I and the Father are One.

“Before Abraham was born, I AM” – John 8:58ff

Jesus’ declaration is a challenge. It’s a WWE smackdown. He’s in a contentious dispute with the Pharisees–again. This particular argument concerns who their respective fathers are. Read John 8 for context. It always puts a smile on my face. They claim Abraham as their father and accuse Jesus of being illegitimate. In John 8:44, He tells them their father is the devil.

That’s a scene I’d like the replay of when we get to heaven.

Jesus is telling the Pharisees He is the I AM of the burning bush. That claim is utterly outrageous. It’s either blasphemy, or it’s true.

It’s true.

We looked at the Good Shepherd chapter a couple of weeks ago, so this verse might be fresh in your mind.

I and the Father are one. – John 10:30

He leaves no room for doubt.

I Am in Greek is Ego Eimi. Jesus refers to Himself as Ego Eimi several other places in John.

• I AM He. (John 4:26) – He declares Himself to be the Messiah to the Samaritan woman at the well.
• I AM the bread of life. (John 6:35) – He sustains us. Manna is a type of Christ.
• I AM the light of the world. (John 8:12) – He’s supreme over Creation
• I AM the gate for the sheep. (John 10:7) – He made a way for us.
• I AM the Good Shepherd. (John 10:1)1 –He cares for His flock.
• I AM the resurrection and the life. (John 11:25) – He gave his life as a ransom for many.
• I AM the way, the truth, and the life. (John 14:6)-He’s the only way. No one comes to the Father but by Him.
• I AM the true vine, and my Father is the gardener. (John 15:1) – A beautiful picture of relationship.

Finally, John 18:1-7 isn’t listed as an I AM declaration, but when Jesus says, “I am,” something supernatural happens.

Jesus goes to the garden with His disciples.

Judas rounds up a Roman cohort and officers from the chief priests and Pharisees and calls Him out there. These men are trained Roman soldiers and Jewish leaders. They came to the garden with torches and weapons.

Jesus came out in the open and asked who they were looking for, and they said, “Jesus the Nazarene.”

Now then, when He said to them, “I am He,” they drew back and fell to the ground. – John 18:6

Jesus answered them with two, quiet words. “I am.” The NASB adds the “He” for clarity. In Greek, His response is simply, “Ego eimi.”

And these grown men, enemies of Jesus, fall to the ground. Felled by, “I AM.”

We know the rest of the story. Jesus is arrested, put through sham trials, tortured, and executed. But I’d like to think that at least one of those men realized how wrong they were.