Devotionals

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In the gospel of John, Jesus refers to Himself many times using a metaphor beginning with the words "I am."

What is a metaphor?

You might recall the definition from your high school or college English class. According to the Oxford English dictionary a metaphor is a figure of speech in which a word or phrase is applied to an object or action to which it is not literally applicable whereas a simile is a figure of speech involving the comparison of one thing with another thing of a different kind, used to make a description more emphatic or vivid (e.g. as brave as a lion or to use the cliche as sharp as a tack)

Here are several metaphors that Jesus applies to Himself as they appear chronologically in the gospel of John.

"I am the bread of life." John 6:35

"I am the light of the world." John 8:12

"I am the door of the sheep." John 10:7

"I am the good shepherd." John 10:11,14

"I am the resurrection and the life." John 11:25

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

"I am the true vine." John 15:1


You'll notice that Jesus describes Himself in such a way that would have a special meaning to Jewish believers.

Jesus didn't use a simile by comparing Himself to a door otherwise He would have said, "I am like a door" or "I am as a door" but Jesus said "I am the door."

Jesus didn't say "I am as a way" or "I am like the truth" or "I am as life." Jesus said, "I am the way, the truth and the life."

To a Muslim or Jew today Jesus might be "a way or a truth" but certainly not "the way" or "the truth" but here was a claim
to Deity made to the Jewish believers of His day and they knew this. Notice further the definite article that is used "the"
which establishes Himself as Himself as absolute truth and
ultimate reality. Nobody gets "the truth" or can lay claim to "the truth" unless they have Jesus Christ as "the life".

Jesus said iin John 17:3 "And this is LIFE ETERNAL, that they might know thee the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom thou hast sent."

If Jesus had said He was merely "a truth" then we would all still be in the dark as to where truth is found but Jesus made it clear to all who have "the light" for He is "the light of the world" and in this light we (believers)see light "...for whatsoever doth make manifest is light." Ephesians 5:13

Jesus is "the life" for without Him there is only DEATH. A man may think himself alive but apart from the Lord Jesus Christ he is dead in trespasses and sins and in need of eternal life that only Christ can give. Colossians 3:1

"He that hath the Son hath life; and he that hath not the Son of God hath not life." 1 John 5:12

The sheep follow Jesus because He is "the good shepherd" and they must enter the door since there is no other way to enter because He said, "I am the way".

Many people stumble upon the Lord Jesus Christ because they will not come to heaven by Jesus' way. They will not receive His truth and therefore they will not have His life (eternal)

Is it any wonder that the early Chrisians were first known as followers of "the way?" Acts 9:2; 22:4

In the Old Testament Israel was called the vine but in the New Testament Jesus said of Himself "I am the true vine."


Praise God we do not have to be in the dark as to where the truth is found. It is found in Jesus Christ, the annointed one who was the Messiah. The Jews need look for no other for their Messiah has come although they knew it not at the time they crucified Him.

The ministry of Jesus depended upon who is was and His name affirmed His nature that He was God. Saying the words "I am" was Jesus' way of saying to the Jewish people that He was God the promised Messiah.








Carlton Pruitt ministers the gospel to the Los Angeles area. Formerly a Hollywood actor (SAG member)and junk removal expert he now spends most of his time studying the scriptures, writing articles, hymns and poems and doing street preaching.

See his videos on http://www.youtube.com Type LAStreetPreacher in the search bar. CONTACT at Carlton2061@gmail.

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