This Will Change How You Share JESUS | Investigating Jesus | David Nasser

Jesus says, "I am." I am.

Now, stop right there.

Before we go any further, before we inch past the first two words of it, just know that that in itself was enough to get the crowd looking up and going, "Now, who does this Jewish carpenter think he is?" The audacity that he would have to u- to usher the words that only God himself should usher.

We know that this, what I'm about to read to you, is actually one of the seven great I Am statements in scripture where in the New Testament, Jesus makes these claims about himself.

He says, "I am the way, the truth and the life.

I am the good shepherd.

I am the open door.

I am the light of the world.

I am the true vine." And in this moment, he's about to give one more I am, but before we go any further, just know that people heard him say the words I am, and they gasped.

They went [gasps].

Does he know those are words reserved for God and God alone? And Jesus does know.

And he's like, "You're actually getting this right." And then he goes further.

He says this.

He says, "I am the..." I am the.

T-H-E.

This is a definitive article, somebody taught me yesterday, all right? This is a, uh, for, as a, as a English teacher who came to me after the Saturday night service and said, "Hey, did you know that's a definitive article?" I go, "I do now." All right? [laughing] And so this is a, a moment where Jesus gives i- in an indefinite world, a definitive article.

He says, "I am the..." And if you're taking notes, just know that it's the the that gets everybody's sweater snagged.When it comes to the theology discussion of this moment.

Nobody really cares if Jesus comes on the scene and says, "I am a. I am a bread." Nobody sees that as controversial if Jesus says, "Hey, there's all kinds of stuff out there that can satisfy you.

There's all kinds of spiritual calories out there that you can make a fine little spiritual sandwich with.

I mean, there's pumpernickel, and then there's rye, and then there's sourdough, and then, you know, for our Jewish friends, there's unleavened bread, and then over here there's this, and..." Eh, eh, no, Jesus comes on the scene and he says, "I'm not, I'm not a, I am the.