Our names have special meaning. When we were born, our parents gave each of us a name that identifies who we are and who we will be.

Jesus, too, was gifted with a name when he was conceived by the Holy Spirit in Mary’s womb. It is a powerful name as we are reminded in Philippians 2:10: “So at the name of Jesus everyone will bow down, those in heaven, on earth and under the earth.”

Yet, throughout the Gospel of John, Jesus describes himself in other ways that help us draw closer to him. Meditate on these 8 ‘I Am’ statements so you can gain a deeper understanding our Lord’s identity. Share the post with others so they, too, can glean rich meaning from his statements.

1. I Am the Bread of Life
   

   “I am telling you the truth: he who believes has eternal life. I am the bread of life. Your ancestors ate manna in the desert, but they died. But the bread that comes down from heaven is of such a kind that whoever eats it will not die. I am the living bread that came down from heaven. If you eat this bread, you will live forever. The bread that I will give is my flesh, which I give so that the world may live.”
   John 6:47-51 (GNT)

2. I Am the Light of the World
   

   “I am the light of the world,” he said. “Whoever follows me will have the light of life and will never walk in darkness.”
   John 8:12 (GNT)

3. Before Abraham was, I am
   

   “I am telling you the truth,” Jesus replied. “Before Abraham was born, ‘I Am.’”
   John 8:58 (GNTD)

4. I Am the Gate for the Sheep
   

   So Jesus said again, I am telling you the truth: I am the gate for the sheep. All others who came before me are thieves and robbers, but the sheep did not listen to them. I am the gate. Those who come to me will be saved; they will come in and go out and find pasture.”
   John 10:7-9 (GNT)

5. I Am the Good Shepherd
   

   “I am the good shepherd, who is willing to die for the sheep. When the hired man, who is not a shepherd and does not own the sheep, sees a wolf coming, he leaves the sheep and runs away; so the wolf snatches the sheep and scatters them. The hired man runs away because he is only the hired man and does not care about the sheep.

   I am the good shepherd. As the Father knows me and I know the Father, in the same way I know my sheep and they know me. And I am willing to die for them.”
   John 10:11-15 (GNT)

6. I Am the Resurrection and the Life
   

   “Jesus said to her, “I am the resurrection and the life. Those who believe in me will live, even though they die; and those who live and believe in me will never die.”
   John 11:25-26 (GNT)

7. I Am the Way, the Truth and the Life
   

   “Jesus answered him, “I am the way, the truth and the life; no one goes to the Father except by me.”
   John 14:6 (GNT)

8. I am the Vine
   

   “I am the vine and you are the branches. Those who remain in me, and I in them, will bear much fruit; for you can do nothing without me.”
   John 15:5 (GNT)