"I Am" statements

Recently I have been studying the I Am statements of Jesus. I started studying them during summer of this year while at pine cove towers. As a counselor we were going to be focusing on five of the I am statements Jesus made that are found in the book of John. These statements served as great ways to explain to the children who Jesus says he is. However, I was changed by these statements as much if not more than the kids I was teaching them too were. These statements were daily reminders that Jesus is the provider in my life , the way in my life, the protector in my life and so much more. I often look to myself and others around me to fill holes in my life however, Jesus states in scripture that he is what always fills these holes.

"I am the bread of life. Whoever comes to me will never be hungry again. Whoever believes in me will never be thirsty." John 6:35.

This statement coms to us after Jesus had fed the five thousands. The people who were there followed Jesus to Capernaum saying they wanted to follow him however, Jesus called them out saying they only followed him because he fed them. Jesus declares to them that God is offering them the true bread of Heaven and the people do not see that Jesus means himself. Jesus is offering the people a bread that will always satisfy that will never go away and leave them feeling empty. We are back to the hole I was talking about earlier. I often feel that I am empty. Why? because I often look to the world to fill holes that only Jesus can fill and that Jesus wants to fill. When I feed myself my daily bread of Jesus through prayer, through reading Gods word, through serving him, I am filled with joy,peace, rest, success, and all of the emotions I long to constantly have. The people in John 6 missed it and I often miss it too. Through studying this verse I realize where I missed out and where I will be when I remember that the only bread I need is found in Christ himself.

"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. What does it mean to walk in darkness? If Jesus is the light of the world and you do not have him and are not looking to him constantly then you have to be in darkness. If you are not walking with christ what are you walking in? The flesh. I think this is so important to realize. I always ask myself in times when I am going down a "dark" path why its happening? Why am I falling into temptation? Why am I sinning so much? well there is only one answer I am not walking in the light of Christ. It is easier said than done to look past the flesh and to surrender all to walk in Christ who is the light. However, this is such a beautiful thing to do when you decide to walk in Christ you are promised the light of the world. For me this truth fills the hole in my life where I think I will never be able to get out of the "darkness" of this fallen world by reminding me Christ is the light and will make this world light again. In Isaiah 60:19-20, we are told that one day there will be no need for the sun or the moon that Jesus will be our everlasting light.

"I am the good shepherd the good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep." John 10:11. This statement that Jesus made about himself brings me to awe. To understand the verse you have to understand the meaning of a shepherd. A shepherd takes care of sheep he is there to provide protection, to guide them, and to be their life line. Sheep are animals that find complete dependence with the shepherd. They can not protect themselves, groom themselves, or lead themselves. Jesus states here that he is the good shepherd, so what does that make us? We are the sheep. The ones who can not take care of themselves in anyway. I have seen this verse come to life many times when I believe that I can do something but end up failing. Why did I fail? because for one second I believed that on my own I could do anything. We are told in Matthew 19:26 that "all things are possible with God" and right before that we are told "with man this is impossible." This is yet another reminder that I am a sheep. I can not do anything on my own because I don't have to capability too. However, God does and Jesus says that he is the good shepherd who is willing to comfort, guide, protect, strengthen, feed, and care for us. Once again here is another hole in my life. I try to take care of the things I need that only Jesus can provide for me. This ends up leaving my hole even more deeper than if I remember I can do nothing and God can do all which fills my hole.

"I am the way the truth and the life. No one comes to the father except through me" John 14:6. This statement is very straight forward but so often missed. Lets break it down.

Jesus is the way... to the father. So many believe today that by being kind and by following the commandments that they know the father and are saved. However, to know the father is to know Jesus. If you know Jesus you know that your works do not establish your relationship. Jesus gives his love freely to all who accept him and want to have a personal relationship with him. Through this then you can follow the commandments not out of proving yourself to be good and saved but out of love for Christ and the father. When I say to know the father is to know Jesus I am referring to the fact that Christ is God in physical form on Earth. Since we know that God and Jesus and the Holy spirt make up the trinity.

Jesus is the Truth. So many times in this fallen world we are told lie after lie by satan. However, Jesus never lies to us its not his character. All that he has stated and that is stated about him is the truth and you can count on it.

Jesus is the life, through christ you find what it means to live. To live in christ is to serve him by caring for others and loving them to the fullest. It means to be in absolute surrender to him carrying your cross daily in obedience to him.

The last part of this verse is so important to grasp " no one comes to the father except through me" Once again to know the father and come to him you need Jesus. This is a big reason Jesus had to die on the cross for us so that we could come to the father with prayer requests freely. Jesus bridged this gap so we can come to the father don't forget this amazing truth.

"I am the vine you are the branches. those who remain in me and I in them will produce much fruit; for apart from me you can do nothing." John 15:5. Out of theses five verses I think this one speaks to me the most. Recently I have been reading the book Absolute Surrender (give it a look). This verse is a big concept in this book. Through this verse and the words in Absolute surrender I am reminded that Jesus is the vine which is what provides all of the nutrients to the branches. The branches have to do nothing but accept the nutrients from the vine who travels far and works hard to provide for the branches. I am nothing and do nothing except accept what christ has done for me on the cross to provide life in me. Do you ever question why you are not producing fruit in your life, because I do. Its another one of those holes in my life. I wonder why I am not helping bring people to christ as much as I wish I was. The answer is I am not remaining in christ fully. I often don't let christ speak through me but let my voice be heard to often or I am not obedient to when he is calling me to talk to someone about him or tell of his glory. This backs up the next part of the verse "for apart from me you can do nothing" which is very true. If I did these things the holy spirit was asking me to do I wonder how much more fruit I would have produced for the kingdom by now. Don't neglect the holy spirit as I often do, listen to him and obey so that you can produce much fruit.

Thank you Lord for these five verses that show me the character of Jesus. I was left with empty holes in my life until these verses reminded me that only christ can fill these holes. HE IS SO GOOD.