“Again the high priest asked him, ‘Are you the Christ, the Son of the Blessed?’And Jesus said, ‘I am, and you will see the Son of Man seated at the right hand of power, and coming with the clouds of heaven’” Mark 14:61-62
If you’re seriously ill, you go to a doctor. And when you hear him tell you that he can make you well, you rejoice! Jesus often said, “I can.” He healed many. But as powerful as these acts were, the effect was only temporary. All those healed, and even Lazarus who was raised from death, eventually died. Is the benefit of knowing Jesus only temporary?
Not at all, because Jesus said two other and far more important words. All but three letters, they make all the difference: Jesus said, “I am.”
To the woman at the well He did not say, “I can give you water” but rather “I am living water,” that will keep you from thirst forever. He gave bread to the hungry crowds, but He said, “I am the bread of life,” able to feed the hunger of your souls. To those who live in the valley of the shadow of death—to all of us—He said, “I am the life.”
His Father once said to Moses, “I am who I am.” That name belongs to Jesus, too. He is who He is, yesterday, today, and forever. I am. Tiny words, but powerful beyond imagination.
Because He says “I am”, those of us who love Him never tire of saying, “He is!” He is our Lord. He is our Savior.
But we say more. We too say, “I am.” We say, “I am His child.” We say, “I am His follower.” We say to the world, “I am a Christian.”
Jesus, thank you that if I am sad, you are joy itself. Thank you, that when I need guidance, You are the very wisdom of God in human form. Thank you that when I needed forgiveness, You are righteousness. “ It is no longer I who live, but Christ who lives in me” (Galatians 2:20). Thank You for being YOU. Amen.
Take Action
Confess that Jesus is your life today. Claim His great name for yourself. Invite Him to be all He is within you. Tell someone else, “I am a Christian.”