When God called Moses to deliver the Israelites from Egypt, Moses asked God a question: Who should I say has sent me? God answered this simple question with an answer that established an eternal truth. Here was God’s reply.
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.’” (Exodus 3:14)
How can two brief words comprising just three letters possibly have so much meaning? You can find the answer to that question when you understand the meaning of “I am.”
Does “I Am” Have a Special Meaning in the Bible?
The phrase “I Am” holds a special significance in the Bible. It is linked to the divine name of God and holds significance for the 1 Exodus passage mentioned earlier.
God’s name has been commonly expressed as Yahweh or Jehovah, which originates from the Hebrew root hayah. This word means to be or to exist. It points to the eternal and self-existent nature of God. It tells us that God’s existence is not contingent on external factors. He stands as the supreme source of all existence. The designation emphasizes that God exists independently beyond time, underscoring His position as the ultimate and unchanging creator of all things.
What Does the Meaning of “I Am” Tell Us about God?
When you think of “I am,” the one thing you should remember is that God is present. He is present in time, present in history, and present in the affairs of all humanity.
Here is how Stuart Douglas wrote it in his commentary on Exodus:
“The name should thus be understood as referring to Yahweh’s being the creator and sustainer of all that exists and thus the Lord of both creation and history, all that is and all that is happening—a God active and present in historical affairs.” – Exodus, vol. 2, 121.
How Did Jesus Use “I Am” in His Ministry?
Jesus used seven I am statements in the gospel of John to define who he was.
- In John 6:35, Jesus declares I am the bread of life.
- In John 8:12, Jesus declares I am the light of the world.
- In John 10:7, Jesus declares I am the gate for the sheep.
- In John 10:11, Jesus declares I am the good shepherd.
- In John 11:25, Jesus declares I am the resurrection and the life.
- In John 14:6, Jesus declares I am the way, the truth, and the life.
- In John 15:1,5, Jesus declares I am the true vine.
In each of these statements, Jesus identified another aspect of who he is in relation to those who would believe in him. He is the bread of life that satisfies our souls’ longings. As the light of the world, he is the one who guides our way. Because he is the gate, he protects the sheep. As the good shepherd, he cares for and lays down his life for the sheep. Because he is the resurrection and the life, he gives us the hope of eternal life. Because he is the way, the truth, and the life we know, he is the only way we can access the Father. As the true vine, he sustains us day by day. Every time Jesus made an “I am” statement, he revealed another aspect of who he is and defined who he is in our relationship with him.
Perhaps the most revealing “I am” statement is his words in John 8:58.
“‘Very truly I tell you,’ Jesus answered, ‘before Abraham was born, I am!’”
When Jesus made this statement, he was talking to a crowd of Jews. When they heard this, they immediately knew what Jesus was saying. Jesus declared his divine nature and established himself as equal to the Father. After all, “I am” was only connected to Yahweh. In the next verse, the Jews picked up stones, attempting to kill him because, in their minds, Jesus had committed blasphemy by equating himself with God. However, Jesus did not misspeak. He knew exactly what he was saying. These two words reveal Jesus’ eternal nature and his divine nature. He made it known, to his listeners then and to readers today, that he is God in flesh. The one who was before all things began and the one who will be when all things end.
What Did Jesus Mean When He Said “I Am He” in the Garden of Gethsemane?
One of the more interesting events in Jesus’ life occurred the night they came to arrest him.
“‘Jesus, knowing all that was going to happen to him, went out and asked them, ‘Who is it you want?’ ‘Jesus of Nazareth,’ they replied. ‘I am he,’ Jesus said. (And Judas the traitor was standing there with them.) When Jesus said, ‘I am he,’ they drew back and fell to the ground.’” (John 18:4-6)
To my knowledge, an event like this had never occurred before in Jesus’ ministry. The reaction of the men coming to arrest Jesus signifies his words meant more than just revealing his presence. The words Jesus spoke at that moment carried the same authority as the ones he spoke earlier in John 8:58. It was also proof that no one took Jesus’ life but that he willingly laid it down. If his words alone could cause armed soldiers to fall to the ground, then at any point, Jesus could have stopped the arrest and his eventual crucifixion. However, he did not because, as he said, “I am he.” He is the one who had to come and die so that you and I might have life.
When you put this incident in perspective, it foreshadows what will happen to everyone who will stand before Jesus.
“Therefore God exalted him to the highest place and gave him the name that is above every name, that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue acknowledge that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.” (Philippians 2:9-11)
What Does the Meaning of “I Am” Teach Us Today?
When you think of "I am" today, within those words, you find Jesus is everything you need when you need him.
- If you need comfort, he is the God of all comfort.
- If you need peace, he is the prince of peace.
- If you need salvation, he is the lamb of God, who takes away the world's sins.
- If you are alone, he is the one who will always be with you.
- If you are unsteady, he is the rock you can build your life upon.
- If you need direction, he is the way.
- If you are deceived, he is the truth.
- When you breathe your last breath on this earth, he is the resurrection and the life. Because he lives, you will also live.
It does not matter where you are in life; the “I am” with you. He has walked where you walked. He has been where you have been. He knows exactly how you feel. That’s why he is also your great high priest who can empathize with your situation in life.
“Therefore, since we have a great high priest who has ascended into heaven, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold firmly to the faith we profess. For we do not have a high priest who is unable to empathize with our weaknesses, but we have one who has been tempted in every way, just as we are—yet he did not sin. Let us then approach God’s throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need.” (Hebrews 4:14-16)
You can feel confident today because the Great I am is active and present in your life. You will never be left alone because the one who started the work in you will complete it. In your journey with Jesus, he is “I am” at the beginning and will be “I am” through the end. Whatever you need, you will find it in him, and you can approach his throne confidently because the “I am” is there to help you in your time of need.
Photo Credit: © Getty Images/Apisit Suwannaka
This article is part of our Names of God Series featuring the most used names and titles of God found in the Bible. We have compiled these articles to help you study all that God says He is and to help you understand His nature and character. Our hope is that you would focus on these truths and find hope as you rest in the promise of God’s presence, no matter the circumstances.
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