Today let’s start looking at the “I Am” statements, keeping in mind that each of these proclamations reveal to us a piece of the Character of Jesus, as well as His mission on earth.
1- I Am the Bread of Life (see Jn 6:35, 41, 48, 51)
Character: Savior; The One Who gives Eternal Life
Mission: be the one and only Offering to all humans through which we can be saved for all eternity (see Jn 14:6; Ac 4:12)
Jesus makes this statement after He has just fed the 5000+ by multiplying fish and bread. And just like bread will feed the hungry and nourish the body, providing energy to continue to live, so too Faith in Jesus does the same for our spirit and soul. While they were looking for Jesus to feed their worldly hunger, coming after Jesus only because of the great miracle He had executed, Jesus was pointing them higher into Eternity. Jesus tells them He is the true Bread of Life and to eat of Him and not die versus those who ate Manna and still died. (see Jn 6:49-50)
What we can learn is that, if we only eat, or take in, the temporary and fading things of this world, then like it, we too will pass away. But if we choose to take Jesus in— into our heart and mind— then we too will live forevermore, as well as be able to live abundantly here, before we leave this world. As we grow in our Faith, and let go of things of this world, living for the next Life instead, our greatest hunger should be for righteousness, which we can only find in and through Jesus. My Friends, let Jesus nourish you. Let Jesus sustain you. Let Jesus guide your every thought, word and deed. Then bring this Bread of Life to those around you so that they may eat of Him too.
2- I Am the Light of the world (Jn 8:12; 9:5)
Character: Light; Illuminating Presence of God
Mission: gives us sight to discern what is truly good and evil according to God (Second Tree, see Gen 2:9), and the energizing power to live by that good
It is on the last day of the Feast of Tabernacles when Jesus makes this claim. This is the celebration that helped the Jewish nation remember God’s protection and provision during their 40 years of wandering in the wilderness. All those years God had guided them as a Pillar of Cloud by day and Pillar of Fire by night, lighting their journey so that they would be able to follow God. So Jesus here is saying that He is the illuminating Presence of God in their midst.
For us today, it is only in and through Jesus that we can sense God’s Presence. It is Jesus, via the Holy Spirit, Who gives light to our path so we can discern God’s daily Will for our lives. In other words, Jesus is the Light of the world so we can come into the Presence of God and learn how to live the Abundant Life in this world. We need Jesus to bring light to our thoughts so they will align with His more and more. To bring light to our words, so we are speaking love to this world more and more. And to bring light to our actions so we may reflect Him more and more. Without Jesus being the Light of the world, only darkness would continue to spread. But with Him, you and I can spread the Good News instead, that brings His Light to the whole world.
2023’s Got A Minute? Book Club
January: The Bible
<>< Peace, Diane
