I AM: The God Who Is Here and Now

When you meet someone new, the first thing they usually tell you is what they do.

“I’m a teacher.”
“I’m a contractor.”
“I’m a mom.”
“I’m retired.”

We define ourselves by our jobs, our roles, or even our struggles: I am tired. I am stressed. I am not enough.

But when Jesus introduced Himself in John 8:58, He didn’t give a résumé. He didn’t describe a role. He simply said:

“Before Abraham was born, I am.”

Two words. Infinite meaning.

With that statement, He wasn’t just talking about His age or His history. He was declaring His divinity—tying Himself directly to the name God gave Moses in Exodus 3:14: “I AM WHO I AM.”

And that same declaration still echoes today. Jesus is not “I was.” He is not “I will be.” He is I AM—the God who is eternal, unchanging, and fully present in your life right now.

The Significance of “I AM”

When God revealed His name to Moses at the burning bush, He gave Moses more than a title. He gave him assurance.

I AM means God is eternal, self-existent, and unshakably present. He doesn’t fade, He doesn’t shift, and He doesn’t abandon His people.

So when Jesus used that same name, He was making it crystal clear: He is God. He carries the same authority, the same presence, and the same eternal power as the Father.

No wonder the religious leaders picked up stones. They knew exactly what He was claiming.

But here’s the hope for us: Jesus’ “I AM” is not just a doctrinal claim. It’s a declaration of His presence in our everyday lives.

The Seven “I AM” Statements

Throughout the Gospel of John, Jesus uses “I AM” seven different times, each time revealing a new dimension of who He is:

• I am the Bread of Life (John 6:35). He alone satisfies our hunger.

• I am the Light of the World (John 8:12). He shines into our darkness and guides our way.

• I am the Gate for the Sheep (John 10:7–9). He is our way into salvation and safety.

• I am the Good Shepherd (John 10:11–14). He knows us, cares for us, and protects us.

• I am the Resurrection and the Life (John 11:25). He gives hope beyond death itself.

• I am the Way, the Truth, and the Life (John 14:6). He is the only path to the Father.

• I am the True Vine (John 15:1). Our spiritual vitality depends on staying connected to Him.

These aren’t just metaphors—they’re invitations. Every “I AM” reveals how Jesus wants to meet us in the present tense.

Living in the Present with “I AM”

The beauty of Jesus’ name is its immediacy. He didn’t say, “I was your provider” or “Someday I’ll be your hope.” He said, “I AM.”

That means right now…

• Provision: If you’re empty, He is the Bread of Life who fills you.

• Guidance: If you’re lost, He is the Light who shows the way.

• Security: If you’re afraid, He is the Good Shepherd who protects and cares.

• Hope: If you’re grieving, He is the Resurrection who brings life after death.

• Connection: If you’re weary, He is the Vine who keeps you rooted and fruitful.

Whatever you’re walking through, Jesus meets you in the middle of it—not as a memory of the past or a promise for the future, but as your present help and strength.

Why This Matters Today

Life tries to tell us who we are:

I am overwhelmed.
I am anxious.
I am a failure.

But Jesus steps in with a greater declaration: “I AM.”

Where you are weak, He is strong. Where you are lacking, He is enough. Where you are broken, He is whole.

When you let His “I AM” define your life, you stop living out of fear and start living out of faith.

A Call to Trust the “I AM”

As we close out this summer’s journey through John, here’s the challenge: Don’t just know about the “I AM” statements—live them.

• When you’re hungry, go to the Bread of Life.

• When you’re in the dark, follow the Light.

• When you feel lost, listen to the Good Shepherd.

• When you doubt the future, trust the Resurrection.

• When you feel cut off, cling to the True Vine.

The same power that raised Jesus is available to you right now. The same presence that walked with Moses, Abraham, and the early church is walking with you today.

Final Word

When Jesus declared, “Before Abraham was born, I am,” He wasn’t just making a theological point. He was extending an invitation.

An invitation to trust.
An invitation to follow.
An invitation to live in the reality of His presence, right here, right now.

So the next time you’re tempted to fill in the blank with fear—I am not enough, I am too tired, I am overwhelmed—let Jesus fill it in with Himself.

Because He is, and always will be, the great I AM.