““Very truly I tell you,” Jesus answered, “before Abraham was born, I am!””

‭‭John‬ ‭8‬:‭58‬ ‭NIV‬‬

This is who I am — Photo by Felicia Buitenwerf on Unsplash

Who was the greatest legend in your mind growing up?

Was your favorite legend growing up an athlete or a movie star? Or was it a real life hero from history? Sports figures were heroes in the Hammer side of my family. We would often talk about famous athletes and my brother and I would cover our bedroom walls with sports posters. My Dad would tell us of his legendary baseball card collection, that if not lost or stolen as the story went, would have gained our family a small fortune. These cards were of the early baseball legends.

In John 8, Jesus reveals that he is more than just a legend of the past, but in fact, He is the God, I AM. He is Yahweh. He did not say that he was before Abraham, but he did say that “before Abraham was born, I am!” He is speaking about his eternal existence, that he existed as God even before Abraham existed, but yet He is still the I AM even thousands of years later when he spoke this truth.

In the Old Testament through the lives of the Patriarchs and beyond we learn about God’s nature as Yahweh. In Moses and the burning bush we see that God uses a play on words to call himself “I AM, who I AM.” When Jesus comes to reveal himself to us in John 8, he taught us that he is the same God as the God of Abraham and Moses. He was, is, and will be the I AM. Jesus was claiming equality with God the Father and saying that he is God.

So when we read the stories of who Yahweh is we are really reading about the character and nature of Jesus.

Jesus is the Lord our Provider!
Jesus is the Lord our Healer!
Jesus is the Lord our Banner!
Jesus is the Lord our Peace!
Jesus is the Lord our Shepherd!
Jesus is the Lord our Righteousness!
Jesus is the Lord who is Here!

In Jesus, God came to us to fully be the Lord who is Here! The presence of Jesus brings the fullness of who God is to us. The Old Testament pictures and glimpses of who God is are fulfilled and manifested fully in the person of Christ.

Jesus, I worship you! You are the great I AM! You are Yahweh! You are the Lord who is here! In your presence is provision, healing, victory, peace, care, righteousness and above all the chance to be near you in a relationship. Thank you for revealing who you truly are in the person of Christ that I might be able to know you and love you. In your name I pray, amen.

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John Hammer's Newsletter

Day # 70 - Jesus is I AM