I AM
"Very truly I tell you,” Jesus answered, “before Abraham was born, I am!." ~ John 8.58
Jesus used the first person, singular pronoun (I) in conjunction with the present tense “to be” linking verb (am) on many occasions. He would follow these with a predicate noun to complete the sentence. “I am the Bread of Life.” “I am the True Vine.” “I am the Good Shepherd.” Etc. The predicate noun (“bread;” “vine;” “shepherd;” etc.) completed the thought of the sentence and referred back to the subject.
However, here in John 8.58, Jesus uses the “I am” (subject and linking verb) without a predicate. It’s an awkward phrase. Except, in this 1st century Jewish context this phrase had a meaning with an extraordinary punch.
In the Greek the phrase is “ego eimi.” The religious leaders to whom Jesus was speaking knew exactly what Jesus was communicating with these words. In Exodus 3.14 God reveals Himself to Moses in a burning bush and tells Moses to go to Pharaoh and the captive Hebrews and proclaim their freedom. Moses asks who should he say had sent him . . . who was speaking to him in the burning bush. God answered, “ἐγώ εἰμι ὁ ὤν” (ego eimi ho on) which translates to “I am who I am.”
By using the ἐγώ εἰμι without the predicate, Jesus identified Himself with the God who spoke to Moses in the midst of the burning bush.
Taken in its entirety, Jesus’ statement “Very truly I tell you. . . before Abraham was born, I am,” is a clear claim to divinity. Jesus claimed to exist before Abraham. He was the covenant God who spoke from the burning bush and rescued the Hebrews from Egypt. Jesus even starts the sentence out with “Ἀμὴν, ἀμὴν,” (“amen, amen”) an emphasis marker introducing a statement of pivotal importance that is essential to interpret the overall passage. It’s the equivalent of Jesus saying, “Hey, listen up to what I’m about to say because it’s critically important.”
The religious leaders understood the claim that Jesus was making and, not believing Him to be God, called for capital punishment for Jesus’ blasphemy. They picked up stones in order stone him.
This is one of Jesus’ most powerful claims to deity. His audience completely understood His claim and called for His execution.
John began his gospel by proclaiming the eternality of Jesus (John 1.1-14). The One who always has been and always will be, came to dwell among His creation and reconcile us to Himself. Take time to reflect upon the eternality of Jesus.
Prayer
Jesus, You are the Great I Am. You are the covenant God of Israel that revealed Yourself to Moses. You are the Great I Am who rescued Your people from Egypt. You are the I Am that rescues all those who cry out to You. As we exist in a world of brokenness and chaos, we are so grateful for Your steadfast existence that is our rock of assurance. Amen.
I Am (unknown artist)
As mentioned in an earlier look at the Christ Pantocrator, Orthodox Christianity often embeds the Greek letters ὁ ὤ ν in the halo around Jesus. These letters are the second half of the Greek phrase that is translated from the Hebrew of Exodus 3.14 “ἐγώ εἰμι ὁ ὤν” (ego eimi ho on).
This is the way that Orthodox artists demonstrate the deity of Jesus in their artwork. Here, in this icon, the Greek letters have been replaced with the English “I AM.”
The Greek letters IS and XS to the left and right of Jesus are the first and last letters of the Greek words “Ἰησοῦς Χριστός” “Iesus Xristos” (Jesus Christ).
Jesus holds the New Testament in His left hand with the pages open to John 8.12. Jesus’ right hand is posed signifying that He is giving a blessing or teaching an important truth.
The second icon portrays Jesus as the I Am who is revealing Himself to Moses. The triform halo around His head clearly identifies Him as Jesus in Orthodox iconography.
Take some time to reflect on this art. Reflect on Jesus as the Great I Am.
I Am (unknown artist)
Jesus the I Am in the Burning Bush with Moses (unknown artist)
I Am (unknown artist)
I Am (unknown artist)
As mentioned in an earlier look at the Christ Pantocrator, Orthodox Christianity often embeds the Greek letters ὁ ὤ ν in the halo around Jesus. These letters are the second half of the Greek phrase that is translated from the Hebrew of Exodus 3.14 “ἐγώ εἰμι ὁ ὤν” (ego eimi ho on).
This is the way that Orthodox artists demonstrate the deity of Jesus in their artwork. Here, in this icon, the Greek letters have been replaced with the English “I AM.”
The Greek letters IS and XS to the left and right of Jesus are the first and last letters of the Greek words “Ἰησοῦς Χριστός” “Iesus Xristos” (Jesus Christ).
Jesus holds the New Testament in His left hand with the pages open to John 8.12. Jesus’ right hand is posed signifying that He is giving a blessing or teaching an important truth.
The second icon portrays Jesus as the I Am who is revealing Himself to Moses. The triform halo around His head clearly identifies Him as Jesus in Orthodox iconography.
Take some time to reflect on this art. Reflect on Jesus as the Great I Am.
Playlist Daily Highlight
Take the time to listen . . . really listen to the words of this song. Reflect on them. Let God’s spirit speak to you in this moment.
