Getting to know Jesus

When I first became a Christian, someone told me to read the Gospel of John five times, and the book of Romans twice. I don’t remember who it was, but this was solid advice. Romans explains the major doctrinal truths and how to live them out. John explains who Jesus is and the results of believing in Him.

I can’t remember what I thought about Jesus before He came into my life, but when He did, I knew that this man was God in human flesh. I realize now that the Holy Spirit gave me that understanding and reading John gave me a biblical foundation for this understanding, helping me to know Jesus. He begins with this:

In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was in the beginning with God. All things were made through him, and without him was not any thing made that was made. (John 1:1–3)

God spoke and at His Word all creation came into existence. That Word is Jesus . . .

And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we have seen his glory, glory as of the only Son from the Father, full of grace and truth. (John 1:14)

John shows this is true by the way Jesus talked and lived. This was no mere man, no mere prophet. He said “I AM . . . .” several times, echoing the I AM declared by God the Father when He spoke to Moses at the burning bush. Jesus finished the declaration in seven different ways. With these sayings, He declares His deity. No mere man can say what He said:

1. “I am the bread of life and whoever comes to me shall not hunger, and whoever believes in me shall never thirst.” (6:35) The world is filled with people looking for fulfillment in life, for something to satisfy that empty space in their hearts. Jesus does that. He grants me great contentment and joy. He gives meaning to what would have seemed meaningless without Him.

2. “I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will not walk in darkness, but will have the light of life.” (8:12; 9:5) This is incredibly true. He not only sheds light on life’s perplexities, but He guides me through its mazes, helping me know what to do next, how to find my way when there are no answers from any other sources.

3. “I am the door of the sheep. All who came before me are thieves and robbers, but the sheep did not listen to them.” (10:7, 9) The seeking heart finds only temporary satisfaction in stuff like fame, possessions, popularity, or money. Eventually these become taskmasters even as they pose as the door to satisfaction. Only Jesus offers the way to God and the way to eternal joy. He said no one can come to the Father except by Him. He is the door to abundant life and that safe place of care and protection. Like a sheepfold He keeps me secure in God’s love.

4. “I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down his life for his sheep.” (10:11) Jesus did exactly that. He gave His life for my sin and because of Him God has forgiven me and gave me all that I need. This good Shepherd takes care of me in every way possible. He knows the dangers and snares as well as where to find still waters and green pastures.

5. “I am the resurrection and the life. Whoever believes in me, though he die, yet shall he live.” (11:25) Jesus is not dead. He rose from the grave and because I believe in Him, He is my life. I have been crucified with Him, yet I live! One day this body will die but He will give me a new body, totally transformed into His image. I will be like Him and live forever.

6. “I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.” (14:6) Knowing Jesus means that I also know the Father. Jesus is the way to Him, the truth about Him, His very life in human form that I might know and love Him. God is spirit and invisible; Jesus makes Him known.

7. “I am the true vine and my Father is the vinedresser.” (15:1) In the language of a vineyard, Jesus explains that we are grafted into the One who says I AM and given His life. As I abide in Him, I am able to live like a child of God, holy and demonstrating that I belong to Him. If I pull away from that, He will prune the errant parts using the Word and circumstances of life to test and purify me.

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Jesus, this I AM, like all the others, describe my experience with You. I know that You are God, first by the revelation of the Holy Spirit, and second by the way You love me and deal with me just as these I AM statements say that You will. Whoever told me to read John five times did a good thing. Since then, I’ve repeated that many more times and one day, when I step into eternity, I will find John and maybe give him a huge hug of gratitude as together we worship You, the I AM who is God.

What’s in a name?

Some cultures believe that a name describes our character or what that character should be. This was especially true for the people of God in the Old Testament. While this cannot be taken too far, a study of names can produce surprising insights. Many places and people have names that are related to a reality or event.

God is described with several names that are rich in meaning. However, at least one religious cult says that the proper name of God is Jehovah and since they use that name, they claim to be the only true believers. They get this from God’s encounter with Moses, but unfortunately didn’t do their homework.

Then Moses said to God, “If I come to the people of Israel and say to them, ‘The God of your fathers has sent me to you,’ and they ask me, ‘What is his name?’ what shall I say to them?” God said to Moses, “I am who I am.” And he said, “Say this to the people of Israel: ‘I am has sent me to you.’” (Exodus 3:13–14)

I don’t know much about the Hebrew language so consulted people who do. From several, I learned that this name was not a new revelation. The OT people who believed in God already knew the word translated ‘I AM.’ However, this word is a challenge. It is four consonants without vowels. The proper pronunciation has been lost. It could be: “I am He who is,” or “I am He who exists” reflecting the “is-ness” of God by both His presence and existence. Both are important.

He already told His people that He would be with them in their troubles. While the term speaks of God’s self-existence, they associated it with His relationship to them as their faithful, covenant Redeemer. It also refers to God as creator and sustainer of all that is and all that is happening. He is active and present in their lives. Moses may have understood what He said as, “I cause to be because I cause to be.”

In this encounter with Moses, God authorized him to tell His people: “I AM” has sent me to you,” making this man His prophet who was assigned to speak on His behalf to the Israelites.

In summary, God’s name is a dynamic name based on a Hebrew verb. He is the self-existent One who always was, always is, and always will be, the faithful and dependable God who calls Himself “I AM.” Centuries later, Jesus would take the name “I AM” and even complete it saying: “I am the bread of life” (John 6:35), “I am the light of the world” (8:12), “I am the true vine” (15:1), and so on.

There is no one like God. Tozer says, “When God would make His name known to mankind He could find no better word than ‘I AM.’ When He speaks in the first person He says, ‘I AM’; when we speak of Him we say, ‘He is’; when we speak to Him we say, ‘Thou art.’ Everyone and everything else measures from that fixed point. ‘I am that I am,’ says God, ‘I change not.’”

People often say that people never change, but that is not true. Children grow; their ideas and values change along with their bodies. My husband has changed in the years we have been married. I have changed too, become less concerned with my well-being and more interested in others. Everyone I know changes as they learn and age.

Sometimes people change in negative ways, whether their ‘real’ self comes out or they become hardened by life. This is often disappointing, particularly if they were people we counted on to stay the same.

Even though this never happened to me, this promise is a blessing: “When my father and my mother forsake me, Then the Lord will take care of me.” (Psalm 27:10, NKJV)

He never changes. He might not explain Himself, or let me in on His plans, but He never forsakes me, and He always uses all things for my good, transforming my life as He promises.

And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose. (Romans 8:28)

That ‘good’ is to be like Jesus (verse 29), to be the very best person I can be and that promise also affirms that people do change — in the hands of an unchangeable God. He is who He is. I can depend upon Him.

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Jesus, faith in You has transformed my life. When I think of You as the same yesterday, today, and forever, I feel anchored, held firm by You. You are my rock. I know I can depend on You, the I AM in a chaotic and constantly changing world.