1415. Ye Believed Not That I Am He
Ye Believed Not That I Am He
"For whom He hath sent Him ye believe not" (Joh_5:38).
The expression, "I am He," brings before us a most beautiful and helpful study. Let us tabulate some of the claims that are wrapped up in that expression.
When Moses inquired as to who it was that was sending Him to deliver Israel, the reply was, "I am." Jesus Christ is the great "Ego Eimi," the great "I am." He said before Abraham was, "I am." The words "I am" establish our Lord's claim to Deity. Below are the uses of the term.
1. "I am the Door." No one could have said this excepting Christ the Son of God. Who else could be the door to the eternal sheepfold? Who else could be the door, through which if any man enter in, he would be saved and could go in and out, and find pasture?
2. "I am the Way." Once more the expression, "I am," is linked with a promise that places Christ far above the human. Christ was speaking about the way from earth to Heaven; He was telling how people may get to God. Jesus had said, "I go to the Father." Philip said to Him: "How can we know the way?" To him Christ replied, "I am the Way." Certainly Paul could not have said this, neither Peter, neither any of earth's great men. Christ alone was the Way.
3. "I am the Truth." No one could say that but Christ. Others may have truth, may believe truth, may preach truth, but Christ and Christ alone is truth.
4. "I am the Bread that came dawn from Heaven." Who, but Deity, could dare to claim as a type, the manna which fell in the days of the children of Israel's journeys? Who could say, "He that eateth of Me shall never hunger"?–Who but Christ?
5. "I am the Good Shepherd." There is but one Good Shepherd. There were many false shepherds. There is an idol Shepherd. There could be but one Good Shepherd and one Great Shepherd, and one Chief Shepherd. The words must proclaim the Deity of the One that spoke, because He is the Shepherd Who gave His life for the sheep. He is the One Who died that the sheep might live.
6. "I am the Resurrection." Certainly this expression forever establishes that Jesus Christ is the Son of God. Clothed with all authority and power.
Men are not saved, because they believe not that Jesus Christ is Ego Eimi, the Son of God, the Way, the Truth, the Life, the Door, the Bread, the Good Shepherd and the Resurrection. If men believed, they would live.
Men are not saved for "Whom He hath sent, Him they believe not" (Joh_5:38, l. c.). Again, "Ye also have seen Me, and believe not" (Joh_6:36). Again, "Because I tell you the truth, ye believe Me not."
Surely the Holy Spirit convicts men of sin because they believe not, even, on Him, and those who believe not shall die in their sins. Compare Joh_16:9 with Joh_8:24.
He that believes the Son hath life; he that believeth not the Son hath not life (see Joh_3:36).
Autor: R.E. NEIGHBOUR