I AM... THE BREAD Of LIFE I AM... THE LIGHT OF THE WORLD I AM...

THE GATE FOR THE SHEEP

In the first of seven self-descriptions, Jesus declares himself to In the second of seven self-descriptions, Jesus declares himself The third and fourth of the seven self-descriptions are within
be “the bread of life.” to be “the light of the world.” the same passage—one in which Jesus calls upon imagery
from the world of sheep and shepherds.
This statement is made in the context of a discussion of As with the first “I AM” statement, this one is an allusion to
manna—the bread from heaven during the time of Moses. ancient Israel wandering through the wilderness under the In this third “I AM” statement within the book of John, Jesus
leadership of Moses. declares himself to be “the gate for the sheep.”
In identifying himself as such, Jesus is drawing a parallel
between that bread and himself. At night they would follow a pillar of fire so they wouldn’t A sheep pen was an enclosure with just one entrance.
walk in darkness (Exodus 13:21).
But as miraculous as that first bread from heaven was, there is Its walls kept dangers out and sheep from wandering.
one striking difference between that bread and this new It is fitting that Jesus makes this statement in the temple
In the pasturing season described in this passage, these would
bread from heaven. courts during the Festival of Tabernacles, which
commemorates Israel’s sojourn in the desert with a display of have been temporary shelters in which the shepherd himself
The bread from heaven that the people of Israel ate in the would lie across the opening during the night, thus becoming
bright lights.
wilderness kept them alive while wandering. the gate for the sheep.
Jesus is a better and eternal light: whoever follows him will
Yet, eventually, they still died. Jesus is not merely bread from As the gate, he not only offers protection but allows them to
never walk in darkness!
heaven—amazing as that would be. He is bread of life. Jesus find pasture and “have life, and have it to the full.”
says believers will have endless life if they “eat him,” meaning, And Jesus is a light, not just for Israel—he is the light of the
John 10:1-10 NIV
believe in and follow him. world!

John 6:28-51 NIV John 8:12 NIV

I AM…THE GOOD SHEPHERD I AM…THE RESURRECTION AND THE LIFE I AM…The Way, the Truth, and the Life

The fourth of seven self-descriptions follows immediately at The fifth of seven self-descriptions occurs in one of the most The sixth and seventh of the seven self-descriptions, though in
the heels of the third and stays within the world of sheep and stirring passages in all of the Bible—the death and separate chapters, occur within the section of John called the
shepherds. resurrection of Jesus’ dear friend Lazarus. “Upper Room Discourse,” the last time Jesus would address
his disciples before his crucifixion.
In it, Jesus declares himself to be “the good shepherd.” In this passage, Jesus calls himself “the resurrection and the
life.” This passage is wrought with anxiety—Jesus has just told them
This metaphor is deeply rooted in Old Testament imagery, that he was leaving to go be with his Father.
which was full of good shepherd-kings,like David, who brought Before Jesus raises Lazarus, he tells his sister, Martha, what he
peace and prosperity, as well as evil shepherd-kings who will do. Jesus’ statement that they already know the way to get back
brought destruction (Ez. 34). to him provokes Thomas’ heart-wrenching outcry that, no,
She confesses that she believes in the future resurrection, they did not know the way.
The greatest Old Testament shepherd metaphor was, of where Lazarus will join all the righteous.
course, reserved for God himself (Psalm 23). Jesus’ statement—while beautiful and ringing with theological
Jesus gently corrects her with this simple pronouncement and truth—is primarily meant to address deep anxiety.
With this pronouncement, Jesus unequivocally announces the miracle that would follow.
that the salvation promised when God would finally do away “Do not let your heart be troubled” (verse 1) … “I am the way”
While resurrection truly is a future hope for all who are
with evil shepherds and establish himself as the ultimate (verse 6).
Good Shepherd was happening in the person of Jesus, and redeemed, Jesus proves that the future has invaded the
present in himself. John 14:1-6 NIV
that the victory of the shepherd-king would come in, giving up
his life for the sheep. John 11:1-44 NIV
John 10:11-18 NIV
I AM…The True Vine

Like the sixth self-description, the seventh and final one

occurs in the “Upper Room Discourse.”

In it, Jesus describes himself as “the true vine.”

Here, Jesus draws on many Old Testament references that

describe Israel as the vine (Ps. 80, Isa. 5, Jer. 2, Ez. 15).

Often, these Old Testament descriptions would be deeply sad

—the story of a vine rescued from Egypt and planted in
Canaan only to become wild and corrupt.

Jesus, free of corruption, is the true vine—the one who gives

life to all who remain in him.

He is what Israel failed to be.

This passage is not without admonition.

Just like a branch that loses contact to the vine is lifeless, a life
without connection to Jesus is fruitless.

John 15:1-8 NIV