Jesus – “I AM” (Part 2)

by Micky Galloway

In John 10:11 Jesus says, “I am the good shepherd: the good shepherd layeth down his life for the sheep.” In verse 14 Jesus said, “I am the good shepherd; and I know mine own, and mine own know me.” In these verses, Jesus gave and then explained the parable of the sheepfold. This presents a shepherd-flock relationship, and in the metaphor used here, Jesus portrayed Himself as the shepherd of the flock. In our society, it is hard for us to appreciate the role of an eastern shepherd. Their work was demanding. They were exposed to the elements of heat and cold. At times, they encountered such wild beasts as wolves, lions, panthers, and bears, and occasionally their lives were endangered by robbers. This was not a job for a hireling whose sole interest in the job was how much he could earn for himself. As Jesus called Himself the “good shepherd,” He intends for us to learn something greater than just eastern shepherding customs. Jesus spoke of His own death in which He would lay down His life for the sheep. In John 10:16-18 He said, “And other sheep I have, which are not of this fold: them also I must bring, and they shall hear my voice: and they shall become one flock, one shepherd . Therefore doth the Father love me, because I lay down my life, that I may take it again. No one taketh it away from me, but I lay it down of myself. I have power to lay it down, and I have power to take it again. This commandment received I from my Father.” There would be one fold and one shepherd. Furthermore, this one fold would include other sheep, in addition to those of Jewish nationality. This one fold would consist of both Jews and Gentiles united together and heeding the voice of the good shepherd. The gospel of John serves as an introduction to the book of Acts where we see the fulfillment of these promises. In John 19 we read of the crucifixion of Christ, the good shepherd, as He literally gave His life for the sheep. In Acts 2 we read of the establishment of Christ’s church which at first consisted of Jews only and was extended to include Gentiles in Acts 10. In Acts 20:28 the “church of the Lord” is called “the flock,” … “which He purchased with his own blood.” In the New Testament there is indeed one fold, consisting of Jews and other sheep, the Gentiles. There is one shepherd, Jesus, the Christ. Those who make up the sheepfold are those who have heard the shepherd’s voice in preaching the gospel, and followed through with humble obedience to His will.

In John 11:25 Jesus said, “I am the resurrection, and the life: he that believeth on me, though he die, yet shall he live.” The context of this particular “I am” is John 11:1-24. Two sisters, Mary and Martha, and their brother, Lazarus, lived in Bethany. They sustained a close friendship with Jesus. On one occasion while Jesus was away, Lazarus became critically ill and his sisters sent for Jesus. Jesus did not arrive until after Lazarus had died, and was buried. As Jesus returned and drew near Bethany, Martha and Mary received news that He was returning. Martha went out to meet Him. Jesus said to her, “Thy brother shall rise again” (verse 23). Much faith was evident in Martha’s reply, as she said, “I know that he shall rise again in the resurrection at the last day. Jesus said unto her, I am the resurrection, and the life” (John 11:24-25). In identifying Himself as “the resurrection and the life,” Jesus declared that He is the giver of life. In John 5:28-29, we learn that in the last day, when Jesus returns, all the dead will hear His voice and shall come forth, some to the “resurrection of life,” and others to the “resurrection of judgment.” Though Jesus raised Lazarus from physical death declaring, “Lazarus, come forth,” (John 11:43), in verse 25 He was referring to His power over spiritual death. This is evident from His statement, “he that believeth on me, though he die, yet shall he live; and whosoever liveth and believeth on me shall never die” (John 11:25-26). Those who are spiritually dead, or “dead through your trespasses and sins” (Ephesians 2:1), can be made “alive together with Christ” (Ephesians 2:5).

In John 14:6 Jesus said to Thomas, “I am the way, and the truth, and the life: no one cometh unto the Father, but by me.” In the preceding verses where Jesus made reference to the many mansions in His Father’s house, He said to the disciples, “I go to prepare a place for you.” Then He made them a promise saying, “I come again, and will receive you unto myself; that where I am, (there) ye may be also. And whither I go, ye know the way.” In John 14:5 “Thomas saith unto him, Lord, we know not whither thou goest; how know we the way?” It is most likely that he was wondering where on earth, or in what earthly city existed the royal home to which the Messiah was about to depart. However, as Jesus said in John 18:36, His kingdom is not of this world. When He talked about going to His Father's house, He referred to the place where God, His Father, was. He spoke of heaven. Jesus is the way to heaven! Being “the way,” Jesus is our medium of access to the Father, as Paul so vividly taught in Ephesians 2:18, “for through him we both have our access in one Spirit unto the Father.” Being “the truth,” He stands opposed to all falsehood. Being “the life,” He is its author and source of life and has the authority to state the conditions upon which life is to be attained. Please note the sobering statement following His claim to be the way, the truth, and the life; He further said, “No one comes to the Father but by Me.” You will never find a more narrow statement than this, and it was uttered by Jesus the Christ. Apart from Christ, and our obedience to his revealed will, there is no salvation.

John 6:35, “I am the bread of life: he that cometh to me shall not hunger, and he that believeth on me shall never thirst.” As the “bread of life,” He is both the giver and the sustainer of spiritual life to those who come to Him in scriptural obedience.

John 8:12, “I am the light of the world: he that followeth me shall not walk in the darkness, but shall have the light of life.” Since Jesus is the “light of the world,” those outside of Christ are in spiritual darkness, and should they die in that condition, they will forever be banished from the light of His presence.

John 10:7, “I am the door of the sheep.” As He is “the door,” those who desire to be saved must enter in accordance with the plan which our Lord has ordained.

John 10:14, “I am the good shepherd; and I know mine own, and mine own know me.” As He is the “good shepherd,” to be saved, we must be a part of that relationship which is called “the flock of God,” the New Testament church.

John 11:25, “I am the resurrection, and the life: he that believeth on me, though he die, yet shall he live.” This implies, among other things, that if we desire to be raised to everlasting life, our faith in Christ must express itself in true obedience.

John 14:6, “I am the way, and the truth, and the life: no one cometh unto the Father, but by me.” We learn that those who know and obey the truth, which is the Word of God, enter into Christ, “the way,” and possess the hope of eternal life through Him.