In John’s Gospel, Jesus makes a series of well-known statements that begin with the words, “I am.”
Here they are:
“I am the bread of life” (John 6:35)
“I am the light of the world” (John 8:12)
“I am the door of the sheep” (John 10:7)
“I am the good shepherd” (John 10:11)
“I am the resurrection and the life” (John 11:25)
“I am the way, and the truth, and the life” (John 14:6)
“I am the true vine” (John 15:1)
Scholars note that this pattern happens seven times—a number often associated with perfection.
They also point out that the words “I am” in Greek (ego eimi), are a specific construction first employed by God himself at the burning bush when he revealed his name to Moses: “I am who I am” (Exodus 3:14). In other words, Jesus consciously chooses the well-known name of God and applies it to himself.
These statements in John were unambiguously understood as comments about Jesus’ own divinity. If I (Matthew) told you that I was the bread of life or the light of the world, you would probably conclude one of two things—that I was either crazy or blasphemous! With Jesus, however, he is simply stating the truth about his own identity and divinity.
My point today isn’t simply that Jesus was God incarnate. It’s related to a further implication for you and me today. Here it is.
Jesus is the answer to our deepest needs. Yes, all the deepest ones.
He is the bread of life—and we long for it, need it, and find satisfaction in it!
He is the light of the world—and we long for it, need it, and find satisfaction in it!
He is the way, and the truth, and the life—and we long for those things, need them, and find ultimate satisfaction only in him.
God comes to us because of his never-ending love for his kids in all the ways that matter most.
-Are you searching? Look to Jesus.
-Are you being led astray by false teachers who say that Jesus isn’t sufficient? Don’t be fooled, look to Jesus.
-Are you wanting to make a change in your life so it is more fulfilling? Look to Jesus.
In a world of cheap substitutes, Christ is the real deal. God knows we have deep needs, and so he came to us in Jesus.
“I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will not walk in darkness, but will have the light of life” (John 8:12).
Notes:
-Note: As of August 10, I am on vacation. However, The Up Daily Devotional will continue daily until August 21, then go on pause for 2 weeks, resuming on September 7, 2026.
-Bible quotes, ESV.
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