Archives for June 2020

Good morning,

In the Gospel of John, Jesus makes seven statements beginning with the words I am. Each of these “I am” proclamations furthers our understanding of Jesus’ ministry in the world. They also link Jesus to the Old Testament revelation of God.

In the Old Testament, God revealed His name to Moses: “I AM THAT I AM. This is what you are to say to the Israelites: ‘I AM has sent me unto you’” (Exodus 3:14). Thus, in Judaism, “I AM” is unquestionably understood as a name for God. Whenever Jesus made an “I am” statement in which He claimed attributes of deity, He was identifying Himself as God.

Jesus states, I am the bread of life, light of the world, the door, the good shepherd, the resurrection and the life, the way, the truth, and the life, and the true vine.

This week we will at each of these I AM statements.

“I am the resurrection and the life.”

“Jesus saith unto her, Thy brother shall rise again.²⁴ Martha saith unto him, I know that he shall rise again in the resurrection at the last day.²⁵ Jesus said unto her, I am the resurrection, and the life: he that believeth in me, though he were dead, yet shall he live:²⁶ And whosoever liveth and believeth in me shall never die. Believest thou this?” (John 11:23-26)

When Martha told Jesus her brother would not have died if He had come to Lazarus sooner. Jesus told her something very deep that should bring us comfort when our loved ones die. In essence, Jesus was telling Martha that it didn’t matter that He wasn’t there when her brother was sick because standing before her at the very moment, He was the resurrection and the life.

We know the rest of the story surrounding this statement in John 11:25. Jesus raised Lazarus from the dead in the presence of those who doubted Him.

Some think Jesus wept (John 11:35) over Lazarus’ death, but He wept over Martha’s and the others’ unbelief. Jesus knew He was the resurrection and the life. His raising His friend from the dead proved it to those who didn’t believe.

Death is not the final word for those in Christ.

Do we believe that Jesus is the resurrection and the life?

Our future depends on it. Raising Lazarus from the dead was a notable miracle. However, Lazarus died again. Jesus died, but three days later resurrected, and is seated on His throne in heaven. Christ was resurrected and all the believers in Christ will also be resurrected at the rapture of the church. Then we will have everlasting life.

Jesus truly is the resurrection and the life!

Tom Stearns, WASI Chaplain, 907 715-4001

Good morning,

In the Gospel of John, Jesus makes seven statements beginning with the words I am. Each of these “I am” proclamations furthers our understanding of Jesus’ ministry in the world. They also link Jesus to the Old Testament revelation of God.

In the Old Testament, God revealed His name to Moses: “I AM THAT I AM. This is what you are to say to the Israelites: ‘I AM has sent me unto you’” (Exodus 3:14). Thus, in Judaism, “I AM” is unquestionably understood as a name for God. Whenever Jesus made an “I am” statement in which He claimed attributes of deity, He was identifying Himself as God.

Jesus states, I am the bread of life, light of the world, the door, the good shepherd, the resurrection and the life, the way, the truth, and the life, and the true vine.

This week we will at each of these I AM statements.

“I am the door of the sheep.”

“Then said Jesus unto them again, Verily, verily, I say unto you, I am the door of the sheep.⁸ All that ever came before me are thieves and robbers: but the sheep did not hear them.⁹ I am the door: by me if any man enter in, he shall be saved, and shall go in and out, and find pasture.¹⁰ The thief cometh not, but for to steal, and to kill, and to destroy: I am come that they might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly.” (John 10:7-10)

There is one thing that is common with all doors no matter how they are made. Doors provide an entrance in and doors provide an entrance out of something. In John 10:9, Jesus let people know that He was the entrance into their good things and exit out of their bad things.

Jesus was then, and He is today the passageway for us no matter what we encounter. Jesus is that door that nobody else or nothing can be. Jesus can take us to places that we couldn’t otherwise enter without Him.

Jesus made this declaration after He had previously talked about thieves and robbers. Jesus was teaching that He is the only way to salvation. Jesus is the only way to get to His Father for eternal life.

“I am the shepherd”

“I am the good shepherd: the good shepherd giveth his life for the sheep.¹² But he that is an hireling, and not the shepherd, whose own the sheep are not, seeth the wolf coming, and leaveth the sheep, and fleeth: and the wolf catcheth them, and scattereth the sheep. ¹³ The hireling fleeth, because he is a hireling, and careth not for the sheep. ¹⁴ I am the good shepherd, and know my sheep, and am known of mine.¹⁵ As the Father knoweth me, even so know I the Father: and I lay down my life for the sheep.¹⁶ And other sheep I have, which are not of this fold: them also I must bring, and they shall hear my voice; and there shall be one fold, and one shepherd.¹⁷ Therefore doth my Father love me, because I lay down my life, that I might take it again.¹⁸ No man taketh it from me, but I lay it down of myself. I have power to lay it down, and I have power to take it again. This commandment have I received of my Father.” (John 10:11-18)

In John 10:11 and 10:14, Jesus said, “I am the good shepherd.” Notice He did not call Himself a shepherd. He described Himself as the good shepherd.

A good shepherd cares for His sheep no matter what. In biblical times, shepherds slept outside with their sheep year round. They knew their sheep, and their sheep knew them.

According to Psalm 23, the shepherd provided for and protected the sheep. On occasions, the shepherd had to use his rod and staff to keep them in line and out of danger.

Today, we can say like the sheep, “The Lord is my Shepherd. I shall not want.” That’s because the shepherd provides for us by giving us everything we need and He protects us and keeps us out of harm’s way.

Jesus, our good shepherd, laid down His life for us, His sheep. He did it willingly because of His great love for us. Through His paying our sin debt, we now are able to trust Him by faith and walk through the door of His sheepfold.

Will we allow Jesus to be our “…good shepherd…”?

Tom Stearns, WASI Chaplain, 907 715-4001

Good morning,

In the Gospel of John, Jesus makes seven statements beginning with the words I am. Each of these “I am” proclamations furthers our understanding of Jesus’ ministry in the world. They also link Jesus to the Old Testament revelation of God.

In the Old Testament, God revealed His name to Moses: “I AM THAT I AM. This is what you are to say to the Israelites: ‘I AM has sent me unto you’” (Exodus 3:14). Thus, in Judaism, “I AM” is unquestionably understood as a name for God. Whenever Jesus made an “I am” statement in which He claimed attributes of deity, He was identifying Himself as God.

Jesus states, I am the bread of life, light of the world, the door, the good shepherd, the resurrection and the life, the way, the truth, and the life, and the true vine.

This week we will at each of these I AM statements.

“I am the light of the world”

“Then spake Jesus again unto them, saying, I am the light of the world: he that followeth me shall not walk in darkness, but shall have the light of life.” (John 8:12)

“As long as I am in the world, I am the light of the world.” (John 9:5)

That simply means that Jesus brings light into any dark place.

It is recorded in the book of Genesis that the first thing God called forth was light. He said, “Let there be light, and there was light.” Thousands of years later, God’s Son said He was light.

Notice Jesus didn’t just say He was light that would light up a room or even a street corner. He was inclusive by saying He was the light of the world. In other words, He was not just the light that would go bad as our light bulbs do sometimes. Jesus said He was the very embodiment of light. Wherever He is, nothing is dark because He is the light.

The occasion for this saying was that a woman had been caught in adultery and the religious leaders wanted to stone her to death. Jesus told them to cast the first stone if they were without sin. Nobody could do so. Then Jesus assured them that they didn’t have to live in darkness because He was the light of the world, and He was able to bring light into their lives if they would follow Him.

We need light to see. The world we live in is filled with darkness, sin, and negativity. When we allow the light of Jesus in, it brightens everything. Jesus changes us completely.

Are we living in Jesus light or the darkness of the world?

Tom Stearns, WASI Chaplain, 907 715-4001