I recently noticed that, except for the claim to be God, Jesus followed each of his I-AM statements with a promise. What wonderful promises they are for his children! Promises of hope, care, life, victory, friendship, redemption, and bearing fruit.
“Verily, verily, I say unto you, Before Abraham was, I am. – Jn. 8:58 (Claim to God)
1. “I am the bread of life: he that cometh to me shall never hunger; and he that believeth on me shall never thirst. – Jn. 6:35 (Promise to provide spiritual food)
2. “I am the light of the world: he that followeth me shall not walk in darkness, but shall have the light of life. – Jn. 8:12 (Promise to overcome and walk in victory)
3. “I am the door [of the sheepfold]: by me if any man enter in, he shall be saved, and shall go in and out, and find pasture.” – Jn. 10:9 (Promise of salvation, and care for all of life)
4. “I am the good shepherd, and know my sheep, and am known of mine. – Jn. 10:14 (Promise that he can be known and makes himself known)
5. “I am the resurrection, and the life: he that believeth in me, though he were dead, yet shall he live. – Jn. 11:25 (Promise of eternal life and bodily resurrection)
6. “I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me.” – Jn. 14:6 (Promise that there is no other means to know God)
7. “I am the vine, ye are the branches: He that abideth in me, and I in him, the same bringeth forth much fruit” – Jn. 15:5 (Promise to bear fruit)
