“It is I; do not be afraid.” (John 6:20)
In the Old Testament, God’s personal name was YHWH. This name is difficult to translate, but means something like “I am”. In New Testament Greek, it reads “ἐγὼ εἰμί”. This short phrase thus has a deep theological meaning.
The stunning thing about Jesus is that He uses this personal name of God and applies it to himself. He thereby claims to be God himself. For most of the people in his days, that is utterly unthinkable. They can’t accept the truth of his claim, and therefore condemn him for blasphemy. Ultimately, this is the reason Jesus is sentenced to death.
However, we know that Jesus’ claim was true. He is God indeed!
In the coming days, we will read a couple of texts where Jesus uses the phrase “I am” together with a description that reveals an important aspect of his character and work. These statements give us a picture of Jesus as the One who creates and sustains our lives, both now and in eternity.
Are you eager to learn more about Jesus?