As you study the Gospel of John you will find that there are seven “I am” statements made by Jesus. Those “I am” statements include:

• I am the bread of life (John 6:35, 41, 48, & 51)
• I am the light of the world (John 8:12 ; 9:5)
• I am the door (John 8:12 ; 9:5)
• I am the good shepherd (John 10:11, 14)
• I am the resurrection and the life (John 11:25)
• I am the way and the truth and the life (John 14:6)
• I am the true vine (John 15:1, 5)

Though not counted among the seven “I am” statements, there are seven claims made by Jesus in John 8:32-59. These claims came as Jesus continues a discussion with the Jewish people concerning who He is.

                I am the truth. In verse 32, Jesus says that the truth will set you free. He was referring to Himself, for in verse 31, He encourages His followers to abide in Him. Jesus is the truth that sets us free. There is much confusion today over what it true. We live in a world of fake news and AI generated responses. It is easy to see how the world will one day be deceived by the anti-Christ. It does not take much for one to be deceived today. However, the one thing we know is certain, Jesus is the truth. Therefore, we must abide in His Word. We must be students of the Bible so that we may know the truth and we can be set free from the deception of the world.

                I am the Son. Jesus, in verse 34, talks about the slavery of sin. We are born in sin and sin enslaves us. We cannot abide in God’s house when we are slaves to sin. But, there is good news. Jesus is the Son. In verse 36, Jesus says, “If the Son makes you free, you are free indeed.”  We have the privilege of being set free from the bondage of sin when we believe in the Son of God, who is Jesus. Whatever chains you may have. Whatever strongholds are in your life. Rest assured, when you put your faith in the Lord Jesus; every chain will break and every stronghold will fall in the name of Jesus.

                I am from God. All throughout the Gospel of John, Jesus makes it clear where He came from. He tells the Jewish crowd that they are descendants of Abraham. Yet, they did not live like descendants of Abraham. Abraham believed in Jesus, but they did not. In that context, Jesus says that He came from God, but they do not. He says that they are of the Devil because they refuse to believe in Him who came from God.

                I am here. Jesus makes it clear that He came from God and He is the Son of God and He is the truth. He says “look at me, I am here”. The very Son of God was standing in front of them. The very truth that could set them free was standing right in front of them. Yet, they would not believe. Oh, my friend, Jesus is so close. He is here. He loves you. His heart’s desire is for you to believe on Him and be a part of His family. When you do believe on Him, He will always be there. He will never forsake you. He will never leave you. He is here.

                I am the Word. Jesus continues to make His case regarding the unbelief of the Jewish people. He says that they do not keep His Word because they are of the Devil. The Word that Jesus speaks is truth, for the Word is truth. The Word is Jesus. He is the Word made flesh. Therefore, those who do not believe in Jesus are deceived and believing a lie.

                I am glorified. The glory the Jesus seeks is the glory of the Father. Yet, because Jesus is one with the Father and sent by the Father, He is glorified. The glory that Jesus has was given to Him by God the Father. He is honored by the Father. Because the Jews looked to God as their Father, this statement by Jesus should have caused them to consider belief in Him. After all, He is honored by the Father, if He is accepted by the Father; should not they also receive Him?

                I am before Abraham. As the argument continues over who Jesus is and who the Jewish people are; Jesus puts the final nail in the coffin by saying that “before Abraham was, I am.” Jesus makes it very clear at this point that He is claiming to be God. At this point they picked up stones to kill Him, but Jesus escaped. This final statement of Jesus solidifies what many were wondering: He is the Messiah. He is the One. He is the great I am.

                With all the evidence pointing to who Jesus is, a response is demanded. One cannot deny who Jesus is. Therefore, the best and only response is to believe in Him and worship Him for who He is.