Text: Exodus 3:1-15, Isaiah 45:18-19, John 8:31-38
This is part of a 10-day series on the person of Christ in the 2016 Lent study. This introduction to the series is written by our friend, a local pastor, Russ Ramsey.
Who is Jesus Christ? God’s whole redemptive plan—along with our understanding of Easter’s significance—rests on the person of Christ.
During Jesus’ earthly ministry, people answered this question in a variety of ways. Some said He was demon-possessed (John 10:20). Some thought He was a narcissist with delusions of grandeur (John 6:42). Others thought He was the prophet Elijah come back from his celestial chariot ride (Matthew 16:14.)
When Jesus asked His disciples who they thought He was, Peter spoke up and said, “You are the Christ, the Son of the living God” (Matthew 16:16).
We all need to answer this question. Who do we say Jesus is?
C.S. Lewis, in Mere Christianity, said we really only have three options: Jesus is either a liar, a lunatic, or the Lord. He either intentionally made claims about Himself He knew were false, He was delusional, or He really was the Christ.
The Gospel writers answer this question. They present Jesus as a man who is very human. He experiences human feelings like hunger (Mark 11:12), grief (John 11:35), anxiety (Mark 14:34), and the need for solitude (Luke 5:16).
The humanity of Jesus, after all, is what qualifies Him to be a suitable substitute for us.
But the Gospel writers also present Jesus as fully divine. John includes eight “I Am” sayings from Jesus: occasions where Jesus uses the divine name God revealed to Moses at the burning bush to describe Himself (Exodus 3). Who is this divine Word made flesh who dwells among us (John 1:14)? John lets Jesus answer for Himself.
The “I Am” sayings focus specifically on Jesus’ relationship to this world as our Savior.
He is the Bread of Life who satisfies our nagging hunger for contentment (John 6:22-59). He is the Light of the World who frees us from walking in darkness (John 8:12-20). He is the Good Shepherd who keeps us from getting lost (John 10:11-31), and He is the Door through which God’s sheep enter into the safety of His refuge (John 10:1-10). He is the Resurrection and the Life so that, even though we die, yet shall we live (John 11:25). He is the Way, the Truth, and the Life so that we might, through Him, have access to God (John 14:6). He is the True Vine so that, when we are grafted into Him, His life flows continually to us as God Himself prunes and trains us to bear fruit (John 15:1). And He is eternal in His authority—at work in a Covenant of redemption that predates Abraham (John 8:31-59).
In this section of our study during Lent, we will unpack these “I Am” sayings from Jesus and consider together who He claimed to be as He made His way to the Cross for our salvation.
Who do you say Jesus is?
Russ Ramsey is one of the local pastors who serves She Reads Truth & He Reads Truth by providing theological oversight and pastoral counsel. Russ is the author of Behold the Lamb of God: An Advent Narrative and Behold the King of Glory: A Narrative of the Life, Death, and Resurrection of Jesus Christ. He writes and pastors in Nashville, Tennessee. He and his wife Lisa have four amazing kids.
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64 thoughts on "The Person of Christ"
And that’s only the introduction? Wow!!! So much to learn and think about it!!!
Grateful to spend time in God’s Word with you today, Karen!
xoxo-Kaitlin
I loved the overview about the meanings of the “I-Am-Sayings”. That really sums it up! I’m really looking forward to dig deeper during the next 10 days.
I loved that too! Looking forward to “unpacking them” ;)
*stand
There is no power in hell or any who can before the power and the presence of the great I AM!!!!
One of my all-time favorite songs! So much power in those words… Jesus is the Great I Am! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dGv5d8EE34k
Wow SRT, you are so timely! I woke up at 5am feeling compelled to pray for my nation and the upcoming election. And I open to today’s lesson from you! Which brought to my mind Psalm 9: 10. “Those who know your name trust in you, for you, Lord, have never forsaken those who seek you.” I AM. This morning I find my rest and peace in Him. Come what may in November, I AM is all I need . I AM is sovereign. He is indeed exactly who He says He is. (so grateful we will be studying this together… Blessings to you all…)
Amen! Praying for our nation and election with you, and trusting The Lord to give me the vote He desires.
Amen
When Moses hears God’s call, his first response is to look at his own weakness and inadequacy and to ask, “Who am I to do this?” I love how God answers: “I am. I will be with you,” and takes the focus away from Moses and onto his character and power.
I tend to respond like Moses, but this reminds me that, in everything, my focus should be on God. When we were really understand who he is, everything else will fall into place, and we can do whatever he is asking us to do.
It brought to mind the song “Who am I” by Casting Crowns https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=mBcqria2wmg
Praying that our focus would be on him today.
Oh yes Carly! And after God tells Moses I AM will be with him, Moses still is not convinced. Moses says “if I go…” It seems Moses ponders if ‘God with him’ is enough. Am I not like Moses when I fret and worry? Is not ‘God with me’ enough? … Sitting with these thoughts this morning and having some honest conversation with my Lord…
Yes, Carly! You have put words to my faltering faith. I make it about me and not about the I AM. Praying for proper focus today, too!
Love your thoughts here Carly. Prayerful that my focus be go from self to “I am”.
Love this! Thank you for sharing!
Love this! So true
Amen!
thank you fot your words Carly!
37 , ……because you have no room for my word.
Dear Father, please help me to never become so lost that I have no room in my heart for Your word. Please let me always turn to Your word for solace, comfort, peace, joy and gratitude. I pray that my heart, and eyes and ears remain alert to You and the messages You send to me daily. In Your name I pray for wisdom, discernment and courage in every decision that I make so that You are given the glory through my words, actions and thoughts. Amen.
I pray that each of you have Blessed week.
Amen..x
AMEN!!!
Yes and amen!