Names of Jesus Series: Episode 10 Jesus the I AM

Hello, my walking friend! I’m thanking Jesus for you and for your desire to walk with him! Have you started walking? I hope so! I hope your heart is pumping and your mind is ready to meditate on Jesus!

Today is the 10^th episode in the names of Jesus series. Of all the names of Jesus, this one may be one of the hardest for us to comprehend because it speaks to the triune nature of God. Today we are reflecting on Jesus, the I AM.

Our verse to meditate on today is: John 8:58 NIV

“Very truly I tell you,” Jesus answered,  “before Abraham was born, I am!”

Jesus had many “I am” statements in the gospel of John. He said:

I am the bread of life.

I am the light of the world.

I am the gate for the sheep.

I am the good shepherd.

I am the resurrection and the life.

I am the way and the truth and the life.

I am the true vine, and my Father is the gardner.

But it was his statement in John 8:58 that led to his crucifixion. He said, “Before Abraham was born, I AM.” Jesus was clearly telling the Jewish people he was talking to that he was the same I AM that spoke to Moses. He was claiming his diety and for this they wanted to immediately stone him. 

Even though the word trinity or triune is not found in the Bible, the origin for our Christian understanding of God’s triune nature is absolutely found in scripture. 

God is one essence but three Persons, one nature, but three centers of consciousness. It is an incomprehensible and awesome mystery. And our ability, or inability, to understand the mystery isn’t what makes it true or not. It is true because Jesus said so. 

So let’s take a little time now to mediate on John 8:58:

“Very truly I tell you,” Jesus answered, “before Abraham was born, I am!”

Did Jesus reveal anything special to you as you meditated on the verse? 

Here’s what Jesus revealed to me as I studied and meditated on this verse:

Jesus referring to himself as I AM has created much controversy – when he walked the earth and even today. It is hard for us to understand the mystery of his nature. But how can we really? Scripture tells us that,

“As the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts.”

Jesus wants us to simply sit comfortably in that mystery, understanding that he is the I AM and we are not. When we do, we can find peace. To know, love, and accept Jesus is to believe him and his words. He will never contradict himself. If he said he is I AM, then he is. Believe it, even if you don’t fully understand it. He also said that he is the way, the truth, and the life and he said that if you have seen him, you have seen the father. Let’s open our hearts to the mysteries of God, rather than close up and walk away when we don’t understand. And let’s pray for those who’s hearts have hardened because they refuse to believe what they don’t understand.

Now let’s take some time to meditate again on Jesus, the I AM, and what that means to us. 

You are now at the halfway point of your walk. If you need to be back in 10 minutes, this would be the time to turn around and head back.

Now I am going to pray for us:

Dear Jesus,

Even when I feel as though I know you so well, I realize that, in many ways, you are still such a mystery. I understand the limitations of my human mind to understand an infinite, all-knowing, all-powerful creator. Help me continue to grow in my understanding of who you are and what you want to do with my life. Help me have peace when I don’t understand what you have said to me, trusting in your goodness. You will always be God, and I will always be your created being, but I look forward to the day when I will have a greater understanding of you and your ways. Until then, Jesus, I will continue to seek you. There is nowhere else to go, nowhere else I would want to go. I pray today for those who have rejected you because they don’t understand and I pray they will seek you again and find the truth. Jesus, I am beyond humbled that you, I AM, would call me friend and walk with me. Amen.

Here are some questions for you to consider:

Are there any parts of God’s word that you find especially mysterious and hard to understand? Think about that now.

Are you okay with sitting in the mystery now, knowing that one day you will know all you need to know? Meditate on what that day will be like.

How does it make you feel to know that Jesus, who referred to himself as I AM, is with you when you walk and always? Take some time to consider your response.

Before we wrap up, listen to today’s verse one last time: John 8:58

“Very truly I tell you,” Jesus answered,  “before Abraham was born, I am!”

Is there anything else you would like to talk to Jesus about? Remember, he is right there with you, walking with you, and he is eager for you to share all that is on your heart and mind with him. Take some time to talk to Jesus now.

Well, you did it! 10 minutes of walking and 10 minutes of walking with Jesus, the I AM! Way to go! Thank you for taking the time to walk with me, my friend. I know Jesus will bless you above and beyond what you can imagine for spending this time with him. For more Walk with Jesus resources, including the Walk with Jesus 21 day scripture, devotional, and guided prayer journal book for walkers, go to WalkwithJesusDevotional.com. The October edition focuses on the names of Jesus and is a part of this series. You will find the URL for this book and other resources in the podcast show notes. 

 I hope we can walk together again tomorrow, friend. In our next episode we will consider another name of Jesus – Jesus the Friend of Sinners . Until then, God bless you as you walk with Jesus.