I AM THAT I AM

Introduction: The Divine Name in Exodus

The phrase “I AM THAT I AM” (Hebrew: Ehyeh Asher Ehyeh) appears in Exodus 3:13-14, where God reveals His name to Moses at the burning bush.

This declaration is more than a simple identifier; it is a profound statement of God’s self-existence, eternal presence, and unchanging nature.

By saying “I AM,” God asserts that He is the ultimate reality—self-sufficient, sovereign, and not contingent on anything outside Himself.

This name, later rendered as Yahweh, became central to Israel’s understanding of God’s character and His covenant relationship with His people.

This post examines the “I AM” statements made by Jesus Christ and their reference to the identification of the true, eternal and everlasting God and their prophetic fulfilment in the deity of Christ.

Jesus’ Use of “I AM” in the Gospel of John

Centuries after Moses, the Gospel of John records Jesus making seven metaphorical “I AM” statements. These are not casual expressions; they are deliberate echoes of the divine name revealed in Exodus. By using “I AM,” Jesus identifies Himself with the God of Israel, making a bold claim to divinity and eternal existence. His audience, familiar with the Old Testament, would have recognized the gravity of these words, which is why such statements often provoked strong reactions.

The Seven “I AM” Statements

The seven “I AM” statements in John’s Gospel are:

(1) “I am the bread of life” (John 6:35),

(2) “I am the light of the world” (John 8:12),

(3) “I am the door of the sheep” (John 10:7),

(4) “I am the good shepherd” (John 10:11),

(5) “I am the resurrection and the life” (John 11:25),

(6) “I am the way, the truth, and the life” (John 14:6), and

(7) “I am the true vine” (John 15:1).

Each statement reveals a unique aspect of Jesus’ identity and mission, using familiar imagery to communicate spiritual truths about His relationship to humanity.

Jesus’ Claim of Divinity

The connection between Jesus’ “I AM” statements and Exodus 3:14 is very significant. In John 8:58, Jesus says, “Before Abraham was, I am,” directly invoking the divine name. This was understood by His contemporaries as a claim to deity, which is why they attempted to stone Him for blasphemy. By appropriating the “I AM” formula, Jesus was not only identifying Himself with Yahweh but also asserting His eternal, uncreated nature and His authority to fulfill God’s redemptive purposes.

​Fulfillment of Old Testament Revelation

Jesus’ “I AM” statements fulfill and expand upon Old Testament prophecies and themes. Each metaphor—bread, light, shepherd, vine—draws from Israel’s scriptures and religious life, showing that Jesus is the ultimate fulfillment of God’s promises. For example, as the “bread of life,” Jesus surpasses the manna given in the wilderness; as the “good shepherd,” He embodies the care and guidance attributed to God in Psalm 23.

​Implications for Christian Faith and Worship

For Christians, the “I AM” statements are foundational for understanding Jesus’ divine identity and His role as Savior. They invite believers to trust in Jesus not merely as a teacher or prophet, but as God incarnate—one who is present, sufficient, and able to meet every spiritual need. These declarations also shape Christian worship, emphasizing the personal and relational nature of God revealed in Christ.

Conclusion: The Ongoing Relevance of “I AM”

The significance of Jesus’ “I AM” statements lies in their dual function: they reveal who Jesus is and invite a response of faith. By linking Himself to the divine name of Exodus, Jesus bridges the Old and New Testaments, showing that the God who spoke to Moses is the same God who walks among humanity in the person of Christ. This revelation continues to inspire awe, devotion, and theological reflection, affirming that in Jesus, the eternal “I AM” is present and active in the world.

The Seven “I Am” Statements by Jesus – Prophetic Fulfilment

1. “I am the bread of life” (John 6:35)

Old Testament Prophecy/Fulfillment:
This statement echoes God’s provision of manna in the wilderness (Exodus 16), where God fed the Israelites with bread from heaven. Moses told the people that God would provide for their needs, but Jesus claims to be the true bread that gives eternal life, surpassing the temporary manna. This fulfills the expectation of a greater provision from God, as seen in Deuteronomy 8:3 (“man does not live by bread alone, but by every word that comes from the mouth of the Lord”). Jesus positions Himself as the ultimate sustenance for spiritual life, fulfilling the type set by manna.

2. “I am the light of the world” (John 8:12)

Old Testament Prophecy/Fulfillment:
The Old Testament frequently refers to God as light (Psalm 27:1), “The Lord is my light and my salvation”; Isaiah 9:2, “The people walking in darkness have seen a great light”). The coming Messiah was prophesied to bring light to those in darkness (Isaiah 42:6-7). Jesus’ claim fulfills these prophecies by identifying Himself as the divine light that guides, reveals, and saves, echoing the creation account where God’s first act was to create light (Genesis 1:3).

3. “I am the door” (John 10:7, 9)

Old Testament Prophecy/Fulfillment:
The imagery of a door or gate is found in the Psalms and prophetic literature, symbolizing access to God’s presence and salvation (Psalm 118:19-20, “Open to me the gates of righteousness”). Jesus fulfills the prophecy that the Messiah would be the way through which people enter into God’s salvation and safety. He is the exclusive means of entering the “sheepfold” of God’s people, fulfilling the expectation of a divinely appointed way to God.

4. “I am the good shepherd” (John 10:11, 14)

Old Testament Prophecy/Fulfillment:
God is repeatedly described as the shepherd of Israel (Psalm 23:1, “The Lord is my shepherd”; Ezekiel 34:11-16, where God promises to shepherd His people Himself and judge false shepherds). The Messiah was prophesied to be a shepherd who would care for and lay down His life for the flock (Ezekiel 34:23). Jesus directly fulfills these prophecies by claiming to be the good shepherd who knows, leads, and sacrifices Himself for His sheep.

5. “I am the resurrection and the life” (John 11:25)

Old Testament Prophecy/Fulfillment:
The Old Testament contains promises of resurrection and eternal life (Isaiah 26:19, “Your dead shall live”; Daniel 12:2, “Many who sleep in the dust of the earth shall awake”). Jesus’ statement and His raising of Lazarus demonstrate that He is the fulfillment of these prophecies, possessing authority over life and death and offering eternal life to all who believe in Him.

6. “I am the way, the truth, and the life” (John 14:6)

Old Testament Prophecy/Fulfillment:
The Old Testament describes God’s law and wisdom as the way, the truth, and the source of life (Psalm 86:11, “Teach me your way, O Lord”; Proverbs 14:12, “There is a way that seems right to a man, but its end is the way to death”). The Messiah was expected to reveal God’s truth and provide the way to Him (Isaiah 35:8, “And a highway shall be there, and it shall be called the Way of Holiness”). Jesus fulfills these prophecies by declaring Himself the exclusive path to the Father, the embodiment of truth, and the giver of life.

7. “I am the true vine” (John 15:1)

Old Testament Prophecy/Fulfillment:
Israel is often depicted as God’s vine or vineyard in the Old Testament (Psalm 80:8-16; Isaiah 5:1-7), but Israel failed to produce good fruit. The prophets foretold a time when God would restore His people and make them fruitful (Jeremiah 23:5). Jesus, as the true vine, fulfills what Israel could not—He is the source of spiritual life and fruitfulness for all who abide in Him, fulfilling the prophetic vision of a renewed, fruitful people of God.

Each “I AM” statement is deeply rooted in Old Testament prophecy and imagery, showing that Jesus fulfills and surpasses the expectations of the Messiah as revealed in the Hebrew Scriptures.

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