June 2020 – Jesus—His Seven I AM Declarations

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Recently, our son and I watched a live-stream titled, “Arise with the Guys.” Sport’s commentator, author, and former Super Bowl Coach Tony Dungy along with Kirk Cousins, the Minnesota Viking’s QB, shared their belief and faith in Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior.

Near the end of the program, a pastor encouraged the audience to take a 21 day challenge in the book of John by reading one chapter a day for 21 days. After the program ended, our son asked me whether I wanted to take the challenge with him. And I said, yes.

While reading the book of John, we observed that Jesus made seven I am declarations-I am the bread of life; I am the light of the world; l am the door; I am the good shepherd; I am the resurrection and the life; I am the way, and the truth, and the life; and I am the true vine.

Here are the specific verses:

  1. I am the bread of life (John 6:35, 48, 51). Note. Jesus does not say that he is one of many breads of life. Jesus says that he is the bread of life.
  2. I am the light of the world (John 8:12; 9:5). Again, Jesus does not say he is simply one of many lights of the word. He says that he is the light of the world.
  3. I am the door (John 10:7, 9). God’s Word does not provide alternative doors to enter heaven. Jesus says that if we want to enter heaven, we need to enter by the one and only door—Jesus.
  4. I am the good shepherd (John 10:11, 14).
  5. I am the resurrection and the life (John 11:25).
  6. I am the way, the truth, and the life; no one comes to the Father but by me (John 14:6). Even though there may be many ways to come to Jesus, there is only one way to come to God the Father, and that is through Jesus. As God’s Word says, “There is salvation in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given among men by which we must be saved” (Acts 4:12).
  7. I am the vine (John 15:1, 5).

My Challenge to You

The book of John has twenty-one chapters. Find a family member or friend who will read each of the chapters with you.

And if you would like a “study guide”, both of you can answer the following two questions for each chapter:

  1. What are two points that are significant for you?
  2. What is the one point that would have the greatest impact on your life if tomorrow you…?