Recorded in the Gospel of John, our Lord made seven statements referring to Himself as I AM…
I AM The Light of the World
I AM The Bread of Life
I AM The Door
I AM The Good Shepherd
I AM The True Vine
I AM The Way, The Truth, and The Life
I AM The Resurrection and The LifeEach week during this season of Lent, here on the Seeking Him blog, we will be focusing our devotionals on a different aspect of Jesus’ revelation of Himself as I AM. The aim of Lent should be to prepare our hearts for the remembrance of Jesus’ sacrifice—His trial and torture, the Crucifixion and His death…and above all, the celebration of His Resurrection from the dead. We pray that this will be a great encouragement to each of you who read them. And that all of us will consider the significance of Jesus’ words and, through them, be helped as we remember and are thankful for all Jesus went through during the last few weeks of His life on this earth.
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Thomas said to Him, “Lord, we don’t know where you are going, so how can we know the way?” Jesus answered, “I AM The Way and The Truth and The Life. No one comes to the Father except through Me. If you really know Me, you will know My Father as well. From now on, you do know Him and have seen Him.” Philip said, “Lord, show us the Father and that will be enough for us.” Jesus answered: “Don’t you know Me, Philip, even after I have been among you such a long time? Anyone who has seen Me has seen the Father. How can you say, ‘Show us the Father’? Don’t you believe that I am in the Father, and that the Father is in Me? The words I say to you I do not speak on My own authority. Rather, it is the Father, living in Me, who is doing His work. Believe Me when I say that I am in the Father and the Father is in Me; or at least believe on the evidence of the works themselves. Very truly I tell you, whoever believes in Me will do the works I have been doing, and they will do even greater things than these, because I am going to the Father. And I will do whatever you ask in My name, so that the Father may be glorified in the Son. You may ask Me for anything in My name, and I will do it.
John 14:5-14
Jesus loves me. Jesus loves you. When you and I study the Bible, we are learning about the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit. The words we read are inspired by the Holy Spirit. Nothing is written where the power of God did not move the people to write, translate, and compile the book we know as the Bible.
Can you hear Jesus’ frustration with Philip? (Though I am not sure I may not have asked the same question.) Through their training and living with Jesus, the Apostles may have just looked at him as just a man with an anointing from God. Not as Who He truly is—Jesus being the image of God. This thought is pretty cool though. Just think of being around Jesus, who is the image of God, for three years. I would imagine I might just take for granted Jesus being with us everyday, not thinking He was going to ever leave. I would, not intentionally, not listen as intently. I would hear, but not really. Then once He was gone I would regret not having been more intentional in listening, as well as noting everything being said…watching the miracles being performed…wishing I had asked for God to anoint me in much the same way as His Son.
This reminds me of Elisha and Elijah in the Old Testament. In this record, just before Elijah was taken up to be with God, Elisha asked for the anointing of Elijah’s power, to do God’s work with His people. Just by taking up Elijah’s robe, Elisha was able to continue to do God’s great work among the Jewish people. In reading about the prophet, I just realized the young boy Elisha healed through God…was Habakkuk. Just amazing how God works in everyone’s life!!!
God is wonderful. He coordinates, orchestras our lives in ways we never realize. This Easter season, look for ways to bless others and to be a blessing. Ask the neighbor if they want to go to an Easter celebration with you, or if they would like to have lunch or dinner with you and your family this year. If you do this already, expand and invite others. Be a blessing. God will reward you greatly.
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Thank You, Father, for Your love. Thank You for watching over us and keeping us safe in all areas of our life. Give us opportunities to be a blessing in other’s lives. Help us to be a willing vessel to be used by you to further Your Kingdom. In Jesus’s name, amen.