As I work through the Book of John in the New Testament, I’ve discovered a common theme that I never noticed before. Jesus talks a lot about who He is. In John 6, the crowds ask Him for a sign so they know how to believe Him. They reminded Jesus about how God provided them manna from heaven to sustain them. They asked Jesus for bread from heaven. Jesus responds by saying, “I am the Bread of Life.” He is the Source.
In John 11, Jesus’ friend Lazarus has died. Martha, his sister, is deeply grieved. Jesus tells her that Lazarus will rise again. “I know that he will rise again in the resurrection on the last day,” she responds. Jesus says, “I am the resurrection and the life.” He is the Source.
During His last moments on earth, the disciples ask Jesus, in John 14, to show them the way to the Father. Jesus responds, “I am the way, the truth, and the life.” He is the Source.
John 15 says that He is the vine and we are the branches. He is the Source.
In other Gospels, Jesus calls Himself the Light of the World, the Good Shepherd, and the Temple. The Book of Hebrews calls His body the “veil of the temple” and when He was ripped, so was the veil that kept us from the Holy of Holies, the very presence of God.
So what do I take from this? What does this mean for my daily life?
When I need peace, I do not just need the attribute of peace. I need the Prince of Peace. When I need forgiveness, I need the Lamb of God who takes away my sins. When I am rejected and suffering, I need the God who IS love. I need the One who IS all these things. I need Jesus the Messiah.
God does not always answer my prayers with the outcome that I desire. But He ALWAYS answers my prayers with Himself. That’s why, in John 14-16, Jesus says seven times that when we are abiding in Him, He will always answer us. He will always show up personally as the Great I AM. If I ask Him for a fish, He will not give me a stone. If I ask Him for an egg, He will not give me a scorpion. He will always give me the Holy Spirit when I ask (see Luke 11:11-13).
Ask Him for your deepest desires. You may not get your specific outcome, but you will ALWAYS get Him! He promises that in the end, it’s the better deal!
