I AM Eyes
Recently, we were given a simple challenge: Pick a book of the Bible and just start reading!
For some reason (I think we know who ‘some reason’ is) I was drawn to the book of John. As I read further into his writings, I began to notice how many times the words ‘I Am’ were recorded.
Of course, there are the famous ‘I Am’ statements:
- I am the Bread of Life (John 6:35)
- I am the Light of the World (John 8:12)
- I am the Door (John 10:9)
- 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 Vine (John 15:1,5)
But I started seeing other ‘I Am’ statements in a different light. Conversations Jesus had with His disciples and others He encountered sounded a little different to me as I read them with my ‘I Am Eyes’.
Jewish people would have known that I AM is how God refers to Himself. We see that Jesus refers to Himself using the words ‘I Am’. But I wonder if the way He uses ‘I Am’ in His normal conversation is also a way of reminding us who He is.
Matthew 18:20 For where two or three are gathered together in My name, I am there in the midst of them.”
Matthew 28:20 …teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age.”
Mark 14:61-62 Again the high priest asked him, “Are you the Christ, the Son of the Blessed?” 62 And Jesus said, “I am, and you will see the Son of Man seated at the right hand of Power, and coming with the clouds of heaven.”
Luke 10:3 Go your way; behold, I am sending you out as lambs in the midst of wolves.
John 8:24 I told you that you would die in your sins, for unless you believe that I am he, you will die in your sins.
John 14:11 Believe me that I am in the Father and the Father is in me…
Revelation 1:8 “I am the Alpha and the Omega,”
This is just a sprinkling of the times Jesus uses the words ‘I Am’ and I think each time He is saying, directly or indirectly,
I Am God. Remember that.’
A little internet research showed that the term I Am in relation to God appears over 300 times in the Bible. Starting in Genesis (Genesis15:1 After these things the word of the Lord came to Abram in a vision: “Fear not, Abram, I am your shield; your reward shall be very great.”) and ending in Revelation 22:20 (“Surely I am coming soon.” Amen. Come, Lord Jesus!)
All throughout His Word, God is reminding us of His presence and His power. He doesn’t say ‘I was’ or ‘I will be’, He says ‘I am’…right now, in this moment and in every moment. I find peace in the thought that I am never alone, because
I AM is always there…and I love the thought that He reminds me of it through His Word!
Thank you, God, for giving me “I Am Eyes”!
(some great I Am lyrics can be found in the links below)
Dawn Lubker, Ministry Assistant
