Key Scriptures: John 8:48-59
The Jews answered him, “Aren’t we right in saying that you are a Samaritan and demon-possessed?” “I am not possessed by a demon,” said Jesus, “but I honor my Father and you dishonor me. I am not seeking glory for myself; but there is one who seeks it, and he is the judge. Very truly I tell you, whoever obeys my word will never see death.” At this they exclaimed, “Now we know that you are demon-possessed! Abraham died and so did the prophets, yet you say that whoever obeys your word will never taste death. Are you greater than our father Abraham? He died, and so did the prophets. Who do you think you are?” Jesus replied, “If I glorify myself, my glory means nothing. My Father, whom you claim as your God, is the one who glorifies me. Though you do not know him, I know him. If I said I did not, I would be a liar like you, but I do know him and obey his word. Your father Abraham rejoiced at the thought of seeing my day; he saw it and was glad.” “You are not yet fifty years old,” they said to him, “and you have seen Abraham!” “Very truly I tell you,” Jesus answered, “before Abraham was born, I am!” At this, they picked up stones to stone him, but Jesus hid himself, slipping away from the temple grounds.
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Lesson One: The name I AM reveals Jesus’ identity.
• Jesus doesn’t just tell us what he can do—he tells us who he is
John 14:6, I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.
John 11:25, I am the resurrection and the life. The one who believes in me will live, even though they die.
John 10:11, I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep.
John 8:12, I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness, but will have the light of life.
John 10:9, I am the door. If anyone enters by me, he will be saved and will go in and out and find pasture.
John 6:35, I am the bread of life. He who comes to me shall never hunger, and he who believes in me shall never thirst.
John 15:1-2, I am the true vine, and my Father is the gardener. He cuts off every branch in me that bears no fruit, while every branch that does bear fruit he prunes so that it will be even more fruitful.
Teaching Truths
• Jesus’ I AM statements reveal his identity.
• Jesus doesn’t claim to be a way, a truth, or a life—he claims to be the way, the truth, and the life.
• The focus of these statements isn’t simply what Jesus can do—it is who Jesus is.
• Everything Jesus is for us—flows from who he is.
Application
Jesus isn’t simply someone who can help you find what you need—he is what you ultimately need
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Lesson Two: The name I AM reveals Jesus’ divinity.
• Jesus didn’t claim to be merely a messenger from God—he claimed to be God.
John 8:53-58, Are You greater than our father Abraham? He died, as did the prophets. Who do You claim to be?” Jesus answered, “If I glorify Myself, My glory means nothing. The One who glorifies Me is My Father, of whom you say, ‘He is our God.’ You do not know Him, but I know Him. If I said I did not know Him, I would be a liar like you. But I do know Him, and I keep His word. Your father Abraham rejoiced that he would see My day. He saw it and was glad.” Then the Jews said to Him, “You are not yet fifty years old, and You have seen Abraham?” “Truly, truly, I tell you,” Jesus declared, “before Abraham was born, I am!”
Exodus 3:13-14, 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.’ ”
Teaching Truths
• Jesus’ claim goes beyond being a prophet or messenger.
• Jesus identifies himself with the eternal—I AM.
• The seven “I AM” statements are propositional truths about Jesus—but I AM identifies who Jesus is.
• Jesus claimed to be God.
Application
Don’t reduce Jesus to a prophet, messenger, or moral teacher. Jesus doesn’t leave us that option. He asks us to reckon with who he says he is.
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Lesson Three: The name I AM reveals our relationship with God.
• The ultimate question isn’t simply whether we have heard about Jesus. It’s whether we know him. If Jesus is God, then knowing Jesus means knowing God.
John 15:5, I am the vine; you are the branches. If you remain in me and I in you, you will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing.
The question isn’t:
• Have you heard of Jesus?
• Do you believe Jesus existed?
• Did you go to Sunday school?
• Did you go to Bible study?
• Do you know scripture?
The question is:
• Do you know that he is your God?
Teaching Truths
• If you know him—God is with you, God is for you, God knows you, God forgives you, God saves you, God leads you, God holds you.
• Christianity isn’t simply knowing the sayings of Jesus—Christianity is knowing Jesus himself.
• If we are in Christ, we are connected to God.
• Jesus isn’t simply the messenger carrying God’s message—Jesus is God.
Application & Invitation
Don’t settle for knowing about Jesus. Come to know him. Trust him. Abide in him. Know him as the great I AM who has come to save you.
