who desires to become one of God’s people, the sheep under His watchful eyes, Jesus says, “I am the gate for the sheep (John 10:7, 9).” He is the doorway to a true community, a safe belonging to God’s family.  

To one who longs to rest in the care and provision of a faithful protector, Jesus says, “I am the good shepherd (John 10:14).” The Lord Jesus is the true Shepherd in Psalm 23 who leads His sheep to green pastures.

To the one who lives in the fear of sickness and death, Jesus says, “I am the resurrection and the life (John 11:25).”  He died and rose on our behalf to defeat sin and death, to give us everlasting life and new hope in the new world He has gone away to prepare for us.

To the one who is seeking the way back to God, the truth behind life in this world, and the ultimate source where life is found, Jesus sums up these revelations of who He is by saying, “I am the way, the truth, and the life (John 14:6).” He is the only way, the only truth, and the fountainhead of all life. He then invites us into a living relationship with Him by saying, “I am the true vine (John 15:1, 5).” To those who want to live a fruitful live, a life in sync and in pleasing relationship to the Lord and Maker of this universe, He invites us to become the branches of this vine by connecting our lives to His, by trusting and following Him, to discover the joy of knowing and living in Him.