What is the significance of Jesus' 'I AM' statements in John's Gospel?
In John’s Gospel, Jesus’ ‘I AM’ statements tie Him directly to the Old Testament name and person of Jehovah. They present Him as Jehovah God, showing continuity with the Old Testament economy. Examples include the door of the sheep, the Good Shepherd, the resurrection and the life, and the way, the truth, and the life.
Les teaches that the “I AM” statements in John’s Gospel are significant because it is so definite that Jesus referred to Himself as the I AM from the Old Testament economy. They tie Him to the person of Jehovah all the way back to the Old Testament. The context gives several examples: John 10:7, “I AM the door of the sheep”; John 10:11, “I AM the Good Shepherd,” who giveth His life for the sheep; John 11:25, “I AM the resurrection and the life”; and John 14:6, “I AM the way, the truth, and the life. No man cometh unto the Father, but by” Him. Les emphasizes that you just cannot escape it, and that He is the Jehovah God.