Jesus identifies himself with the significant and symbolic words. In this chapter, jesus establishes a pattern that continues through john s gospeljesus makes a statement about who he is, and he backs it up with something he does. Johns gospel, or at least some of them, which i shall explain in a moment. As i prepared my sermons, the truths of these seven sayings began to deeply impact me.
The seven i am sayings in the gospel of john, jesus refers to himself as i am on a number of occasions. The apostle john distinctively presents jesus as the logos, the eternal word of god john 1. Exploring the i am sayings of johns gospel by iain d. Here they are the 7 i am sayings of jesus in john 1. What did jesus mean when he said, i am the way, the truth, and the life john 14. This paper examines the i am sayings in the gospel of john first through the ear of primary orality and then through the eye of textuality. In the fourth gospel, which is traditionally known as the gospel according to john, there is special significance in the many times that jesus is found saying, i am. I am the bread of life, i am the light of the world, i am the door of the sheep, i am the good shepherd, i am the resurrection and the life, i am the way, the truth and the life and i am the true vine. Since the statement is not before abraham was i was, it is easy for some moderns reading through certain metaphysical assumptions to conclude that this is a statement of the atemporality of god, or about the nature of time in general. Sep 11, 2015 seven i am sayings of christ in john s gospel rev. John was also the writer of the book of revelation where there are some more i am statements of jesus that are less well known.
It is named for seven notable events, often called signs or miracles, that it records. Each statement gives us a glimpse into gods character and what hes like. Jesus responded by saying, i am the way and the truth and the life. Ben witherington iii shares how recognizing the seven signs are key to understanding our fourth gospel. Bible study commentary on jesus the great i am an introduction to the i am s in john s gospel. I am sayings of jesus in johns gospel religion essay. Jan 02, 2020 here are the seven metaphorical i am statements found in johns gospel. The gospel of john contains 14 occurrences of the word feet.
John s gospel is a mystical reflection on the word made flesh, jesus christ. In the gospel of john, an allimportant phrase, spoken by jesus, is repeated seven times. The gospel of john is the only gospel that contains all seven of jesus i am statements, and each one is significant and had special meaning which only the. In the gospel of john, jesus makes seven statements beginning with the words i am. The seven i am sayings of jesus christ recorded in john. Mar 21, 2010 what are the seven signs and seven i am statements in the gospel of john. The seven i am statements of jesus in john s gospel find this and more great catholic infographics and quotes. The seven i am sayings of jesus christ recorded in johns gospel. When god revealed himself to moses in the burning bush, he told moses his name is i am, and say this to the people of israel. The gospel according to john, there are seven i am sayings of jesus. And he said, t hus you shall say to the children of israel, i am has sent me to you. In addition to these seven miracles, johns gospel contains seven i am statements. Signs in the gospel of john confirm the i am sayings. To interpret john rightly, we need to observe that jesus ministry is anchored in the old testament, and that every character of the old testament points to the work that jesus came to accomplish.
We have spent the past 5 weeks discussing these passages. Reflections on the seven i am sayings in the gospel of st john i am the good shepherd 5 24 june 2003 17 for this reason the father loves me, because i lay down my life, that i may take it again. And in this paper, i will try to reflect about why did jesus refer to himself. What are the seven signs and seven i am statements in the gospel of john. The i am sayings of jesus through him the cosmos was created, and through him the father is most perfectly revealed. I am sayings in the gospel of johna linguistic approach. Summarizing johns gospel archives grace thru faith. This is an esoteric exploration of the meaning behind the words jesus spoke at intervals and recorded by st john in his gospel. This becomes the definition of jesus in johns gospel, that he is the i am of exodus, and if the people were willing to understand his words and actions signs, they would recognize him. Last month, i had the opportunity to preach at a christian camp. So jesus said to them again, truly, truly, i say to you, i am the door of the sheep. Signs in the gospel of john confirm the i am sayings of jesus. In christianity, the book of signs refers to the first main section of the gospel of john, following the hymn to the word and preceding the book of glory. In most english versions, many of the i am saying are easily recognized, such as those below.
He who comes to me shall never hunger, and he who believes in me shall never thirst john 6. In this chapter, jesus establishes a pattern that continues through johns gospel jesus makes a statement about who he is, and he backs it up. There are seven or eight i am statements in john s gospel depending on how you count them. The significance of this number begins in genesis with the seven days of creation and echoes all the way to the sevens of the book of revelation seals, trumpets, bowls, thunders, etc. Thats what the apostle paul seemed to understand as well. They actually prove that jesus is god and was the god of the old testament. In john s book, are paired together 7 signs from jesus, and also 7 i am sayings that john links together. The eighth i am statement in johns gospel david bahn. Each statement gives us a glimpse into gods character and what. Shortly after saying he was the door, he then adds, i am the good shepherd. Throughout the new testament, there are a number of significant amplifications of this. Dec 16, 2015 it also contains several unique literary and theological elements based on the jewish perfect number sevenseven signs and seven i am sayings. The 7 i am statements of jesus explained faith island. Each i am is a description jesus gave of himself and is recorded in johns gospel.
Menorah structure of the seven types of metaphorical emphatic i am statements of jesus christ, corresponding details in the birth of jesus christ, and corresponding signs in the works miracles of jesus christ. The vast majority of these sayings are only found in isaiah 4055 and john because the theme of isaiah 4055 is the identify of jehovah and the theme of john is the identity of jesus. Last sunday, during the wrapup of our multiyear series through the gospel of john, i laid out five different lists of 7s that john used to point people to jesus. What are the seven i am statements in the gospel of john.
So stands for the inhalation, ham stands for the exhalation. Turning these sayings into a song might help the kids remember these truths. Since the campers ages ranged from 7 to 12 years old, i wanted my sermons to be simple, memorable, and foundational. The seven i am sayings of jesus have you ever thought about the seven i am sayings of jesus. Throughout the new testament, there are a number of significant.
In this chapter, jesus establishes a pattern that continues through johns gospeljesus makes a statement about who he is, and he backs it up with something he does. The seven i am sayings help us better understand the divinity of jesus christ. In john s gospel jesus will use these words 26 times and in 7 different metaphors each used with a predicate nominative. Then jesus spoke to them again, saying, i am the light of the world. The seven i am statements of jesus in johns gospel catholic link. I believe jesus was saying the manna was meant to be a model of. It has been a recent tradition to have a sermon series in the hilary term, and this term i have chosen the i am sayings in st. I am the door of the sheep learn more about the door 7. I am sayings of jesus in the gospel of john jesus christs seven unique i am metaphorical statements about himself in the gospel of john have corresponding details in the circumstances of his birth, and corresponding signs miracles. The seven i am statements of jesus in johns gospel find this and more great catholic infographics and quotes. Sproul examines the eight unique i am sayings of jesus recorded in johns gospel, all of which are powerful expressions of his saving relationship to the world.
Seven chapters on each of the i am sayings of our lord jesus christ from john s gospel. Aug 10, 2018 so i chose to preach on the seven i am sayings of christ in the book of john. In the four gospels jesus unique authority and identity as the son of god are expressed in sayings which begin with the words i am greek, ego eimi, a phenomenon most frequently. You can call them part 2 of john s underlying message to the church. Jesus christs seven unique i am metaphorical statements about himself in the gospel of john have corresponding details in the circumstances of his birth, and corresponding signs miracles. Seven times in john s gospel jesus utters the words i am. Scattered all through johns gospel there are seven places where jesus talks about who he is. Studying the john gospel and using friedrich rittelmeyers book meditation, along with kristina kaines book, i am. The gospel of john is dramatically different than the synoptic gospels matthew, mark and luke. Surveying the twentyone chapters of the gospel of john, it is interesting to consider the groups of seven that occur in this gospel.
Menorah structure of i am sayings of jesus in the gospel of. Through him the cosmos was created, and through him the father is most perfectly revealed. May 22, 2010 the seven i am sayings in the gospel of st john since 2003 i have written weekly reflections, mostly covering themes that can be found in the gospel of st john as well as the last series i have just completed, which took three years, which was on the revelation, the mysterious last book in the bible. The gospel of john is the only gospel that includes all seven statements. Each i am is a description jesus gave of himself and is recorded in john s gospel. In the book of john we find jesus demanding that we believe he is the christ, the divine son of god that was sent from heaven. Their focus is on what happens after we become believers. Johns gospel includes seven i am sayings revealing god as manifested in jesus and his relationship with israel. So i chose to preach on the seven i am sayings of christ in the book of john. The gospel of john is the fourth of the four gospels of the new testament matthew, mark, luke, and john.
I am the true vine, and my father is the vinedresser. Sproul examines the eight unique i am sayings of jesus recorded in john s gospel, all of which are powerful expressions of his saving relationship to the world. Next, we find seven i am sayings in which jesus declares his divinity and messiahship. In part 1, the seven miracles in john, i showed how john selected these seven miracles specifically for their ability to help us believe that jesus is who he claimed to be, and that by believing we might have eternal life.
There is another i am statement in the book of revelation, but these i am statements in the gospel of john point back to the old testament and also. Below is a list of jesus seven i am statements in the book of john. In some of jesus i am sayings, though some translators add he after i am, the nab correctly literally translates the phrase simply, i am. The gospel of john contains 14 occurrences of the sohami am that statement greek words.
The other sayings were limited to just one metaphor. Traditionally, the brief sayings have been called words. The seven i am sayings in the gospel of st john since 2003 i have written weekly reflections, mostly covering themes that can be found in the gospel of st john as well as the last series i have just completed, which took three years, which was. And of course, for john, it is not the miracles or even the teachings of jesus that do this. In the gospel of john i am is used by jesus in three different ways. The gospel of john is the only gospel that contains all seven of jesus i am statements, and each one is significant and had special meaning which only the jews could understand.
In seven of these passages, john joins this phrase to tremendous metaphors which are expressive of jesus saving relationship toward the world. Due to the greek vocabulary and construction of that phrase and its relation to exo 3. I am glad to welcome you at the general audience a few days before. What are the seven i am statements in johns gospel made. Singing the seven i am sayings of christ jonathan threlfall. Jesus echoes the i am statements of jehovah in the. In this study, well look at these seven i am statements to see what theyll tell us. The book of john the 7 signs and the 7 i ams of jesus. He who comes to me shall never hunger, and he who believes in me shall never thirst. Here are the seven metaphorical i am statements found in john s gospel. Using the seven i am sayings as guideposts toward understanding the gifts christ brings to humanity are powerful intimate tools for personal growth.
Many are familiar with the famous i am statements of jesus recorded in john s gospel. Jan 18, 2009 a warm welcome back to college, to students, staff, fellows, choristers, parents and visitors. The sayings of jesus on the cross sometimes called the seven last words from the cross are seven expressions biblically attributed to jesus during his crucifixion. In this repetition we see the fullness of his character. In his gospel, jesus is reported as giving seven i am statements about himself in. Nkjv study bible is a reliable guide for your journey into gods word. The seven i am sayings of jesus in john s gospel 1. I am the vine john 15 sunday school lesson and bible video for kids. I wanted them to stick with the campers long after the week of camp. The seven i am sayings of jesus from the gospel of john. This theologically profound gospel is composed by the beloved. Sep 28, 2016 there are seven or eight i am statements in johns gospel depending on how you count them. What are the seven i am statements in john s gospel made by jesus.
In johns book, are paired together 7 signs from jesus, and also 7 i am sayings that john links together. The i am statements of jesus sermon series this sermon series, written by the rev kevin giles, looks at jesus seven i am statements in the gospel of john. All the ot and gods redemptive acts were pointing to the coming of jesus as the godinflesh, the true and better israel, and the fulfillment of all the ot types and shadows. The seven i am sayings of jesus pictures of jesus christ. In doing so he declaring that he is the yahweh of the old testament. In part 1, the seven miracles in john, i showed how john selected these seven miracles specifically for their ability to. In addition to these seven miracles, johns gospel contains seven i am.
I am, ego ami, which reminds us of yahwehs revelation of himself to moses 3 times as i am in exodus 3. There are eight such statements if i am with no metaphorical object is included. Gods name i am reveals his identity, his status, and his character, and was given to jesus so that he can reveal gods glory to mankind, in the world where many claim to be gods and saviours. After brief background from john s gospel this piece will concentrate on these examples from revelation. Oral i am sayings promoted a sense of the present, exalted jesus offering the benefits. The seven i ams of jesus what christians want to know. I am, ego ami, which reminds us of yahwehs revelation of himself to moses3 times as i am in exodus 3. The gospel of john is the only gospel that includes all seven statements jesus made. The seven i am sayings of jesus christ recorded in johns.
It is a wonderful privilege for us in the first baptist church in dallas to welcome the uncounted thousands of you that are sharing this hour on radio and on television. He who comes to me will never go hungry, and he who believes in me will never be thirsty. In the last message i gave an introduction to the i am series and we looked at moses encounter with the great i am in the burning bush exodus 3. This is the first i am sayings of jesus and this saying affirms that jesus is the bread which gives and sustains life, the life of the kingdom of god 1.
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