Who Jesus Says He is

The Bible tells us much more about who Jesus is than simply the details of his life. The Bible also helps us understand what Jesus’s life means to us. Jesus himself does this throughout the Gospels. For example, in the Gospel of John, Jesus uses seven “I am” statements to self-identify, describe how he interacts with us, and communicate his purpose in the world. Jesus’s earliest followers would have clearly understood many of these self-identifying statements as Jesus placing the authority of God on himself.

“I am the bread of life” (John 6:35)

Jesus declares that he is ultimately satisfying for the human soul. Unlike normal bread, anyone who enters into a relationship with Jesus will never experience the deep, soul-desperate hunger for hope and meaning that too often accompanies human existence.

“I am the light of the world” (John 8:12)

Although we live in a dark world where it’s often hard to know how to respond to what’s around us, Jesus tells us to look to him as the light, saying “the one who who follows me will never walk in darkness, but have the light of life.”

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“I am the door” (John 10:7)

Specifically referencing the door (or gate) of a sheep pen, Jesus tells us that he provides safety and security for all who follow him, just as a shepherd provides it for sheep. Evil may pursue you, but it ultimately cannot destroy you.

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“I am the good shepherd” (John 10:11)

Again, going back to the shepherd metaphor, Jesus describes himself as the good shepherd who will “lay down my own life for the sheep.” Jesus points ahead to his saving work on the cross to help us understand his love and care for his followers.

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“I am the resurrection and the life” (John 11:25)

Because of Jesus, even death cannot defeat us. “The one who believes in me, even if he dies, will live” (John 11:25). This is the hope Jesus-followers lean on in the most difficult days, as we face death today.

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“I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No man comes to the father except through me” (John 14:6)

Jesus is unique in all of human history. It is only through him—and the redeeming work he did for us on the cross—that gives us access to God the Father. He, himself, is the narrow gate that leads to life that he describes in Matthew 7:14.

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“I am the true vine” (John 15:1)

As believers, we’re only fruitful when we’re connected to Jesus. He is the one who gives us the power to impact the world around us in his name. We must stay in constant communion with him.