A RADICAL REVELATION, NOT A POWER FLEX
Have you ever found yourself in a heated argument and someone said (or maybe even said yourself), "Do you know who I AM?" It’s a way of demanding respect, asserting dominance, flexing a little power.
But when Jesus says "I AM" in the Gospel of John, it's something entirely different. It's not about flexing power; it's about revealing the God who comes close, brings light, and offers freedom. In fact, when Jesus says "I Am," He’s doing two massive things at once:
He’s connecting to our everyday needs while simultaneously making it clear that He is God. Think back to the Old Testament. When God spoke to Moses from the burning bush (Exodus 3:14), He called Himself "I AM." So when Jesus uses that exact same phrase, He's not just saying, "I’m a really good teacher, or a prophet." He's declaring, "I’m God in human form, and I’ve come close to you." This isn't some distant, unapproachable deity; this is the God who walks among us.
He's setting the stage for radical transformation. As He declares, "I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness, but will have the light of life" (John 8:12). This powerful statement means we can be free from darkness through Him, and only through Him. His light reveals the sin in our lives, and His love covers it. This is precisely why, when we strive to fix things on our own, we often fail. True, lasting transformation only comes through Him.
So, what does that "darkness" in our lives actually look like? Let’s get real for a moment.
Darkness can be:
The guilt we carry, heavy and oppressive.
The secret struggles no one knows about – the lustful thoughts we entertain, the negative places our minds go.
The harsh words we speak behind people’s backs, the senseless talk that tears others down.
Those hidden places where we feel stuck, ashamed, or convinced we’ll never truly change.
But here’s the game-changing news: Jesus doesn’t shine His light to shame us. He shines it to set us free. He’s not exposing us to embarrass us; He’s inviting us out of hiding and into healing. He's saying, "You don’t have to stay in the dark. Come walk in the light with Me."
At Authentic, we hold God’s Word dear to our hearts, even when it’s hard to hear, because we believe His way is the best way. We preach truth, not to scratch itching ears, but to bring genuine freedom.
Let's Reflect: How does knowing Jesus identifies Himself as "I AM" from the Old Testament change your perception of Him? What specific areas of "darkness" in your life do you feel Jesus is inviting you to bring into His light? What does it practically look like to "follow Jesus" and "never walk in darkness" in your everyday life?
Let's Pray: Almighty God, thank You for revealing Yourself to us through Your Son, Jesus, our I AM. Thank You that He is the Light of the World, not for condemnation, but for our liberation. Forgive us for trying to navigate life in the dark or for clinging to things that keep us hidden. Empower us by Your Holy Spirit to truly follow Jesus, to embrace His light, and to experience the fullness of life He offers. In His powerful name, Amen.
