4. Week Four: The I AM
“Your father Abraham was overjoyed to see my day, and he saw it and was glad.” Then the Judeans replied, “You are not yet fifty years old! Have you seen Abraham?” Jesus said to them, “I tell you the solemn truth, before Abraham came into existence, I am!” Then they picked up stones to throw at him, but Jesus hid himself and went out from the temple area.
Jesus & Judeans in John 8:56-59
So far Jesus has referred to himself as the Son of God, Messiah (Christ), and Son of Man. He also said, “I am the bread of life” (John 5:35). In the verses quoted at the top of this lesson, he refers to his pre-existence and says, “I am.”
That takes us back to the burning bush where God revealed his name to Moses as Yahweh (actually spelled with the 4 Hebrew consonants YHWH), or “I am.” He said, “‘I AM WHO I AM,’ and told Moses, ‘say to this people, “I AM has sent me to you.”’”5
The ESV notes provide insight into the name:
The divine name Yahweh has suggested to scholars a range of likely nuances of meaning:
that God is self-existent and therefore not dependent on anything else for his existence;
that God is the creator and sustainer of all that exists;
that God is immutable in his being and character and thus is not in the process of becoming something different from what he is . . .
that God is eternal in his existence.6
In the Old Testament the Hebrew name for God is generally substituted with “the LORD” in our English translations. It’s good to note that when reading the Old Testament.
John records seven metaphorical “I am” statements by Jesus, beginning with “I am the bread of life,” (John. 6:35) and several absolute statements referring to himself with the Greek phrase ego eimi, I AM (John 6:20; 8:24, 28, 58; 18:5). If you find it helpful, highlight them in a special color as you read further.
Part One
All three parts of this week’s lesson take place during the Feast of Booths, which occurs in the fall. The Law required Jewish men to make pilgrimages to the temple in Jerusalem three times a year for feasts: Passover and the Feast of Unleavened Bread, Feast of Weeks (Pentecost), and the Feast of Booths (also called the Feast of Tabernacles). During all of these holy days, Jerusalem overflowed with practicing Jews from all parts of Israel as well as from other lands. Jesus was the hot topic of conversation at this particular year’s Feast of Booths.
FYI: I’ve always been confused by the conversation in this chapter between Jesus and his brothers (John 7:1-9). Our translation suggests that Jesus lied, but the present tense of the Greek verb can mean “I am not going now.”7 So don’t let it sidetrack you, but focus on Jesus’s teaching and the reactions of the people, the real point here.
Read John 7:1-52.
*** Read about the Feast of Booths or Tabernacles (meaning dwelling places) in Leviticus 24:33-43. Journal about anything that stands out to you. If you have questions, look it up online.
Respond to the story by journaling:
- What were the various theories among the crowd about who Jesus was and what he was doing? Journal about the conversations and their relevance to what you hear today about Jesus.
- Jesus responded with questions and comments to the crowd. Journal about his words that you find most meaningful.
- What is God saying to you today from this chapter?
Part Two
The next chapter begins with a well-known story. What you may not know is that there is considerable doubt based on the textual evidence that it is an authentic part of the gospel because it is absent from all the early manuscripts. Scholars believe it may have been a true story later written into the book, but we should not build doctrine on it.
Because our purpose in this study is to understand Jesus’s identity and character, we will not focus on that story but on the rest of the chapter, but feel free to journal about the initial story as well. Remember that our questions are merely to get you started.
Read John 7:53-8:59.
*** Read and journal about other verses where God clearly uses the name I AM: Isaiah 41:4; 43:10-11, 25.
Respond to the story by journaling:
- John 8:12 records another I AM metaphor, followed by a conversation with the Pharisees in which Jesus uses the ego eimi (John 8:25, 28). Eventually he clearly claims to be I AM (v.58) and almost gets killed for it. Journal your thoughts.
- There is so much back and forth in this story. What do you learn from Jesus about dealing with people who do not believe in him?
- What is God saying to you about your relationship with Jesus today?
Part Three
Chapter Nine continues the story of events at the Feast of Booths or Tabernacles. Picture thousands of people crowded into tiny city streets and who knows how many hundreds at the Temple.
Read John 9.
*** Journal about the chaos that follows the miracle.
Respond to the story by journaling:
- Consider Jesus’s interaction with his disciples in vv. 1-5, and journal your thoughts.
- Write down your insights into one or more of the various reactions people had to this sign.
- Discuss the way Jesus expanded the metaphor of blindness and how God speaks to you through it.
PRAYER: Read Revelation 22:12-13 and write a prayer of praise to the great I AM.
Watch Who Is This Jesus: Week 4 That Accompanies This Lesson At https://Vimeo.Com/Album/4507580
Related Topics: Christian Life