Words of Identification

As we read John's gospel, we hear the words of self identification on the part of Jesus.  There are seven.  The first comes in the sixth chapter of John, verse 35:  "I am the bread of life."  The second word is found in John 8:12, "I am the light of the world."  "I am the gate for the sheep,"  (John 10:7) is  third and John 10:11 follows with "I am the good shepherd."  John 11;25 says, "I am the resurrection and the life."  The last two of the seven are found in John 14:6 which reads, "I am the way, the truth, and the life" and John 15:1, one which declares, "I am the true vine."      

Anyone who seriously seeks to undertand Jesus is going to spend some time with each one of these autobiogaphical statements spoken by Jesus.  A good starting point for such a study is to lay aside any pre-conceived notions about the meaning of the key words of identification.  It is an easy thing to use our contemporary meanings which are often used in some of the trendy versions of the Bible.  These may be easy to read, but they often lead us away from the images Jesus had before Him and what He might have had in mind as He spoke to those who were listening.   

Another tool to be used in any serious study of these words is prayer.  Toward the end of what we know as the 14th chapter, John wrote another word from Jesus which says, "But, the Advocate, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, will teach you everything , and remind you of all that I have said to you."  (John 14:26).   Biblical commentaries may shed additional light on any verse, but before turning those pages, it is a wise thing to seek out the Teacher who knows exactly what it is that our spirit needs to hear and know about the things Jesus has said and is saying to us.  Praying enables us to listen.