Moses, charged with leading the Israelites out of Egyptian captivity, asks God “What is your name?””Who shall I say sent me?” (Exodus 3:13)
God’s answer: “My name is I AM. Say that I AM sent you.” (Exodus 3:14)
We will consider the absolute majesty of God’s name for himself in a coming series. Here we are in the Book of John exploring Christ’s use of I AM, and his corresponding claim to the Godhead.
Jesus laid claim to I AM in seven declarations about Himself. In all seven, He combines I AM with extraordinary metaphors which express His saving relationship toward the world. And, by extension, His claim to be God.
These claims are both powerful and practical. The Pharisees would call them preposterous.
Let’s see for ourselves.