Whatever We Need--Jesus Declares "I Am, That I Am"

"I am the resurrection and the life: he that believeth in Me, though he were dead, yet shall he live."  (John 11:25, KJV, because this is how I first memorized it)

Earlier, our Lord Jesus had told the disciples that Lazarus was sleeping; they didn't get it.  "Then Jesus said to them plainly, 'Lazarus is dead.'"  Have you ever noticed how reluctant spiritual people are to say those words.  We shouldn't be, you know.  Followers of Jesus are the People of the Resurrection Life, "....though he were dead, yet shall he live."

Jesus concluded our text to Martha with the Words which really accompany all of the, "God-Breathed," Words, "Do you believe this?"  Martha's response was not an answer to Jesus' question.  It was more of a general philosophical response, a sort of, "Well, some day something may happen."  Every day I believe that our Lord Jesus Christ asks you and me what He asked Martha, "Do you believe this?"  This may sound extremely radical, but every verse of Scripture which you and I read, and every time we read it is followed by the Holy Spirit asking, "Do you believe this?"  

Do not think this trivial.  We are, "born again/from above," once; we are saved daily.  You know that the Word for, "saved," or, "salvation," means, "safety, preservation, healing, restoration, deliverance, prosperity."  These are not "one-time" needs.  I have known people who once "believed" who no longer do.  They should have been asked frequently, "Do you (still) believe this."  Sorry for the digression, but some may think this condemnatory.  "What about the assurance of our salvation?"  A periodic checking of the "believer" in us will keep us assured.  You could ask me this question every day, and I would not be offended.

The great, "I Am," claims of our Lord Jesus Christ are throughout the Gospel of John.  These are not great, "I give," claims.  They are, "I Am," declarations.  Jesus', "I Am," claims go back to what He said to Moses, "I Am, that I Am."  Someone once said, If we need bread, Jesus says to us, "I Am, that I Am."  If we need the way, the truth, and the life, Jesus says, "I Am, that I Am."  If we need light, a Good Shepherd, and perhaps that "ultimate," resurrection, Jesus says, "I Am, that I Am."

Father, in Jesus' Name, I thank You that You not only "give" to me, You Are, "I Am," to me.  Amen.

When Peter, an 18 year old Norwegian, "heard the call to evangelize China, on that day he not only emptied his wallet into the collection plate, but included a small note with the words, 'and my life.'"

Hebrews 12:2

"Seeing Is [NOT] Believing"

"How were your eyes opened?...Where is this Man?...Give glory to God by telling the truth....We know this Man is a sinner....What did He do to you?  How did He open your eyes?"  (From John 9, NIV))

It just does not matter what we do or what we say.  Even if you could put the "proof," which some demand, in a test tube, all would be to no avail; some people just choose to not believe.  I am always suspicious of those who, as those in our text, have unending questions. 

I say that they choose to not believe, because belief is a choice, not a reasoning.  You will remember that after Jesus raised Lazarus from the dead, the resisting Jews not only wanted to kill Jesus, but they also wanted to kill Lazarus, the evidence of Jesus' power and authority.  Likewise, just after Jesus' Resurrection, the Bible tells us, "When they saw Him, some worshipped Him; but some doubted."  Notice, "....they saw Him,.." yet choose not to believe what, "....they saw...."

We must not look for that one supremely intellectual argument to bring someone to Jesus.  Only an "accepting" faith does that. 

I once briefly shared with someone about inviting Jesus into his heart.  His response?  "That's weird."  Of course it is to the "natural mind."  If you push things far enough, the whole Bible could fall under that category.  Jesus reminds us, "If they do not believe Moses and the prophets, neither will they be persuaded though one rise from the dead."  We read that Nicodemus had questions, but what we don't read is that at some point he said, "Ah, now I see and understand."  We do read later, however, that at some point He had surrendered His life to Jesus.  

It may sound trite, even simplistic to some, but the blind man's frustrated response to those for whom no amount of  "answers," no amount of proof could satisfy his inquisitors, seems like sound theology, "One thing I know: that though I was blind, now I see."

Father, in Jesus' Name, I totally agree with the blind man.  Amen.

When Peter, an 18 year old Norwegian, "heard the call to evangelize China, on that day he not only emptied his wallet into the collection plate, but included a small note with the words, 'and my life.'"

Hebrews 12:2

In Know It's Saturday, But....

"The officers answered, 'No one ever spoke like this Man!'"  (John 7:46)

The guards were supposed to bring Jesus to the Jewish leaders.  Instead, they were "dumbfounded" when they heard Jesus' Words, and came back without Him.  They had discovered what you and I have discovered over our life time, "No one ever spoke like this Man!"  Remember what Jesus once told His confused followers?  "The Words that I speak to you are spirit, and they are life."  This, my friend, is the difference between our Lord Jesus Christ and, well, those other guys.  

Have you ever heard someone say that some of what Jesus said had already been said by religion-founders?  There is, however, one very, very huge difference.  Philosophers and religionists could not give humanity, "The Words that...are Spirit, and...Life."  

By the way, our Lord Jesus has made sure that you can have His Spirit-Imparting, Life-giving/sustaining Words any time you so wish.  You may have a copy not too far from you right now.

Father, in Jesus' Name, I thank You so much for, "Words that...are spirit, and...life."  Amen

When Peter, an 18 year old Norwegian, "heard the call to evangelize China, on that day he not only emptied his wallet into the collection plate, but included a small note with the words, 'and my life.'"

Hebrews 12:2

I Have Been Told My "Answers" Are Too Simplistic

"And Jesus said to them, 'I am the bread of life.  He who comes to Me shall never hunger, and he who believes in Me shall never thirst.'"  (John 6:35)

Jesus does not "send" people some place to get what we need; He invites us to Himself, "I Am...," what you need; hence, "Come to Me, all you who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you...."

It is not a "trip" to the bread store or the water fountain.  The hunger and thirst in humanity can only be met in a Person, not a place.  Jesus declared to the crowd, "You seek Me...because you ate of the loaves and were filled."  In essence, there is, "Bread," which you should be seeking.  "Do not labor for the food which perishes, but for the food which endures to everlasting life...."

Way, truth, life, light, bread, resurrection, the well, "springing up to eternal life," all are in Jesus Christ.  Later in John 6 Jesus declares, "I am the living bread which came down from heaven.  If anyone eats of this bread, he will live forever; and the bread that I shall give is My flesh, which I shall give for the life of the world....For My flesh is food indeed, and My blood is drink indeed."

Well, many of the contemporaries who first heard these Words were greatly offended.  I find them, "food indeed, and...drink indeed."

Father, in Jesus' Name, I say with the hymn writer, "Out of my bondage, sorrow, and night, Jesus I come to Thee."  Amen.

When Peter, an 18 year old Norwegian, "heard the call to evangelize China, on that day he not only emptied his wallet into the collection plate, but included a small note with the words, 'and my life.'"

Hebrews 12:2