Today we take a look at a set of 7 in the Bible. Seven “I am” statements of Jesus in the Gospel of John, where Jesus gives a self description of himself or his ministry.

A possible 8th is when Jesus said: “Before Abraham was I AM “ (John 8:58) that got him into trouble. The Jews took it as him proclaiming to be God. When God spoke to Moses from the burning bush Moses asked God : Who shall I say sent me – what’s your name? God said, “I AM”. This makes sense when you think about it – There was nothing in existence to name God until He created it and He didn't need a name until then because there was only Him, He existed before everything else. He is the only Living God and so the statement of his sentient existence became His Name. The “ I am “ statements of Jesus reflect the name of God. Jesus chose to use the “I am” statements very carefully because they reflected his divinity. Today we focus most on “I am the Good Shepherd”.

In New Zealand, there are more sheep than people, so we know looking after sheep is a highly specialised job. Sheep are stupid and stubborn. It takes a good Shepherd years to learn his trade – and it is often passed on from father to son. 1st Century Israeli shepherds, knew their sheep individually and called them all by name. Maybe a smarter breed than New Zealand sheep. But like pets, if one was lost the Shepherd would go looking for it until they found it, King David when he was a shepherd boy, had to protect the flock from lions and bears. The Good Shepherd protects and provides for his flock, he wants the best for them.

Jesus said, “I am the gate for the sheep”. A 1st Century Jewish sheep pen had no roof, door or gate. It had high stone walls and a Good Shepherd often lay across the entrance to act as the gate. It was the Shepherd who regulated who came in and who went out. There was safety in the sheep pen, when the Shepherd acted as the gate. This is the picture of our souls. The thief (Satan) comes to steal, kill and destroy, if Jesus lives in us, He is guarding the gate and our soul is safe. We sheep are safe as long as we stay close to the shepherd.