When I was young, I believed a certain way. As I matured, I realized areas of my life that needed a change and I changed. Today, I change areas of my life because each day is filled with new experiences and learning opportunities. All of us constantly change the way we do things, think, and act. Mankind’s motto: "the only thing constant is change." The name "I Am" means ’constant and unchanging’ and no human fits this description!
When Jesus made His claim to be the great "I Am", the people were stunned! Jesus said that He existed before Abraham! This was considered blasphemy by the people! They knew Abraham was known as the father of God’s people. They knew God had instructed Moses to tell anyone who asked that He who is called "I Am" had sent him. Now, here was Jesus claiming his existence prior to Abraham and referring to Himself as "I Am". This statement could be argued as the most authoritative statement by Jesus during His earthly ministry. The people were so distressed they intended to stone Him!
John presents that in the beginning, Jesus was with God and He was God. He created everything there is and without Him nothing would exist. This was a totally radical concept the Jewish people could not comprehend. Jesus came to earth and hence was fully man but yet retained His deity and was fully God. This fact was not accepted by the Jewish leaders and ultimately led to Jesus’ death. If we cannot accept Jesus is God, it is not possible to have faith and trust our lives to Him. Jesus’ resurrection proved that even though fully man, He was fully God with power over death. The resurrection is the Christian cornerstone. No resurrection; no Christian faith.
The statement Jesus was the "I Am" forms the precepts of His teachings! He forgave sins. The Pharisees exclaimed only God could forgive sin. Jesus said, "Which is harder? To say your ’sins are forgiven’ or to say ’rise and walk’"? Then He turned to the sick man and said ’stand up, take your mat and go home because you are healed’! This infuriated the religious leaders! The people were astonished at what they saw happen right in front of them however this did not convince them Jesus was God. As the "I Am", Jesus was telling the people that He had the power to forgive their sins so that they would be saved. The "I Am the One" is the way, the truth, and the life. Jesus said no one could come to the Father but through Him. He drew the line in the sand!
When we come to the point where we acknowledge Jesus is God, we begin to change. Change is the true sign of a person who accepts Christ. A Christian turns from old ways and begins the journey of becoming more like Jesus. It is easy to say you are a Christian but people really believe when observing your changed actions. Many prisoners ’find’ God during their time in prison and become children of God. Statistics show that men and women who accept Christ in prison are not as likely to be arrested again as a person who is released and does not have Jesus in their life. Their lives are changed!
There is power in the name of Jesus. Just His name gives comfort and provides peace of mind. Jesus preached to the people if they want to be His followers, they should take up their cross and follow Him. The people who became Christians after Jesus had ascended to Heaven often carried their cross to the place where they were crucified. To us, taking up our cross means to adhere to the teachings of Jesus even if our Christian faith leads to persecution. Thankfully crucifixions no longer occur but throughout the world today Christians are persecuted. In some countries, Christians are physically harmed. In other countries, Christians are ridiculed and penalized for their belief.
In today’s world, it is easy to become depressed and apathetic. But for Christians, we have faith that Jesus, being fully God, will provide us with peace and understanding that any issues we face here on earth are temporary. When Jesus comes again, all His people will be taken out of this world and enter the Kingdom of Heaven and spend eternity with Jesus.
Jesus said for us to lay our burdens at His feet and He will give us rest. Your burden could be a past sin that haunts you, a physical persecution, a mental persecution, or trying to comply with excessive ’rules and regulations’ of your current religion. You may simply be weary from seeking to find the peace that Jesus will bring. Trust in Jesus the "I Am". He is the One who saves and sustains us. He is the One who died in our place willingly so that we can be made righteous through our belief in Him. I Am is truly the One.
Papa Joe Mac's Commentary:
When I was young, I believed a certain way. As I matured, I realized areas of my life that needed a change and I changed. Today, I change areas of my life because each day is filled with new experiences and learning opportunities. All of us constantly change the way we do things, think, and act. Mankind’s motto: "the only thing constant is change." The name "I Am" means ’constant and unchanging’ and no human fits this description!
When Jesus made His claim to be the great "I Am", the people were stunned! Jesus said that He existed before Abraham! This was considered blasphemy by the people! They knew Abraham was known as the father of God’s people. They knew God had instructed Moses to tell anyone who asked that He who is called "I Am" had sent him. Now, here was Jesus claiming his existence prior to Abraham and referring to Himself as "I Am". This statement could be argued as the most authoritative statement by Jesus during His earthly ministry. The people were so distressed they intended to stone Him!
John presents that in the beginning, Jesus was with God and He was God. He created everything there is and without Him nothing would exist. This was a totally radical concept the Jewish people could not comprehend. Jesus came to earth and hence was fully man but yet retained His deity and was fully God. This fact was not accepted by the Jewish leaders and ultimately led to Jesus’ death. If we cannot accept Jesus is God, it is not possible to have faith and trust our lives to Him. Jesus’ resurrection proved that even though fully man, He was fully God with power over death. The resurrection is the Christian cornerstone. No resurrection; no Christian faith.
The statement Jesus was the "I Am" forms the precepts of His teachings! He forgave sins. The Pharisees exclaimed only God could forgive sin. Jesus said, "Which is harder? To say your ’sins are forgiven’ or to say ’rise and walk’"? Then He turned to the sick man and said ’stand up, take your mat and go home because you are healed’! This infuriated the religious leaders! The people were astonished at what they saw happen right in front of them however this did not convince them Jesus was God. As the "I Am", Jesus was telling the people that He had the power to forgive their sins so that they would be saved. The "I Am the One" is the way, the truth, and the life. Jesus said no one could come to the Father but through Him. He drew the line in the sand!
When we come to the point where we acknowledge Jesus is God, we begin to change. Change is the true sign of a person who accepts Christ. A Christian turns from old ways and begins the journey of becoming more like Jesus. It is easy to say you are a Christian but people really believe when observing your changed actions. Many prisoners ’find’ God during their time in prison and become children of God. Statistics show that men and women who accept Christ in prison are not as likely to be arrested again as a person who is released and does not have Jesus in their life. Their lives are changed!
There is power in the name of Jesus. Just His name gives comfort and provides peace of mind. Jesus preached to the people if they want to be His followers, they should take up their cross and follow Him. The people who became Christians after Jesus had ascended to Heaven often carried their cross to the place where they were crucified. To us, taking up our cross means to adhere to the teachings of Jesus even if our Christian faith leads to persecution. Thankfully crucifixions no longer occur but throughout the world today Christians are persecuted. In some countries, Christians are physically harmed. In other countries, Christians are ridiculed and penalized for their belief.
In today’s world, it is easy to become depressed and apathetic. But for Christians, we have faith that Jesus, being fully God, will provide us with peace and understanding that any issues we face here on earth are temporary. When Jesus comes again, all His people will be taken out of this world and enter the Kingdom of Heaven and spend eternity with Jesus.
Jesus said for us to lay our burdens at His feet and He will give us rest. Your burden could be a past sin that haunts you, a physical persecution, a mental persecution, or trying to comply with excessive ’rules and regulations’ of your current religion. You may simply be weary from seeking to find the peace that Jesus will bring. Trust in Jesus the "I Am". He is the One who saves and sustains us. He is the One who died in our place willingly so that we can be made righteous through our belief in Him. I Am is truly the One.