F.E. Marsh :: 197. "I Am"

WHEN Moses wishes to know the name of the person who has sent him, that he may tell the children of Israel, he is told to say, “I Am hath sent me unto you” (Ex. 3:14). When we have the “I Am” as our Commissioner, we have all He is, all He has, and all He can do at our back. It seems as if the Lord said, “Whatever you need, I, the great I Am, will supply it.” The Jesus of the New Testament is the Jehovah of the Old Testament. Therefore the “I Am’s” of the Gospel of John will illustrate this point. No less than eight times does Christ use the very words we have in relation to Himself.

Christ’s word to the woman of Samaria. “I that speak unto thee Am” (John 4:26). (The He is in italics in Revised Version, and should be left out).

Christ’s word to the Jews. “Except ye believe that I Am (margin) ye shall die in your sins” (John 8:24, R.V.) “Ye shall know that I Am” (John 8:28, R.V., M.) “Before Abraham was I Am” (John 8:58).

Christ’s word to the disciples respecting His betrayal. “I tell you before it come to pass, that ye may believe that I Am” (John 13:19, R.V., M.)

Christ’s word to Judas and the soldiers in response to their admission that they were seeking Him. “Jesus saith unto them, I Am.” No wonder they went back and tell to the ground when He said, “I Am.” Again, Christ asks them as to the One they are seeking, and in reply, “Jesus answered, I told you I Am” (John 18:5-6, 8, R.V.) Leave out the “He” in each of the above verses. As in the former case, it is given in italics in R.V., and should be omitted. Thus the Great I Am is discovered in the lowly Jesus. What force and fulness this gives to Christ’s titles!

Are we hungry? He says, “I Am the Bread of Life” (John 6:35, 41, 48, 51).

Are we dark? He says, “I Am the Light of the world” (John 8:12).

Do we need an open way to God? He says, “I Am the Way” (John 14:6).

Do we want an entrance into blessing? He says, “I Am the Door” (John 10:7, 9).

Do we need a substitute? He says, “I Am the Good Shepherd, who giveth His life for the sheep” (John 10:11, 14).

Do we need life? Christ says, “I Am the Life” (John 14:6).

Do we need truth? Christ says, “I am the Truth” (John 14:6).

Do we need fruitfulness? He says, “I Am the True Vine” (John 15:1, 5).

Is it a question of raising our loved ones? He says, “I Am the Resurrection” (John 11:25).