The First Baptist Church of Wakefield, Massachusetts was struck by lightning on October 23, 2018.  As a result, a seven-alarm fire spread quickly through the church and destroyed the building.  Somehow a single painting that hung in the front entrance of the church was unharmed.  It was a painting of Jesus standing with outstretched hands.¹   In the middle of their heartbreak and devastating loss, the church members and pastor saw this painting as a sign of hope—a reminder from Jesus that “I AM still with you.”

In these uncertain, chaotic days that seem to go on and on, it helps to remember Jesus is still with us today.  When everything seems hopeless and out of control, we can go to God’s Word to be refreshed and strengthened and to be reminded of all Jesus continues to do for us.  One of the good places to begin our study of Jesus is in the Gospel of John. 

In John’s gospel, Jesus shocked the people around Him when He began to describe Himself as “I AM.”  The religious people of that day felt this was a title that could only be used for Almighty God and considered it blasphemy when Jesus applied it to Himself.  They based their belief on Exodus 3:13-14: 

Moses said to God, “Suppose I go to the Israelites and say to them, ‘The God of your fathers has sent me to you,’ and they ask me, ‘What is His name?’  Then what shall I tell them?”  God said to Moses, I AM who I AM.  This is what you are to say to the Israelites: ‘I AM has sent me to you.’”

 Despite the opposition, Jesus continued to use this phrase to describe Himself.  He also stated in John 10:30, “I and the Father are one,” which amazed the religious people of His day.  Let’s expand our view of who Jesus is by looking at seven ‘I AM’s’ of Jesus in the Gospel of John.   

1. I AM the Bread of Life (John 6:35)

At the beginning of chapter 6, Jesus feeds the 5,000.  The crowd then discovers that not only could Jesus heal them, He could feed them too!  Jesus’ popularity surges to the point where they are about to make Him King over them (John 6:15). In response—and to ensure their zeal doesn’t hasten God’s plan—Jesus withdraws to the mountain to be alone.  The crowd seeks Him because they want Him to continue to do what He did yesterday and heal them and feed them.  Instead of physical needs, Jesus offers them and us eternal bread that gives eternal life.

2. I AM the Light of the World (John 8:12; 9:5)

There are many lights in this world and we can choose to follow any of them.   Following “a” light can lead you anywhere. Following THE light leads to salvation. When Jesus declares Himself as a light, it is no ordinary light.  He is “THE” Light, and is sufficient for the whole world to follow.  Let Jesus be our Light and share “THE” Light with others.

3. I AM the Door (some translations read “Gate”) (John 10:7)

Just as there are many lights, there are many doors and each door leads somewhere.  Jesus is not one of those many doors; He is “THE” door—the exclusive means of access to God the Father.  Don’t miss the DOOR!

4. I AM the Good Shepherd (John 10:11, 14-15)

Jesus, our Good Shepherd, loves us, leads us, cares for us, and laid down His life for us.  As our Good Shepherd, Jesus isn’t merely leading us here and there with no goal.  He is leading us on a spiritual journey to God the Father Himself.  During trying times, remember: the Lord is our Shepherd, and we have everything we need.

5. I AM the Resurrection and the Life (John 11:25-26)

The life Jesus imparts to us is not merely the hope that one day we’ll die and go to heaven.  Jesus is the source of eternal life.  When we know Jesus, we too have resurrection and life.  We can approach life and its many challenges, trials, and storms with a sense of hope and power in Jesus.

6. I AM the Way, the Truth, and the Life (John 14:6)

There are many “ways” or “paths” in this world, but despite what the world would have us believe, there is only one way to God the Father.  Jesus is the way we live here and the way we lead others to live while here on earth.  Jesus isn’t a truth or the spokesperson for truth.  He is literally everything God wanted to say to sinful man in this world.  Jesus gives life and through His earthly example defines the life we are all meant to live.

7. I AM the True Vine (John 15:1-4)

Jesus states He is the true vine. This vine never dies, and it is the source of life and fruit for all vines in the vineyard.  Without connection to the Christ-Vine, the branches and the fruit wither quickly and die in the heat of the sun.  The vineyard is a metaphor for fruitfulness.  Jesus said, “Abide in me,” and as we abide, the Holy Spirit opens our eyes to the places He wants us to go and bear fruit that honors God.  Stay attached to the Vine!

 This is only a feeble attempt to describe some of the attributes of Jesus—He is indescribable and so much more than my mind can even begin to grasp.  But, even though we cannot totally comprehend His greatness, we can ask God to give us strength and wisdom to make Jesus, the Great I AM, change who we are.

I recently read the following poem by Helen Mallicoat² and it’s a perfect reminder of where our focus should be in both good times and difficult times:

My Name is I AM

 I was regretting the past 
and fearing the future. 
Suddenly my Lord was speaking:
“My name is I AM.”

 He paused.

I waited.

He continued…

“When you live in the past

with its mistakes and regrets,

 it is hard. I am not there. 
My name is not I WAS.

When you live in the future

with its problems and fears,

 It is hard. I am not there. 
My name is not I WILL BE.

When you live in this moment, 
it is not hard. I am here. 
My name is I AM.”

1. https://www.cbsnews.com/news/jesus-painting-survives-fire-that-destroyed-150-year-old-church-in-massachusetts/
2. https://www.comeaside.com/my-name-is-I-am.html

In the remake of the movie The Karate Kid, Jackie Chan says to Jayden Smith, “Your focus needs more focus.”  In a recent sermon, Pastor Ralph encouraged us to “Put off the old self and put on the new self” (Ephesians 4:20-24).  Put off anger, doubt, depression, discouragement, dread, fear, worry, and all the other ungodly things that can fill us and cloud our thinking.  Identify the negative things within us and let them go.  Be aware that Satan sees empty spaces in our lives as opportunities.  So, just as soon as we have made space, consider how God wants us to fill that space.  Put on God’s wisdom, a changed heart, a different attitude, and a determination to serve the Lord.

Pastor Ralph also said in this sermon, “Start with the right priority,” and encouraged us to begin each day with God, even if it is only two or three minutes in the beginning.  In April 2017, Lifeway Research asked this question among Americans:  How much of the Bible have you personally read?  The responses:  

• 10% - none of it
• 13% - only a few sentences
• 30% - several passages or stories
• 15% - at least half of it
• 12% - almost all of it
• 11% - all of it
• 9% - all of it more than once

While polls/surveys are not always a reliable source, the number of people who read and apply the scriptures to their lives continues to dwindle.  Bible illiteracy is currently called a “scandal,” an “epidemic,” a “crisis,” and a “big problem.”  Where do we fall in the above statistics?  Do we ever complete our Bible reading for the day, close the Bible, mentally check it off our list, and then totally forget what we just read?  Or, has daily Bible reading become a hit or miss event?  Or, have we just abandoned it completely and depend on Bible Study and sermons for our once, maybe twice-a-week, spiritual feeding?  What can we do to “focus our focus” and “start with the right priority?” 

Recently, I received a booklet from Our Daily Bread Ministries entitled “Biblical Meditation:  Developing a Heart for God.”  The booklet defines biblical meditation, its benefits, and gives suggestions as how to meditate on Scripture.  Could biblical meditation enrich our time in God’s Word and increase our desire to learn more about God and what He has written to us? Could it help us begin 2020 with the right priority? 

Let’s clarify that biblical meditation is not to be associated with transcendental or western meditation which focuses on inner peace, or emptying our minds, or using our reasoning capacity.  Biblical meditation seeks to purge what should not be within us and fill our hearts and minds with scripture, truth, God’s presence, and a commitment to God’s purposes.  Listed below are some of the things involved in biblical meditation: 

• Come into God’s presence and ask the Holy Spirit to open our hearts and minds to understand, to feel, to hear, and to act based on His Word.
• Submit to God’s presence and truth.
• Focus on God’s presence and God’s thoughts.
• “Ponder” (think about, reflect on) who God is, what He has done.
• Align our present life with God’s will for us.

The challenge is to develop the mental discipline of being able to close off our responsibilities, troubles and worries for specific time intervals.  Let our goal be spiritual contemplation that focuses on God, His Word and His thoughts. 

Listed below are some of the scriptures that support biblical meditation: 

Keep this Book of the Law always on your lips; meditate on it day and night, so that you may be careful to do everything written in it. Then you will be prosperous and successful. (Joshua 1:8) 

Blessed is the one who does not walk in step with the wicked or stand in the way that sinners take or sit in the company of mockers, but whose delight is in the law of the Lord, and who meditates on his law day and night. (Psalm 1:1-2) 

I remember the days of long ago; I meditate on all your works and consider what your hands have done. (Psalm 143:5). 

Suggestions for biblical meditation:

1. Begin by selecting a Bible verse (longer portions of scripture or chapters can be used later as we gain experience. (Read the surrounding verses to get the setting and an understanding of the verse.)  We might want to read this verse in several translations.
2. Write the verse in longhand on a 3x5 card. (Or, highlight it on the Bible app on our phone/computer/other electronic device.
3. Memorize the verse.
4. Study the text. Contemplate each word.  What does it tell us about who God is, His plan, His work?  How do we respond to this verse (in prayer, in obedience)?
5. Pray for God to give you guidance to understand the text.
6. Allow the Holy Spirit to speak to and through the text. Trust the Holy Spirit to help you.  He is our secret weapon and will guide, teach, correct, encourage and strengthen us as we meditate on God’s Word.
7. Consider the benefits of nighttime contemplations of scripture, particularly just before you go to sleep. Practice beginning and ending each day meditating on God’s Word.

Let’s look at a verse we have already memorized: 

The Lord is my Shepherd, I shall not be in want. (Psalm 23:1) 

The Lord is—He is the only Lord and ruler over all, creator of the universe, all-powerful, compassionate, forgiving, just, holy, loving, merciful, faithful, righteous, wise, unchanging, unshakable, our comforter, our intercessor, our refuge, sovereign. 

My Shepherd—He is MY Shepherd who leads by example, affirms, comforts, corrects, encourages, listens, guides, protects, sets boundaries, provides safety and life, laid down His life for us, knows us, and gives us a sense of belonging. 

I shall not be in want—He is our provider.  All our needs are supplied by the Lord our Shepherd, be satisfied and thankful for what the Lord our Shepherd has given us.  Daily make the decision to trust God to supply our needs.     

From this example, go to other favorite chapters or verses such as: 

Psalm 121

Proverbs 3:5-6

Isaiah 41:10

Romans 1:16-17

Romans 15:13 

Since all Christian forms of meditation are open to God’s presence and perspective, sometimes the things God reveals to us result in prayer to thank God, ask His guidance and wisdom in a particular situation, ask for forgiveness for a particular sin, or ask for His help in determining and developing action steps for what He wants to do in our lives.  This is not a lack of focus; it is following the direction of the Holy Spirit.  Once we’ve prayed, we can return to our Christian/biblical meditation.  

As I worked on this blog, Christian meditation has often been typed “Christian medication” and I’ve had to go back and make corrections.  To meditate on God’s Word is, in a sense, “Christian medication” indeed.  Prescribed medication can be effective, ineffective and sometimes even deadly.  A daily “dose” of spending time in God’s Word, seeking His presence and His will, and getting to know Him better will always be beneficial and effective.  Let us resolve to start this year with the right priority by studying God’s Word.  Our focus will have more focus.