I AM
In Exodus 3:14, God reveals himself to Moses as 'I AM WHO I AM'. In the New Testament John 8:58, when Jesus was asked if he was greater than Abraham, He answered, "even as Abraham was I AM".
This reply could invoke two key ideas in the minds of a Christian, 1) Jesus existed before Abraham in a premortal state and 2) Jesus was the god of the Old Testament. Although Jesus does not refer to nor describes himself directly as god (as far as I have read) in scriptures, the great 'I Am' statements seems to be metaphorical in nature without direct referencing to being divine. Despite one's interpretation, it was a bold and unthinkable declaration to align himself with the name of deity in front of group of Israelites who gathered to hear him. For they understood what the term "I Am" meant (i.e. it being the name of God).
The Hebrew name 'I AM' is often translated as 'Yahweh' or the 'LORD'. It signifies God's self-existence and his covenant with his people of Israel.
Interestingly, this is not the first time Jesus says 'I AM'. In the Gospel of John, he declares it on several occasions in his teachings with power and conviction. Here, the difference is that he is now referring directly to himself in terms of his divine role and purpose for all humanity. He is clearly introducing those roles with the god-identity clause 'I AM' suggesting a god-like status.
In each of the 'I AM" statements in John below, a range of key words (i.e. bread, light, door, shepherd, resurrection, life, way, truth and vine) all have their roots and origins in ancient Hebrew theology. They tell us something about the purpose of god's dealings and roles with his people of Israel in old and new testament times. This repetitive use of divine attribution appears to be more than describing Jesus' station as a man but as a god.
1. I Am the bread of life John 6:35
2. I Am the light of the world John 8:12
3. I Am the door John 10:9
4. I Am the good shepherd John 10:11
5. I Am the resurrection and the life John 11:25
6. I Am the way, the truth, and the life John 14:6
7. I Am the vine John 15:5
For me, my conclusion is based on what I read from scripture as the primary source of information. It seems to me that in every occurrence where Jesus says 'I AM' is no random or coincidental utterance on his part but intentional and deliberate with absolutism and authority.
