In the previous post, we discussed the literal “I AM” statements that Jesus made. HE claimed unequivocally to be GOD in the flesh, and the Savior of mankind! Jesus also used several metaphors to describe himself. These are intended to help us understand HIS purpose, plan of redemption, and role as Messiah. This is the reason why HE came into the world!
Jesus said,
- “I AM the bread of life” ~ John 6:35
- “I AM the light of the world” ~ John 8:12
- “I AM the door: by me if any man enter in, he shall be saved” ~ John 10:9
- “I AM the good shepherd: the good shepherd giveth his life for the sheep” ~ John 10:11 KJV
- “I AM the true vine” ~ John 15:1
In the first of these metaphors, ‘bread’ stands for what we feed upon and what nourishes us. Just as our physical bodies must eat (it is not optional), so must our immortal soul have nourishment. And just as we may feed our physical bodies healthy foor or junk food, so may we feed our soul with true nourishment or false. When we desire and live for the things of the world – success, money, fame or popularity – we are feeding our soul with spiritual junk food; we are actually starving our soul. In fact, Jesus warned us not to labor for this kind of food, which perishes, but for food which endures to eternal life! Then HE promises that HE will give us this food. [9] It is in this context that Jesus claims to be the “Bread of life”. HE is contrasting HIMSELF against the false bread which perishes and leads to death! HE is saying that HE alone is true nourishment for our soul, which leads to eternal life! Jesus explains clearly that we partake of this bread by coming to HIM (confessing that HE is Lord) and believing in HIM (that he died for our sin and rose again). Once we ‘eat’ of this true nourishment, our soul will never hunger or thirst for anything else.
The difference between light and dark is whether or not you can see. When we are in darkness, we cannot see the way, and we do not know where we are going. Since the Fall in the Garden of Eden we have all been born with a sin nature. The entire world is in this “darkness” of sin and, sadly, we love it this way because it hides our sin! As Jesus said, “men loved darkness rather than light, because their deeds were evil”. [10] On the other hand, light reveals what is hidden, and exposes what was shadowed. Jesus said, “I have come into the world as light, so that whoever believes in me may not remain in darkness”. [11] Jesus did not come as the light only to expose our sin, but to move us out of the darkness entirely: SALVATION! This is the “light of the gospel of the glory of Christ, who is the image of GOD”: that whosoever believes in HIM shall receive the forgiveness of sins. [12]
When Jesus referred to himself as the “door”, HE was communicating to us that HE is the only way of salvation. You must enter into eternal life at this door! “Neither is there salvation in any other: for there is none other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved”. [13] This is a very clear statement of the exclusivity of Christ. There can be no other savior because no one else ever was who Jesus was and no one else ever did what Jesus did! Jesus is GOD, and only the infinite GOD could make the infinite atonement for the guilt and offense of our sin! Jesus was perfect and sinless, and only HIS perfect righteousness is acceptable in GOD’s sight!
A shepherd is responsible to guide and care for a flock of sheep. A good shepherd guards and protects the flock of sheep even at risk to his own life! In this metaphor, Jesus is the ‘shepherd’ and HIS people are the ‘sheep’. When HE says “the good shepherd giveth his life”, HE is telling us that HE will sacrifice HIS life to save us. The danger we are in is the wrath of GOD against us for our sinfulness. [14] The penalty that is required for our sins is death; as the Bible says “the wages of sin is death”. [15] But, if Jesus gives HIS life in place of ours, literally if HE dies ‘as us’, then our sins are paid in full. This is known as substitutionary atonement. Jesus is our substitute and he received our punishment – death, while we receive HIS reward – eternal life!
Finally, Jesus says that HE is the “true vine”. A vine is the root and support and nourishment of the plant, and without the vine the branches can produce no fruit. In this metaphor, we are the branches. We must be united to Christ, by faith, or we will produce no good fruit in our lives. In a similar manner as HE did with the “bread of life”, HE points out that HE is not just “a vine”, but the “true vine”. There are many false vines, and many people are united to them instead of the true vine. Any group, movement, leader or organization that does not have Christ as its head is a false vine. These take our time and energy and keep us distracted from the true purpose of our life – to glorify GOD. Jesus is calling us to be united to HIM, to put our faith in HIM, to follow HIM as Savior and Lord, and to depend on HIM daily! Only in this way can we be pleasing to GOD. [16]
These are the statements that Jesus has made about HIMSELF. Whom do you say that Jesus is? [17] What will you do with Jesus? Will you confess that HE is Lord? Or will you refuse HIM? In HIS own words, Jesus sets before you the choice of forgiveness, or judgment:
“He that believeth on [me] is not condemned: but he that believeth not is condemned already, because he hath not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God.”
~ John 3:18 KJV
References
[9] John 6:27
[10] Isaiah 9:2, John 3:19
[11] John 12:46 ESV
[12] Acts 26:18 ESV, 2 Corinthians 4:4 ESV, Colossians 1:13 ESV, Acts 10:43
[13] Acts 4:12 KJV
[14] Romans 1:18
[15] Romans 6:23
[16] John 15:4
[17] Matthew 16:15