The Great I AM

Besides proclaiming His role as the Savior of the world and proving it through sacrificial death and resurrection, Jesus referred to Himself as the great "I AM." As we will see, these I AM statements are found in several books of the bible, especially the Gospel of John, and serve to remind us that Jesus, the Lord our God, meets our needs in many different ways.

• God said to Moses, "I AM who I AM. This is what you are to say to the Israelites: 'I AM has sent me to you.'" (Exodus 3:14)
• "This is what the Lord says—Israel's King and Redeemer, the Lord Almighty; I AM the first and I AM the last; apart from me there is no God." (Isaiah 44:6)
• "I AM the bread of life. He who comes to me will never go hungry, and he who believes in me will never be thirsty." (John 6:35)
• "I AM the light of the world. Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness, but will have the light of life." (John 8:12)
• "I tell you the truth," Jesus answered, "before Abraham was, I AM!" (John 8:58)
• "I AM the gate; whoever enters through me will be saved. He will come in and go out, and find pasture." (John 10:9)
• "I AM the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep." (John 10:11)
• "I AM the resurrection and the life. He who believes in me will live, even though he dies." (John 11:25)
• "I AM the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me." (John 14:6)
• "I AM the Alpha and the Omega," says the Lord God, "who is, and who was, and who is to come, the Almighty." (Revelation 1:8)

Times are difficult. Our society faces many different challenges—wars, economic hardship, moral decay, attacks on the family, disease, and overall feelings of helplessness and chaos. In these trying times, we especially need to remember that Jesus, the Lord our God, is our "Great I AM." Whatever our needs are, He can provide.