By all human accounts, Moses had fallen from grace. After growing up in Pharaoh’s house, Moses committed a grave sin and killed an Egyptian. Moses fled to Midian, where he was a shepherd for 40 years. While Moses led sheep through the wilderness, God prepared him for something better. To lead His people through the wilderness. When God called Moses to lead His people, God appeared to Moses in a burning bush (Ex. 3). During that interaction, Moses asked God, “Who do I tell them has sent me?” God’s responded, “I AM WHO I AM.” 

“Moses said to God, ‘Suppose I go to the Israelites and say to them, “The God of your fathers has sent me to you,” and they ask me, “What is his name?” Then what shall I tell them?’ 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.” (Ex. 3:13-14)

As God is saying I Am, He is saying He is self-existent, not dependent on anything for existence. He is the creator and sustainer of all that exists. He is not in the process of changing. He is the same yesterday, today, and forever (Heb. 13:8). God claims to be eternal in existence. 

Fast-forward and Jesus arrives on the scene. He is doing miracles, teaching, and claiming to have authority. The religious leaders didn’t like it, so they questioned Jesus. Jesus doesn’t back down. John records seven times when Jesus claims to be God. How does he claim to be God? By speaking those exact words God used in Exodus 3. The Pharisees would have known it and made the connection. Jesus tells those listening: I AM. 

At pivotal moments, Jesus claims to be the pre-existent, eternal God. And each statement Jesus makes about being I AM contains a significant trait of who Jesus is and why He is on earth. 

Jesus was not just a mere mortal. He is the Son of Godd… Jesus is God.