I Am....(continued)

Continuing from yesterday, I realize after the day I had today that I really need to study this and really learn to know God. In John 6, the disciples are sailing towards Capernaum. A storm breaks out, and the sailing gets rough. Three or four miles in they see Jesus walking towards them on the water. They think He's a ghost, but He calls out, "I am here! Don't be afraid." (v.20) This "I am" statement is one of comfort. Today He still tells us not to be afraid because He is with us. That simple statement is also very important. I mean, the first step to believing in Him would be knowing that He is with us!

A little further in the chapter, the crowd asked Him to show them a miraculous sign to prove He was from God. Jesus tells them that God is giving them the bread of heaven. "I am the bread of life. No one who comes to me will ever be hungry again. Those who believe in me will never thirst." (v.35) He is the bread that keeps us alive, not just physically, but spiritually. We go through life searching for the thing that will give us fulfillment. Jesus is the fulfillment; the life that we are seeking.  "I live by the power of the living Father who sent me; in the same way, those who partake of me will live because of me. I am the true bread from heaven. Anyone who eats this bread will live forever and not die as your ancestors did, even though they ate the manna." (v.57-58)

Interestingly, I also happened to be reading from Exodus 34: "Then the LORD came down in a pillar of cloud and called out His own name, "The Lord" as Moses stood there in His presence. He passed in front of Moses and said, 'I Am the LORD, I Am the Lord, the merciful and gracious God. I Am slow to anger and rich in unfailing love and faithfulness." (v.6) I read that aloud when I came across it to give it extra meaning...I had a very rough day, and I needed the reminder of who God is, and who His Son is. So maybe this exercise in "I Am" statements is a bit repetitive, but it is helping me in my learning to know God, and I hope this helps somebody who reads this blog. More to come!