Jesus said,“I AM”

John 8:24 ESV I told you that you would die in your sins, for unless you believe that I am he you will die in your sins."

John 8:28 ESV So Jesus said to them, "When you have lifted up the Son of Man, then you will know that I am he,

and that I do nothing on my own authority, but speak just as the Father

taught me.

John 8:58 ESV Jesus said to them, "Truly, truly, I say to you, before

Abraham was, I am."

John 13:19 ESV I am telling you this now, before it takes place, that when it does take place you may believe that I

am he.

Jesus said in the Gospel of John: “I am!” and it was a sudden impact

moment between men and God. Jesus let the world know that He was “God in the flesh.” He was the same God “I am”

that met with Moses in the burning bush, it caused quit the stir!

“I am” and Yahweh come from the same root word but have different tense

references “I am” is 1st person “Yahweh” 3rd Person.

Pronunciation of Yahweh

The covenant name for the God of Israel in the Old Testament is Yahweh. This

name was so sacred that by the second century BC the Jews refused to

pronounce it. Orthodox Jews will not pronounce this sacred name even

today. When the ancient Jewish Scholar came across the name Yahweh he

would pronounce it “Adonai” which means my Lord.

The Hebrew at that time had no vowels. The system of vowel points had not

been invented, and therefore Yahweh was written YHVH, which is called the Tetragrammaton (The four letter word).

No one really knows how it was pronounced.

When the Masoretic scholars added to the consonantal word YHVH the vowels from the word Adonai, the name turned out to be YaHoVah.” However, this is a hybrid word. Therefore, Jehovah has

been dropped from many modern translations in favor of “Yahweh.”

The word “I am” found in the Gospel of John is a pivotal statement made by

Jesus. The name “I am” is Jesus’ claim to deity and it is similar to Jehovah (Yahweh) except that the form is not

third person future tense but is the first person (elyeh) which denotes that

Jesus is the same God who spoke to Moses from the Burning Bush.

To better understand this pivotal statement by Christ let’s explore the

meaning of “I am” from the first instance of God calling himself “I am” Exodus 3:14. The scenario, Moses and

the Burning Bush

Exodus 3:13 ESV Then Moses said to God, "If I come to the people of Israel

and say to them, 'The God of your fathers has sent me to you,' and they

ask me, 'What is his name?' what shall I say to them?" 14 God said to Moses, "I AM WHO I AM." And he said, "Say this to the people of Israel, 'I AM has sent

me to you.'"

The intent of God’s statement to Moses

“I am” is the name given by God to Moses when Moses asked for

credentials that would convince the children of Israel that God had indeed

authorized him to lead them out of Egypt. The disclosure of the name is

given from the burning bush which was not consumed.

This scenario paints a picture of something that is eternal by its burning and constant in that it never will burn

out because it does not burn up its energy source. The response of God to

Moses about knowing the Patriarchs and also seeing the suffering of His

people reveals God’s Omnipresence, Omnipotence (etc.)

Thus the name “I am,” or “I AM WHO I AM,” designates He was in the past and the “I am” first person reveals He’s with

them presently and He will be in the future with them as well.

God’s identification with His people is forever, for He has willed to be known

as the God who is the God of Abraham, of Isaac, and Jacob.

Exodus 3:15 ESV God also said to Moses, "Say this to the people of Israel, 'The LORD, the God of your fathers, the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob, has sent me to you.' This is my name forever, and thus I am

to be remembered throughout all generations.

The main point is Moses’ credentials and the sign of who is sending Him. The

reason for sending Moses is deliverance of the children of Israel. He

is the one – “I AM” – who will with power and action deliver them from Egypt, and will in the future deliver

them from sin’s bondage.

God’s name “I am” then is very significant in that: “Past with Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. What was needed was

not a name which disclosed that God was what He was, but that He is and will be in the future what He admittedly was

in the past:

The God of their fathers and, therefore, the God of their children, the children of

Israel, who therefore should accept Moses’ claim that God had called him to

deliver them out of Egypt.”

Tenney noted: The most distinctive name by which God was known in Israel is Yahweh (Jehovah), which comes from

the same root as “I am.” But this third person instead of the first person,

future, and whose meaning throughout the OT is that God has made a covenant with the children of Israel to which God will ever remain faithful and will never

break.

It is within this content of the meaning of “Yahweh” --- a name that appears

repeatedly in Exodus 3 that the “I am” is given to Moses as a credential that will-and did-convince the children of Israel that God willed through Moses to lead

the children of Israel out of Egypt into a better future.” (Tenney, page 238)

God first called Himself “I Am” to Moses and then Jesus did it in the New

Testament and it stirred up the Jews and even His own followers.

The appearance of “I am” in the New Testament in the Gospel of John is

revealing. John’s Gospel has the most extensive series of “I am” claims of the

New Testament.

The theological themes in John begin with the revelation that Jesus is the

revealing Word (logos) of God. Note the comparison of John’s Gospel with

establishing the fact that Christ always was. In John 1:1, 2 and in Exodus 3 God

says, “He always was!”John’s Gospel Christological in content emphasizes His deity and His humanity.

John uses Jesus’ statements of “I am” to emphasize and prove that Jesus was

the Christ, the Messiah. The “I am” claims are solemn emphatic statements

using first person terminology. Each one of Christ’s emphatic statements

brings home an important aspect of the person and the ministry of Jesus.

http://www.sermoncentral.com/print_friendly.asp?SermonID=145054

John 8:21 ESV So he said to them again, "I am going away, and you will seek me, and you will die in your sin. Where I am going, you cannot come."

22 So the Jews said, "Will he kill himself, since he says, 'Where I am

going, you cannot come'?" 23 He said to them, "You are from below; I am from above. You are of this world; I am not of

this world.

24 I told you that you would die in your sins, for unless you believe that I am he

you will die in your sins." 25 So they said to him, "Who are you?" Jesus said to them, "Just what I have been telling

you from the beginning. 26 I have much to say about you and much to judge,

but he who sent me is true, and I declare to the world what I have heard

from him."

27 They did not understand that he had been speaking to them about the Father.

28 So Jesus said to them, "When you have lifted up the Son of Man, then you

will know that I am he, and that I do nothing on my own authority, but speak

just as the Father taught me.

29 And he who sent me is with me. He has not left me alone, for I always do

the things that are pleasing to him." 30 As he was saying these things, many

believed in him.

I am going away . . . Where I am going, you cannot come: Jesus knew He was

going to heaven. Because of their hatred against Him, Jesus could say that His accusers were not going to heaven. Where He was going, they

could not follow. If we follow Jesus on earth, we will follow Him to heaven. If we express no desire to follow Him on

earth, what would make us think we will follow Him to heaven?

unless you believe that I am he you will die in your sins: Romans 3:23 ESV for

all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, 24 and are justified by his grace as a gift, through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus, 25 whom God put forward as a propitiation by his

blood, to be received by faith. This was to show God's righteousness, because in his divine forbearance he had passed

over former sins.

If we hold on to our sin, and do not deal with it, we will die in our sins.

Since all sin must be dealt with, those who die in their sins will have to pay for their sins in hell. But if we have our sins dealt with now, on this side of death, by

trusting in who Jesus is and what He did to save us, we can avoid dying in

our sins.

unless you believe that I am he you will die in your sins: Jesus called them to

believe that I am. In this context there is an implied predicate nominative ("he")

following the "I am" phrase. What Jesus' hearers had to acknowledge is that he was who he claimed to be, i.e.,

the Messiah. (NETnotes)

The title "I am" is a claim to deity, and if the Pharisees will be saved from dying in their sins, they must believe in Jesus and in who He really is - God the Son.

"This expression is in the style of deity . . . The same Greek expression occurs in 6:20, 18:6, neither of which is difficult to

understand." (Morris)

John 20:30 ESV Now Jesus did many other signs in the presence of the

disciples, which are not written in this book; 31 but these are written so that

you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, and that by

believing you may have life in his name.

Who are You? This question of the Pharisees comes from a combination of willful confusion and contempt. Though Jesus has told them over and over who

He is, they will continue to ask until they get an answer they can use to

condemn Him.

I declare to the world what I have heard from him: Jesus emphasizes the point again, that His words are from God the Father. So, if the Pharisees have a hard time with Jesus, they really have a hard

time with God the Father.

When you have lifted up the Son of Man: The " lifted up " Jesus describes

has nothing to do with "exalting" Jesus in any way; it has to do with "lifting up" Jesus off the ground on a cross. When

Jesus is crucified, they will see the perfect obedience of the Son to the

Father.

He (The Father) has not left me alone: The unity between the Father and the Son continues, and will continue. Despite

the accusations of the Pharisees, Jesus is as close to His Father as ever.

I always do the things that are pleasing to him: Jesus is bold enough to say

these words to His adversaries - essentially challenging His enemies to

find something He does that is not pleasing to God the Father. And His

enemies are silent! This is a remarkable testimony to the sinlessness of Jesus.

I always do the things that are pleasing to him: It is easy to say, "I always do the

will of the Father" when you are only debating theological points. It is

another thing entirely to "always do the will of the Father" when it means going to the cross. The cross will prove the

obedience of Jesus.

As he was saying these things, many believed in him: Jesus' message of His

unity with the Father was so well received by some because His life was consistent with the message. Unlike the

Pharisees, one could see that Jesus was close to God. The Pharisees

cultivated an image of intimacy with God, but it was evident they were not.

(Guzik)

John 8:47 ESV Whoever is of God hears the words of God. The reason why you do not hear them is that you are not of God." 48 The Jews answered him, "Are

we not right in saying that you are a Samaritan and have a demon?" 49 Jesus answered, "I do not have a

demon, but I honor my Father, and you dishonor me.

50 Yet I do not seek my own glory; there is One who seeks it, and he is the judge.

51 Truly, truly, I say to you, if anyone keeps my word, he will never see

death." 52 The Jews said to him, "Now we know that you have a demon!

Abraham died, as did the prophets, yet you say, 'If anyone keeps my word, he

will never taste death.'

53 Are you greater than our father Abraham, who died? And the prophets died! Who do you make yourself out to

be?" 54 Jesus answered, "If I glorify myself, my glory is nothing. It is my

Father who glorifies me, of whom you say, 'He is our God.' 55 But you have

not known him. I know him. If I were to say that I do not know him, I would be a

liar like you, but I do know him and I keep his word.

56 Your father Abraham rejoiced that he would see my day. He saw it and was

glad." 57 So the Jews said to him, "You are not yet fifty years old, and have you seen Abraham?" 58 Jesus said to them,

"Truly, truly, I say to you, before Abraham was, I am." 59 So they picked

up stones to throw at him, but Jesus hid himself and went out of the temple.

The reason why you do not hear them is that you are not of God: Jesus presses home the point of spiritual parentage,

which is evident by the way that people act, and will determine people's destiny.

if anyone keeps my word, he will never see death: This is another remarkable

claim that only makes sense if Jesus is God, and is one with God the Father. Jesus promises eternal life to those

who keep His word.

Now we know that You have a demon! Abraham died: This claim delights the

Pharisees opposing Jesus; they believe they finally have Him! How can Jesus

promise such life - will never taste death - when Abraham himself could

never make such a promise! Does Jesus claim to be greater than Abraham was? Who do You make Yourself out to

be?

It is my Father who glorifies me: Jesus does claim to be greater than Abraham -

but it is not an honor He takes to Himself. Yet they do not recognize this honor, because they have not known

Him.

Your father Abraham rejoiced that he would see my day. He saw it and was glad: Not only is Jesus greater than

Abraham, but Abraham himself acknowledged this! Jesus declaration

of this brings back the accusation "How could you know Abraham rejoiced in

You? Were You there?" To which Jesus replies, "Yes!"

Before Abraham was, I Am:

I Am: The ancient Greek phrase is ego emi, (eg-o' i-mee’) which is the same term used in the Greek translation of the Old Testament in Jesus' day to describe the

Voice from the burning bush.

In using the phrase I Am (John 8:24, 58, 13:19) Jesus used a clear divine title

belonging to Yahweh alone (Exo 3:13-14, Deu 32:39, Isa 43:10) and was interpreted as

such by Jesus' listeners. (John 8:58-59)"The phrase harbours within itself the most authentic, the most audacious, and the most profound affirmation by

Jesus of who He was." (Stauffer)

The best proof of what Jesus meant by claiming to be the I Am is found by

seeing the response of His listeners: So they picked up stones to throw at him.

They wanted to stone Him for blasphemy, for claiming to be God.

(Guzik)

John 13:18 ESV I am not speaking of all of you; I know whom I have chosen. But

the Scripture will be fulfilled, 'He who ate my bread has lifted his heel against me.' 19 I am telling you this now, before

it takes place, that when it does take place you may believe that I am he.

Jesus is quoting from a Psalm where David prophecies,

Even my close friend in whom I trusted, who ate my bread, has lifted his heel

against me.Psalms 41:9 ESV

He is also showing He will fulfill one of the earliest prophecies.

Genesis 3:15 ESV I will put enmity between you and the woman, and between your offspring and her

offspring; he shall bruise your head, and you shall bruise his heel."

Why is He pointing to these prophecies? Because when they see

them fulfilled, they will know that He is God, the long awaited Messiah.

From the Scriptures we can clearly see who Jesus is & confess like Martha.

John 11:27 ESV She said to him, "Yes, Lord; I believe that you are the Christ,

the Son of God, who is coming into the world."

We can believe Jesus words, “I and the Father are one.”

John 10:30 ESVOur salvation depends on Jesus being the Christ, the Son of God. This being true, He offered the sacrifice that takes away our sins so we do not die in them.