My BLOG is going to be scattered this month i am including the link to the original document THE I AM STATEMENTS OF JESUS AND THE NAMES OF GOD
INTRODUCTION
Well Mes Amies it is that time of the month again and une bonne année à vous tous may all your desires under God come through this year. I am still here in the land of great `wutlissness` Canada holed up in my winter chateau in Québec it is warm for that I am eternally grateful. I trust you had a good holidays and if not, not to worry you are still alive there is always next year move along and stop pouting. Remember the man and the banana peel story that I shared with you.
Up here in Quebec a lady saw me at the Bus Shelter (my Chateau) a number of times and said to me, why don't you just try and access the social benefits available. This is after i had tried on a number of occasion to get a simple job (even packing boxes). I told her the Canadian government is not willing that any money should pass through my hands that way they would not be able to destroy me. Just in case people were talking and in order to get some transportation money to leave Québec I decided that I would test my theory. In addition, to the fact that I speak out of knowledge and not theory. I also believe that everyone deserves a chance. Suffice it to say I went back to the same office from which they ran me and said they could not give me any employment benefits (yes, I am still in Canada) and sent me to another nebulous organization that I contacted which has not replied to date.
I thought I could do the whole process online since I had already been to the office and a file was created. The lady at Reception said I had to fill out the forms and she gave me the ones in French even though we have had previous interactions and she knew I was predominantly an English speaker. I said what the heck let's go for it!! I needed the practise anyway. So with the help of Google translate I completed the forms. Suffice it to say when I contacted the office one week after the application; the gentleman advised that I needed:
- Proof of Citizenship
- Lease document for my accomodation
- My last Twelve Month statement of expenditures
I said thank you for your assistance have a good day and went on my way. I will not waste my time and tell you the laws governing Social Assistance in the country and since I was not requesting a bank loan I moved along.
The next occasion I returned to the office all office doors were closed tight. I suppose they were told by the Nazis and Mafias in Mississauga that when black people did not get the little Social Assistance they came to the office and cried and cried and pleaded and pleaded and begged. `Where I am from there is a certain way to giving alms the Bible says you are not to make your right hand knows what your left hand is doing. In the Church i was a member of this was a very sensitive area and was treated thus. I am now teaching scriptural principles because I notice that everything is now placed on Social Media. The person in charge of our Storehouse Ministry (that is what it was called) Sis Gertrude McKenzie and the Pastor were the only two persons who knew who got assistance and how much and what. The only two persons for the nine years I was a part of the Executive. All I was told was when I needed to draw a cheque. That was one of our best ran Ministries because we were intentional that we wanted to be like the church of Acts and we were not going to leave anybody behind. I was the person that handled the Loans and I have never, I said never refused anyone plus Pastor Maxwell would not allow it. Those people who I lent money to had no hopes of getting a loan anywhere That is why we tried to set up a Credit Union. People I have seeds on the ground waiting to bring forth an harvest there are certain things not even the great big North America is going to make me do. God a God any wey (any where)!!
In addition, persons in Ontario have already told me that the Charter of Rights I got as a citizens is not worth the paper it is written on and continue to demonstrate that it is so. On a constant basis I am being reminded of how black I am. Unfortunately, I never realized that this was so prior to coming to Canada. In the past I was judged based on my ability to perform and the content of my character not the colour of my skin.
I went about my business eventually people started appearing then office doors opened and people like Phillipe (the gentleman that dealt with me) started speaking loudly. I still saw no one. Eventually they started messing with my session on the computer and earlier they had sent a particularly nasty lady to inform me that I could not listen to the news while I worked. Since my aim is to keep human interactions in Canada at a minimum level I left. I want no conflict with anyone especially over money I have not worked for. Why do I go to that office? That is how it is in Canada people, at the Human Services office you have facilities to assist with employment e.g. printing, photocopying, telephone services, computing. In fact this is a serious business in Canada the business of looking for a job. You can be doing this for years while you are on Social Assistance. You have quite a few organizations that offer this type of services free. Then you have those Non-Governmental Organizations (NGO) writing reports on an annual basis about the marginalization of the Immigrants. After I read several over a number of years I realized that it was all a game no one was interested in changing the status quo. So I do not waste my time and read these reports anymore neither do I read the immigrant`s magazines about the one person who had taken up to fifteen years to have a breakthrough in the country. One cannot help the way people make their living everybody hav feh eat a food especially in the fareign (have to get some money especially in the foreign).`
In contrast, in the United states I found that I was more likely to actually get a job (if my name was not Raphleta Taylor) the first time I walked into one of these employment offices in the states which led me to ask why the welfare list was growing because everywhere I went in the US employers were actually seeking persons to work. The problems in the first world are complex we will leave them alone. People who would rather live off the government than work and people who don`t know what sex they are. These problems are too high for us!
We continue to thank God for the New Year and for the things that have already been written that are already accomplished in Jesus`name.
REFLECTIONS
This being the beginning of the year I thought it was a good time for us to reestablish some basic and fundamental principles of who we are in Christ. If you are a Raphleta you have people challenging some basic and fundamental principles of the Gospel on a daily basis. Not to worry people this strategy is as old as the garden of Eden. Did God say? It is for us Christians to realize that the devil is still using the same weapons only the vessels change. Remember Satan challenged his Creator, you are soup for him. So I have written down this topic for a number of months. I think this is the most auspicious time for it.
Regarding the names of God I was castigated when I came to North America for speaking big words when I am praying and all I was doing was just using simple Hebrew and Greek words that are all over the Bible. One of the first things we were given in the Charismatic Movement is a sheet with sixteen names of God. I had this sheet beside my mirror and every morning for two years while I was looking at myself and confessing Raphleta, you are beautiful, you re fantastic. I love you so much you are all that and more. I was also saying:
Jehovah Elohim - The Creator
Jehovah Adonai - Lord
I know girl you are so fantastic!
Jehovah Tsidkenu - My Righteousness
Jehovah M'kaddesh - My Sanctifier
You are the apple of His eyes!!
Jehovah Rohi - My Shepherd
Jehovah Jireh - My Provider
You are more than a conqueror!!
El Shaddai - Many Breasted one
You are an overcomer!!
Father clean up the atmosphere where I am going!
And I could go on! By the way I just gave you a study technique! When I came to Canada the people who are trying to kill me said I am narcissistic because they used to watch me through their hidden cameras and their spies doing my confessions on a daily basis in the mornings. However, they have fully learnt the scriptural principle, Jesus when asked what is necessary to inherit eternal life answered: `Love the Lord thy God...and second to this is love thy neighbour as you love yourself. St. Luke 10 verses 25 - 27. They have finally realized that the reason they want to destroy me is because they do not love themselves. If you love yourself you will not want to destroy the image of God in the other person. Now I hear people teaching the principle in their churches. People are also realizing that it is not about big words (there are those that said that I used a lot of big words while praying) it is about putting a little effort into learning the things of God. Since I have no intention of going down to your level I have decided if you are reading my Blog then you have to come up hither. Hence, the names of God.
CRITICAL DEFINITIONS
I am (there goes those words again) realizing that I was not even aware of what I was doing when I was giving my Blog a title. I just picked it out of the air because I love the story of Moses in the Bible. We begin by explaining the I AM WHO I AM GOD.
God said to Moses, I AM WHO I AM. This is what you are to say to the Israelites: `I AM has sent me to you.`Exodus 3 verse 14.
The phrase translated `I am who I am `in Hebrew is ehyeh asher ehyeh. The word ehyeh is the first person common singular of the verb to be. It would be used in any number of normal situations. Ì am watching the sheep,`Ì am walking on the road, `or Ì am his father.`However, when used as a stand-alone description, I AM is the ultimate statement of self-sufficiency, self-existence, and immediate presence. God's existence is not contingent upon anyone else. His plans are not contingent upon any circumstances. He promises that He will be what He will be, that is he will be the eternally constant God. He stands, ever-present and unchangeable, completely sufficient in Himself to do what He wills to do and to accomplish what He wills to accomplish. Sis. Gertrude McKenzie always prayed `He is singular in all His ways.
When God identified Himself as I AM WHO I AM, He stated that, no matter when or where, He is there.It is similar to the New Testament expression in Revelation 1 verse 8, I am the Alpha and the Omega,`says the Lord God, `who is, and who was, and who is to come, the Almighty.`This is true of Him for all time, but it would have been especially appropriate for a message in Moses` day to a people in slavery and who could see no way out.I AM was promising to free them, and they could count on Him!
God is the only One who can accurately describe Himself as Ì AM`. Jesus claimed the title I AM for Himself in St. John 8 verse 58. For the rest of us, Ì am`is a false claim to self-sufficiency. We are not eternally constant or ever-present. Our only hope is to abandon claims of our own sovereignty and sufficiency and cast ourselves upon the mercy of I AM.
SECTION I
THE SEVEN Ì AM`STATEMENTS OF JESUS
The Gospel of John is the only Gospel that contains all seven of Jesus`Ì AM`statements, and each one is significant and have special meaning.
Bread is considered a staple food i.e. a basic dietary item. One can survive a long time on only bread and water. Bread is such a basic food item that it becomes synonymous for food in general. Bread also plays an integral part of the Jewish Passover meal. Finally, when the Jews were wandering in the desert for forty years, God rained down, `bread from heaven`, to sustain the nation Exodus 16 verse 4.
Just after Jesus fed the five thousand, which if you counted the spouses and children, could have been fifteen thousand or more, they followed him, but not for the right reason, so He told them `You are seeking me, not because you saw signs, but because you ate your fill of the loaves` St. John 6 verse 26. They only wanted more bread for their stomach, so Jesus said, `Do not work for the food that perishes, but for the food that endures to eternal life, which the son of man will give to you. For on Him God the Father has set the seal` St. John 6 verse 27. In other words they were so enthralled with the food, they were missing out on the fact that their Messiah had come. So the Jews asked Jesus for a sign that He was sent from God (obviously the miraculous feeding and the walking across the water weren't enough). They told Jesus that God gave them Manna during the desert wandering. Jesus responds by telling them they need to ask for the true bread from heaven that gives life. When they ask Jesus for this bread, Jesus startles them by saying, Ì am the bread of life; whoever comes to me shall not hunger, and whoever believes in me shall never thirst.`
This is a phenomenal statement!! First, by equating Himself with bread , Jesus is saying He is essential for life. Second, the life Jesus is referring to is not physical life, but eternal life. Jesus is trying to get the Jews`thinking off of the physical realm and into the Spiritual realm. He is contrasting what He brings as their Messiah with the bread He miraculously created the day before. That was physical bread that perishes. He is spiritual bread that brings eternal life. Third, and very important, Jesus is making another claim to deity. This statement is the first of the Ì AM`statements in John's Gospel. The phrase Ì AM`is the covenant name of God revealed to Moses at the burning bush Exodus 3 verse 14. The phrase speaks of self-sufficient existence (or what theologians refer to as àseity`), which is an attribute only God possesses. It is also a phrase which the Jews who were listening would have automatically understood as a claim to deity.
Fourth, notice the words `come`and `believe`. This is an invitation for those listening to place their faith in Jesus as the Messiah and Son of God. This invitation to come is found throughout John`s Gospel. Coming to Jesus involves making a choice to forsake the world and follow Him. Believing in Jesus means placing our faith in Him that He is who He says he is, that He will do what He says He will do, and that He is the only one who can.
Fifth, there are the words hunger and thirst. Again, it must be noted that Jesus isn't talking about alleviating physical hunger and thirst. The key is found in another statement Jesus made, back in His Sermon on the Mount. In St. Matthew 5 verse 6, Jesus says Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they shall be satisfied `When Jesus says those who come to Him will never thirst, He is saying He will satisfy our hunger and thirst to be made righteous in the sight of God..
There are two types of light in the world We can perceive one or both or neither! When we are born into this world, we perceive physical light, and by it we learn of our Creator`s handiwork in the things we see. However, although that light is good, there is another light, a light so important had to come in order to both declare and impart it to men. St John 8 verse 12 records, `when Jesus spoke again to the people, He said, Ì am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness but have the light of life.`The allegory used by the Lord in this verse speaks of the light of His truth, the light of His word, the light of eternal life. Those who perceive the true light will never again walk in spiritual darkness.
We take a candle into a room to dispel the darkness. Likewise, the light of Jesus Christ has to be taken into the darkness of sin that engulfs the hearts and lives of those who are not following Him. That's the condition behind having this light - that we follow Him. If we do not follow Him, we will not have this light, this truth, this eternal life.
Following Jesus is the condition of two promises in St. John 8 verse 12. First His followers will never walk in darkness, which is reference to the assurance of salvation we enjoy. As true followers of the light, we will never follow the ways of sin, never live in a state of continually sinning (I John 1 verses 5 - 7. Rather, we repent of our sin in order to stay close to the light. The second promise is that we will reflect the light of life . Just as He came as the light of the world, He commands us to be lights too. In St. Matthew 5 verses 14 - 16 we see Believers depicted as the light of the world. Just as the moon has no light of its own, reflecting the light of the sun, so are believers to reflect the light of Christ so that all can see it in us. The light is evident to others by the good deeds we do in faith and through the power of the Holy Spirit. The emphasis here is maintaining a credible and obvious witness in the world, a witness that shows us to be faithful, God-honoring, trustworthy, sincere, earnest and honest in all that we do. Also, we should always be ready to give an account of the hope that we have (I Peter 3 verse 15), for the Gospel light we have is not to be covered, but made obvious for all to see and benefit from, that they, too, may leave the darkness and come into the light.
These Ì am`proclamations of Jesus point to His unique, divine identity and purpose. In this Ì am`statement, Jesus colorfully points out for us the exclusive nature of salvation by saying that He is `the door`, not à door`. Furthermore, Jesus is not only our Shepherd who leads us into the `sheepfold`, but He is the only door by which we may enter and be saved. (St. John 10 verse 9). Jesus is the only means we have of receiving eternal life (St. John 3 verse 16). There is no other way. A lot of people are saying a lot of things do not be deceived there is no other way.
To get a clear picture of Jesus`meaning in this statement, it is helpful to understand a little of that ancient culture, especially of sheep and shepherding. Of all domesticated animals, sheep are the most helpless. Sheep will spend their entire day grazing, wandering from place to place, never looking up. As a result, they often become lost. However, sheep has no `homing instinct`as other animals do. They are totally incapable of finding their way to their sheepfold even when it is in plain sight. By nature, sheep are followers. If the lead sheep steps off a cliff, the others will follow.
In addition, sheep are easily susceptible to injuries and are utterly helpless against predators. If a wolf enters the pen, they won't defend themselves. They won't try to run away or spread out. Instead they huddle together and are easily slaughtered. If sheep fall into moving water, they will drown. However, sheep do fear moving water and will not drink from any stream or lake unless the water is perfectly still. This is why David in the 23rd Psalm tells us of the shepherd who `makes us to lie down in green pastures, he leads us beside the still waters...though we walk through the valley… we will fear no evil. For you the Shepherd are with us`.
Sheep are totally dependent upon the shepherd who tends them with care and compassion. Shepherds were the providers, guides, protectors and constant companions of the sheep. So close was the bond between shepherd and sheep that to this day Middle Eastern shepherds can divide flocks that have mingled at a well or during the night simply by calling their sheep, who know and follow their shepherd's voice. Shepherds were inseparable from their flocks. The shepherd would lead the sheep to safe places to graze and make them lie down for several hours in a shady place. Then, as night fell, the shepherd would lead the sheep to the protection of a sheepfold.
There were two kinds of sheepfolds or pens. One kind was a public sheepfold found in the cities and villages. It would be large enough to hold several flocks of sheep. This sheep pen would be in the care of a porter or doorkeeper, whose duty it was to guard the door to the sheep pen during the night and to admit the shepherds in the morning. The shepherds would call their sheep, each of which knew its own shepherd's voice, and would lead them out to pasture.
The second kind of sheep pen was in the countryside, where the shepherds would keep their flocks in good weather. This type of shep pen was nothing more than a rough circle of rocks piled into a wall with a small open space to enter. Through it the shepherd would drive the sheep at nightfall. Since there was no gate to close - just an opening- the shepherd would keep the sheep in and wild animals out by lying across the opening. He would sleep there, in this case literally becoming the door to the sheep.
In this context Jesus is telling us that He is not only the shepherd of the sheep, but also the door of the sheep. In doing so, He is vividly contrasting Himself with that of the religious leaders of His time whom he describes as ``thieves and robbers`(St. John 10 verse 8). When Jesus says, Ì am the door`. He is reiterating the fact that only through Him is salvation possible. This far removed from the ecumenical teachings popular in today's liberal religious circles.Jesus makes it clear that any religious leader who offers salvation other than the teachings of Christ is a `thief`and a `robber`.
One who believes the gospel (Hebrews 11 verse 6) and repents of sin (St. Luke 13 verse 3) is assured of being in `the fold`and of having entered `the door`. As followers of Christ, Jesus is both our Shepherd and the door to the sheepfold who provides for all our needs. Knowing that the world is full of predators whose sole intent is to destroy us (I Peter 5 verse 8), we are always under His protection. More importantly, we are fully confident that `when the Chief Shepherd appears, we will receive the crown of glory that does not fade away (I Peter 5 verse 4).
Immediately, after declaring that He is `the door`in St. John 10 verse 7, here Jesus declares Ì am the good shepherd`. He describes Himself as not only `the shepherd`, but the `good shepherd`. What does this mean?
It should be understood that Jesus is `the`good shepherd, not simply à` good shepherd, as others may be, but he is unique in character (Psalm 23, Zechariah 13 verse 7, Hebrews 13 verse 20, I Peter 2 verse 25, I Peter 5 verse 4). The Greek word kalos translated `good` describes that which is noble, wholesome, good, and beautiful, in contrast with that which is wicked, mean, foul and unlovely. It signifies not only that which is good inwardly - character- but also that which is attractive outwardly. It is an innate goodness.. Therefore, in using the phrase `the good shepherd`,`Jesus is referencing His inherent goodness, His righteousness, and His beauty. As shepherd of the sheep, He is the one who protects, guides, and nurtures His flock.
Here, in St. John 10 verse 12, the hireling is contrasted with the true or faithful shepherd who willingly gives up his life for the sheep. He who is a `hireling`works for wages, which are his main consideration. His concern is not for the sheep but for himself. Interestingly enough, the shepherds of ancient times were not usually the owners of the flock. Nevertheless, they were expected to exercise the same care and concern the owners would. This was the characteristic of a true shepherd. However, some of the hirelings thought only of themselves. As a result, when a wolf appeared the most common threat to sheep in that day- the hireling abandoned the flock and fled, leaving the sheep to be scattered or killed (St. John 10 verses 12 - 13).
As previously discussed, sheep are utterly defenseless and totally dependent upon the shepherd. Sheep are always subject to danger and must always be under the watchful eye of the shepherd as they graze. Rushing walls of water down the valleys from sudden heavy rainfalls may sweep them away, robbers may steal them, and wolves may attack the flock. David tells how he killed a lion and a bear while defending his father's flock as a shepherd boy (I Samuel 17 verse 36). Driving snow in the winter, blinding dust and burning sands in summer, long lonely hours each day, all these the shepherd patiently endures for the welfare of the flock. In fact, shepherds were frequently subjected to grave danger, sometimes even giving their lives to protect their sheep.
Likewise, Jesus gave His life on the cross as `The Good Shepherd`for his own. He who would save others, though He had the power, did not choose to save Himself. `The Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give His life a ransom for many` (St. Matthew 20 verse 28). Through His willing sacrifice the Lord made salvation possible for all who come to Him in faith. In proclaiming that He is the good shepherd, Jesus speaks of `laying down`His life for His sheep (St. John 10 verses 15, 17-18).
Jesus`death was divinely appointed. It is only through Him that we receive salvation. Ì am the good shepherd; and I know my sheep, and am known by my own`(St. John 10 verse 14). Furthermore, Jesus makes it clear that it wasn`t just for the Jews that He laid down his life, but also for the other sheep`I have which are not of this fold; them also I must bring, and they will hear my voice; and there will be one flock and one shepherd `(St. John 10 verse 16). The òther sheep`clearly refers to the Gentiles. As a result, Jesus is the Good Shepherd over all, both Jews and Gentiles, who come to believe upon him (St. John 3 verse 16).
Lazarus was dead. Earlier, Jesus had heard that His good friend was sick, but instead of going to visit Lazarus, Jesus `stayed where He was for days`(St. John 11 verse 6). He explained to His puzzled disciples that the sickness was `for God's glory, that God`s Son may be glorified through it`` (verse 4). After Lazarus died, Jesus began a journey to Bethany, Lazarus`s home. Significantly, when Jesus informed His disciples that Lazarus was dead, He simply said His friend was àsleep, but I am going there to wake him up`(St. John 11 verse 11).
Outside Bethany, Lazarus`s sister Martha went out to meet Jesus. Ìf you had been here,`she said, `my brother would not have died. `Such was her faith in Jesus`power to heal. Jesus replied by assuring Martha that her brother would rise again. Martha responded again in faith, Ì know he will rise again in the resurrection at the last day.`At this point , Jesus makes His Fifth Ì am`Statement in John's gospel., Ì am the resurrection and the life,` and He follows it with a call to faith. He who believes in me will live even though he dies, (St. John 11 verses 21 - 24).
When Jesus said, Ì am the resurrection and the life,`He was claiming to be the source of both. There is no resurrection apart from Christ, and there is no eternal life apart from Christ. Beyond that, Jesus was also making a statement concerning His divine nature. He does more than give life; He is life, and therefore death has no ultimate power over him. Jesus confers this spiritual life on those who believe in Him, so that they share His triumph over death (I John 5 verses 11 - 12). Believers in Jesus Christ will experience resurrection because, having the life Jesus gives, it is impossible for death to defeat them (I Corinthians 15 verses 53 - 57).
The grieving Martha wished that Jesus had arrived earlier so he could have healed her brother. And when Jesus spoke of resurrection, Martha assumed he was speaking of `the resurrection of the last day.`In both statements, Martha reveals that she considered time an insurmountable obstacle. In effect, Martha was saying, Ìt`s too late to help Lazarus ( the time is past), so now we must wait (allow more time).
Jesus shows that neither death nor time is an obstacle to him. Outside the tomb, `Jesus called in a loud voice, `Lazarus come forth!`The dead man came out`( St. John 11 verse 43). It's one thing to `claim`to be the resurrection and the life, but Jesus proved it by raising Lazarus, who was four days dead. Truly, with Christ, death is but `sleep`(I Thessalonians 4 verse 13). Death has no dominion over Him who is Life itself, nor does death have dominion over those who are in Him ( I Corinthians 15 verses 54 - 55). Because He lives, we live. Because He is Life, we have life eternally.
Jesus`statement that He is the resurrection and life provides a godly perspective on several spiritual matters. Martha believed that the resurrection is an event; Jesus showed her (and us) that the resurrection is a Person. Martha`s knowledge of eternal life was an abstract idea; Jesus proved that knowledge of eternal life is a personal relationship. Martha thought victory was over death was a future expectation; Jesus corrects her, showing that victory is a present reality.
After presenting Himself as the resurrection and the life, Jesus asks Martha an all-important question: `Do you believe this`(St. John 11 verse 26). May Martha`s answer be ours as well: `Yes, Lord, I believe that you are the Christ, the Son of God who was to come into the world`(verse 27).
On the last night before His betrayal and death, Jesus was preparing His disciples for the days ahead. For over three years, these men had been following Jesus and learning from His teaching and example. They had placed their hopes in Him as the Messiah, the promised deliverer, yet they still didn't understand how He was going to accomplish that deliverance. After the Last Supper, Jesus began speaking about His departure, which led to questions from His disciples.
In St. John 13 verse 33 Jesus said, `My children, I will be with you only a little longer. You will look for me, and just as I told the jews, so I tell you now. Where I am going, you cannot come.`This prompted Peter to ask where He was going (verse 36). Peter and the others did not understand that Jesus was speaking of His death and ascension to heaven. Jesus`response was, `Where I am going, you cannot follow now, but you will follow later.`Peter was still misunderstanding and declared that he would follow Jesus anywhere and even lay down His life if necessary. As Jesus patiently continued to teach His disciples, He began speaking more plainly about heaven, describing the place He was going to prepare for them (St. John 14 verses 2 - 3). Then Jesus said, `You know the way to the place where I am going`(verse 4). Speaking for the others, Thomas said they did not know where He was going, so how could they know how to follow Him there? It was in answer to this question that Jesus uttered one of the seven famous Ì am` statements.
I AM - In the Greek language, Ì am`is a very intense way of referring to oneself. In St. Matthew 22 verse 32 Jesus quotes Exodus 3 verse 6, where God uses the same intensive form to say, Ì am the God of Abraham, and the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob. In St. John 8 verse 58, Jesus said, `Truly, truly I say unto you, before Abraham was, I am.`The Jews clearly understood Jesus to be calling Himself God because they took up stones to stone him for committing blasphemy in equating Himself with God. In St. Matthew 28 verse 20, as Jesus gave the Great Commission, He gave it emphasis by saying, Ì am with you always, to the end of the age.`When the soldiers came seeking Jesus in the garden the night before His crucifixion, He told them, Ì am He`,`and His words were so powerful that the soldiers fell to the ground (St. John 18 verse 4 - 6. These words reflect the very name of God in Hebrew, Yahweh, which means `to be`or `the self-existing one.`It is the name of power and authority, and Jesus claimed it as His own.
THE WAY - Jesus used the definite article to distinguish Himself as `the only way`. A way is a path or route, and the disciples had expressed their confusion about where He was going and how they could follow. As He had told them from the beginning, Jesus was again telling them (and us) `follow me`. There is no other path to heaven, no other way to the Father.Peter reiterated this same truth years later to the rulers in Jerusalem, saying about Jesus, `Salvation is found in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given to men by which we must be saved`(Acts 4 verse 12). The exclusive nature of the only path to salvation is expressed in the words ``I am the way.
THE TRUTH - Again Jesus used the definitive article to emphasize Himself as `the only truth`Psalm 119 verse 142 says, `Your law is the truth.`In the Sermon on the Mount, Jesus reminded His listeners of several points of the law, then said, `But I say unto you…`(St. Matthew 5 verse 22, 28, 32, 34, 39, 44), thereby equating Himself with the Law of God as the authoritative standard of righteousness. In fact, Jesus said that He came to fulfill the Law and the prophets (St. Matthew 5 verse 17). Jesus, as the incarnate Word of God (St. John 1 verse 1) is the source of all truth.
THE LIFE - Jesus had just been telling His disciples about His impending death, and now He was claiming to be the source of all life.In St. John 10 verses 17 - 18, Jesus declared that He was going to lay down His life for His sheep, and then take it back again. He spoke of His authority over life and death as being granted to Him by the Father. In St. John 14 verse 19, He gave the promise that `because I live, you also will live.`The deliverance He was about to provide was not a political or social deliverance (which most of the Jews were seeking),but a true deliverance from a life of bondage to sin and death to a life of freedom in eternity.
In these words Jesus was again declaring Himself the great Ì am`, the only path to heaven, the only true measure of righteousness, and the source of both physical and spiritual life. He was staking His claim as the very God of creation, the Lord who blessed Abraham, and the Holy One who inhabits eternity. He did this so the disciples would be able to face the dark days ahead and carry on the mission of declaring the Gospel to the world. Of course, we know from Scripture that they still didn't understand, and it took several visits from their risen Lord to shake them out of their disbelief. Once they understood the truth of His words, they became changed people, and the world has never been the same.
How do we follow Him today? The same way the disciples did long ago. They heard the words of Jesus and believed them. They took His words and obeyed them. They confessed their sins to Jesus as their Lord and God. They believed that He died to take the punishment of their sins and rose from the dead to give them new life. They followed His example and command to tell others the truth about sin, righteousness, and judgment. When we follow Him in `the way`, we can be assured of following Him all the way to heaven.
Jesus said, Ì am the True Vine`to closest friends gathered around him. It was only a short time before Judas would betray Him; in fact, Judas had already left to do his infamous deed (St. John 13 verse 30). Jesus was preparing the eleven men left for His pending crucifixion, His resurrection, and His subsequent departure for heaven. He had just told them that He would be leaving them (St. John 14 verse 2). Knowing how disturbed they would feel, He gave them this lovely metaphor of the True Vine as one of His encouragements.
Jesus wanted His friends, not only those eleven, but those of all time, to know that He was not going to desert them, even though they would no longer enjoy His physical presence. His living energy-His spiritual reality-would continue to nourish and sustain them just as the roots and trunk of a grape vine produce the energy that nourishes and sustains its branches while they develop their fruit. Jesus wanted us to know that, even though we cannot see Him, we are as closely connected to Him as the branches of a vine are connected to its stem. Our desire to know and love him and the energy to serve Him will keep flowing into and through us as long as we àbide`in Him.
Jesus went on to remove any misunderstanding about what He meant (St. John 15 verse 4). He said that no branch can even live, let alone produce leaves and fruit, by itself. Cut off from the trunk, a branch is dead. Just as a vine`s branches rely on being connected to the trunk from which they receive their energy to bear fruit, Jesus`disciples depend on being connected to Him for their spiritual life and the ability to serve Him effectively. The fruit we produce is that of the Holy Spirit-love, joy, peace, patience, goodness, kindness, gentleness, faithfulness, and self-control (Galatians 5 verses 22 - 23). Our source of life and spiritual fruit is not in ourselves; it is outside us, in Christ Jesus. We can live, live rightly, and serve Him effectively only if we are rightly connected to Him in a faith/love relationship.
Then Jesus underscored His point even more strongly by saying, Àpart from me you can do nothing`(St. John 15 verse 5). This illustration of the vine and branches is no thoughtless generality or careless simile. It is absolute, stark reality. No believer can achieve anything of spiritual value independently of Christ Jesus. He also reminds us that there are some who are ìn`Him who bear no fruit. But these are not, as some would suppose, true branches that just happen to be fruitless. All true branches bear fruit. Just as we know a healthy, living tree by the good fruit it produces, so do we recognize fruitless branches as having no connection to the True Vine.This is why Jesus tells us, `By their fruit you will know them`( St. Matthew 7 verses 16 - 20). Those who do not produce good fruit are cut away and burned. The reference here is to apostates, those who profess to know Christ but whose relationship to Him is insincere. He neither called them nor elected them nor saved them nor sustains them. Eventually, the fruitless branches are identified as not belonging to the vine and are removed for the sake of truth and the benefit of the other branches.
We depend on Jesus for everything, starting with our very life - `For in Him we live and move and have our being`(Acts 17 verse 28) - and including our reconciliation with God through Him (Romans 5 verse 10). No one can serve God effectively until he is connected with Jesus Christ by faith. Jesus is our only connection with the God who gave life and who produces in us a fruitful life of righteousness and service.
SECTION II
THE DIFFERENT NAMES OF GOD AND THEIR MEANINGS
As promised I advised that i would also be sharing some of the names of God and their meanings with you. These are the fundamental names of God that you use in your daily prayers and devotions without even realizing. If this titillates your appetite then you can do further research on the Internet. Remember the journey of a thousand miles begins with the first step. Slowly does it you cannot be a Raphleta overnight, I have been going at this for a number of years if you woke me up in the dead of night and ask me what each name meant I can tell you without missing a beat. You have to be deliberate about Kingdom business.
YHWH / YAHWEH / JEHOVAH [yah-way / ji-hoh-veh]: “LORD” (Deut. 6 verse 4; Daniel 9 verse 14) – strictly speaking, the only proper name for God. Translated in English Bibles “LORD” (all capitals) to distinguish it from Adonai, “Lord.” The revelation of the name is given to Moses “I Am who I Am” (Exodus 3:14). This name specifies an immediacy, a presence. Yahweh is present, accessible, near to those who call on Him for deliverance (Psalm 107:13), forgiveness (Psalm 25:11) and guidance (Psalm 31:3).
ELOHIM [el-oh-heem]: God “Creator, Mighty and Strong” (Genesis 17:7; Jeremiah 31:33) – the plural form of Eloah, which accommodates the doctrine of the Trinity. From the Bible’s first sentence, the superlative nature of God’s power is evident as God (Elohim) speaks the world into existence (Genesis 1:1).
EL SHADDAI [el-shah-dahy]: “God Almighty,” “The Mighty One of Jacob” (Genesis 49:24; Psalm 132:2, 5) – speaks to God’s ultimate power over all.
ADONAI [ˌædɒˈnaɪ; ah-daw-nahy]: “Lord” (Genesis 15:2; Judges 6:15) – used in place of YHWH, which was thought by the Jews to be too sacred to be uttered by sinful men. In the Old Testament, YHWH is more often used in God’s dealings with His people, while Adonai is used more when He deals with the Gentiles.
JEHOVAH-JIREH [ji-hoh-veh-ji-reh]: "The Lord Will Provide" (Genesis 22:14) – the name memorialized by Abraham when God provided the ram to be sacrificed in place of Isaac.
JEHOVAH-RAPHA [ji-hoh-veh-raw-faw]: "The Lord Who Heals" (Exodus 15:26) – “I am Jehovah who heals you” both in body and soul. In body, by preserving from and curing diseases, and in soul, by pardoning iniquities.
JEHOVAH-NISSI [ji-hoh-veh-nee-see]: "The Lord Our Banner" (Exodus 17:15), where banner is understood to be a rallying place. This name commemorates the desert victory over the Amalekites in Exodus 17.
JEHOVAH-M'KADDESH [yji-hoh-veh-meh-kad-esh]: "The Lord Who Sanctifies, Makes Holy" (Leviticus 20:8; Ezekiel 37:28) – God makes it clear that He alone, not the law, can cleanse His people and make them holy.
JEHOVAH-SHALOM [ji-hoh-veh-shah-lohm]: "The Lord Our Peace" (Judges 6:24) – the name given by Gideon to the altar he built after the Angel of the Lord assured him he would not die as he thought he would after seeing Him.
JEHOVAH-ELOHIM [ji-hoh-veh-el-oh-him]: "LORD God" (Genesis 2:4; Psalm 59:5) – a combination of God’s unique name JEHOVAH and the generic “Lord,” signifying that He is the Lord of Lords.
JEHOVAH-TSIDKENU [ji-hoh-veh-tzid-kay-noo]: "The Lord Our Righteousness” (Jeremiah 33:16) – As with JEHOVAH-M’Kaddesh, it is God alone who provides righteousness (from the Hebrew word tsidkenu) to man, ultimately in the person of His Son, Jesus Christ, who became sin for us “that we might become the Righteousness of God in Him” (2 Corinthians 5:21).
JEHOVAH-ROHI [ji-hoh-veh-roh-hee]: "The Lord Our Shepherd" (Psalm 23:1) – After David pondered his relationship as a shepherd to his sheep, he realized that was exactly the relationship God had with him, and so he declares, “Jehovah-Rohi is my Shepherd. I shall not want” (Psalm 23:1).
JEHOVAH-SHAMMAH [ji-hoh-veh-sham-mahw]: "The Lord Is There” (Ezekiel 48:35) – the name ascribed to Jerusalem and the Temple there, indicating that the once-departed glory of the Lord (Ezekiel 8—11) had returned (Ezekiel 44:1-4).
JEHOVAH-SABAOTH [ji-hoh-veh-sah-bah-ohth]: "The Lord of Hosts" (Isaiah 1:24; Psalm 46:7) – Hosts means “hordes,” both of angels and of men. He is Lord of the host of heaven and of the inhabitants of the earth, of Jews and Gentiles, of rich and poor, master and slave. The name is expressive of the majesty, power, and authority of God and shows that He is able to accomplish what He determines to do.
EL ELYON [el-el-yohn]: “Most High" (Deuteronomy 26:19) – derived from the Hebrew root for “go up” or “ascend,” so the implication is of that which is the very highest. El Elyon denotes exaltation and speaks of absolute right to lordship.
EL-GIBHOR [el-ghee-bohr]: “Mighty God” (Isaiah 9:6) – the name describing the Messiah, Christ Jesus, in this prophetic portion of Isaiah. As a powerful and mighty warrior, the Messiah, the Mighty God, will accomplish the destruction of God’s enemies and rule with a rod of iron (Revelation 19:15).
CONCLUSION
Once again, it has been my pleasure to bring you my thoughts from `The I AM` Blog this month you have some serious nourriture to chew on basic and fundamental but heavy stuff that you need for your arsenal. If you walk around without knowing this stuff you are leaving yourself exposed to every wind of doctrine. I tell you people when i read about the dangers of being a sheep i had to laugh again., then i wrote sheep might be an endangered specie but lions are armed and dangerous.
I would really like to thank Got Questions.org for the material this month I could add or subtract nothing. Their teaching on this series was just superb.
Let me leave with these final words! If there is anything the history of human religion tells us, it is that people seek to earn their way to heaven. This is a basic human desire because God created us with eternity in mind. The Bible says God has placed the desire for eternity in our hearts Ecclesiastes 3 verse 11. The Bible also tells us there is nothing we can do to earn our way to heaven because we have all sinned Romans 3 verse 23 and the only thing our sins earns us is death Romans 6 verse 23. There is no one who is righteous in himself Romans 3 verse 10. Our dilemma is we have a desire we cannot fulfill, no matter what we do. That is where Jesus comes in. He, and He alone, can fulfill that desire in our hearts for righteousness through the Divine Transaction: `For our sake he made him to be sin who knew no sin, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God` 2 Corinthians 5 verse 21. When Christ died on the cross, He took the sins of mankind upon Himself and made atonement for them. When we place our faith in Him, our sins are imputed in Jesus, and His righteousness in imputed to us.Jesus satisfies our hunger and thirst for righteousness. He is our Bread of Life, Light of the world, Door to the sheep, Good Shepherd, Resurrection and Life, The Way , The Truth, The Life and The True vine. YOU IGNORE HIM TO YOUR DETRIMENT!!
Until next month when we pick up another sizzling topic this is me Raphleta Lillene`s Baby Girl coming to you from Ste. Foy, Québec.
À bientôt
REFERENCES
It is he that endures to the end. I have every intention of enduring to the very end.
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