I AM

It has been good to be able to enjoy the warmer weather. Although the high temps are creating some issues with the spring runoff and posing some flooding risks. Last fall during the devastating flooding I was sequestered in the hospital and so much of it was what I caught on the news and from Debbie and members of the staff.

I was able to get out for a little while today and water the strawberry crop and trim some rose bushes. I will need to be creative on how I handle some of the other task outside and so I will see how that goes.

I did get a good exercise session in today and I do feel some strength coming back to my arm and even my shoulders. I am able to lift the wheelchair out of the trunk of the car which is a sign of progress. Tomorrow afternoon is another therapy session as well as a scheduled visit from a nurse.

BIBLE VERSE FOR TODAY… I am the gate for the sheep…. whoever enters through me will be saved…I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full…. “I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep. John 10:7,10,11

 As I have been reading in John’s Gospel the past few days, the “I am” statements of Jesus have caught my attention. This morning in John 10 Jesus uses two of them to describe His mission in bringing people life.

If you remember in Exodus when God spoke to Moses from the burning bush, Moses asked God “who shall I say is sending me?” God’s response, “I am” “I am the I am” is who is sending you. From this self declaration and revelation of Himself emerges the identity of the “Lord God.”  The I am God. The all-sufficient, all-powerful, all-knowing God.

The Gospel of John reveals Jesus as the Son of God. It is no surprise that we see the greatest identification of Jesus with God the Father and the greatest number of “I am” statements in this gospel. When confronted by the Pharisees, Jesus simply said, “before Abraham was, I am.” This was direct statement of equality with God; the Pharisees view it as such and want to stone Jesus for blasphemy.

The “I am” statements of Jesus are significant because they reveal His character and nature  as God bring life and light into the world. John records these additional “I am” declarations:

John 6:35 – I am the bread of life

John 8:12 – I am the light of the world

John 11:25  I am the resurrection and the life

John 14:6  I am the way, and the truth, and the life

John 15:1  I am the true vine

Each of these statements provides a great opportunity for further study and contemplation. Before each one you could place the words, “the Lord God is…” to gain even a greater emphasis on the metaphors. Through each of these Jesus is revealing Himself in a way that addresses the greatest need in a person’s life. We find the Lord is our source for existence, light in darkness, provides direction in the midst of confusion, He gives hope beyond the temporal existence of this life, He is the vine that provides the continual life source to all who are connected with Him.

Review these, think about what they mean. Use them as expressions of worship to the Lord and as you do receive the reality of what each offers to you. Today I am thanking the Lord that He is the resurrection and the life and that He is bringing strength and life back to my body and soul.