“Moses said to God, ‘Suppose I go to the Israelites and say to them, ‘The God of your fathers has sent me to you,’ and they ask me, ‘What is his name?’ Then what shall I tell them? God said to Moses, ‘I AM WHO I AM. This is what you are to say to the Israelites: I AM has sent me to you.’ [Exodus 3:13-14]
The ‘I AM’ designation used to give me pause, but I recently read a great sermon by Billy Graham (perhaps from the 1960’s!) that demonstrated it’s importance. I learned that in the gospel of John, Jesus used that same phrase seven times as He taught His disciples and followers:
[#1] “Then Jesus declared, ‘I am the bread of life. He who comes to me will never go hungry, and he who believes in me will never be thirsty.‘” [6:35]
[#2] “When Jesus spoke again to the people, he said, ‘I am the light of the world Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness, but will have the light of life.”[8:12]
[#3] “I am the gate; whoever enters through me will be saved. He will come in and go out, and find pasture.” [10:9]
[#4] “I am the vine; you are the branches. If a man remains in me and I in him, he will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing.” [15:5]
[#5] “I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep. [10:11]
[#6] “Jesus said to her, ‘I am the resurrection and the life. He who believes in me will live, even though he dies; and whoever lives and believes in me will never die. Do you believe this?” [11:25-26]
[#7] “Jesus answered, ‘I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.'” [14:6]
So now in my puny mind I am a lot more comfortable with the “I AM” designation, as it was used both by God to Moses and by Jesus to His followers. May I be so bold as to suggest that you re-read the above seven statements and determine if one or more speaks to you. And then utilize that to guide the rest of your day. Or week. Or life.
Blessings
Keith