I AM, Part 6 Larry W Peebles November 17, 2017 17.44
My wife and I have been married over 48 years, and have known each other for over 51 years. We fell in love immediately when we met, but after we married we soon realized we were more different than we were similar. The early years of our marriage were a struggle as we searched for our marital identity. Genesis 2:24 says that at marriage a man and wife “become one flesh”, and while that is certainly true, it can take time before they operate as one. After years of living together, learning each other’s ways, experiencing trial and error, having intense discussions, and really coming to know each other, we matured and grew into one. Now in our marriage there is solidarity, dependability, and a trust that is the most precious thing I know. We have grown to know each other’s preferences, habits, and even thoughts. More and more we move and act as one. The deep familiarity has fueled the growth of even more love. As our faith in Jesus has grown, we have experienced the power of a third person in our marriage. His presence has added strength to fend off the attacks that come against every marriage.
The disciple John and Jesus grew that close. John, Peter and James were the three disciples closest to Jesus, and they were the three disciples who not only witnessed Jesus’ transfiguration, they also saw Moses and Elijah with Him. (Matthew 17:1). They were the only ones invited into the house of the ruler of the synagogue when Jesus prayed for his daughter who had died and brought her back to life. (Mark 5:37). These were also the three disciples Jesus asked to go further into the Garden of Gethsemane for more intense prayer as Jesus’ betrayal approached. (Mark 14:33). They clearly were the inner circle of disciples who were closest to Jesus.
In the Gospel of John, however, it is John who is referred to six times as “the disciple whom Jesus loved.” It was John who laid his head on Jesus’ breast at the Last Supper. (John 13:23). Following His resurrection, Jesus appeared to the disciples and spoke to them about what was to come. He said Peter would be bound and “taken where he did not want to go”, meaning imprisonment and death. Peter then asked Jesus “What about this man?”, referring to John. Jesus responded “If I will that he remains until I come, what is that to you?” (John 21:22). John explained in verse 23 that this did not necessarily mean he would not die, but church history teaches that he was the only disciple to die a natural death. Although he was lowered into a vat of hot oil at Ephesus, he did not die. He was exiled by the Romans for a while to the island of Patmos, but his faith was not silenced at the hands of man. Although ready to die for the Gospel he had received from Jesus, he in fact died peacefully of old age.
In writing the Book of John, he wanted the world to know Jesus as intimately as he did. John 20:31 says- “these are written that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, and that believing you may have life in His name.” He desperately wanted to reveal the identity, character, and deity of Jesus to the world. He used the “I AM” statements of Jesus to do that. All of the “I AM” statements we have studied in this series have come from the Gospel of John and Book of Revelation, books written by John:
- I AM the bread of life. John 6:35. Part 1.
- I AM the light of the world. John 8:12. Part 1.
- I AM the gate/door. John 10:9. Part 1.
- I AM the good shepherd. John 10:11. Part 2.
- I AM the resurrection and the life. John 11:25-26. Part 2.
- I AM the way and the truth and the life. John 14:6. Part 2.
- I AM the true vine. John 15:1. Part 2.
- I AM the Alpha (Beginning) and the Omega (End). Revelation 1:8 and 1:17-18, Revelation 21:6, and 22:13. Part 3.
- I AM the Root and Offspring of David. Revelation 22:16. Part 4.
- I AM the Bright Morning Star. Revelation 22:16. Part 4.
- I AM before Abraham was. John 8:58. Part 5.
- It is I AM; do not be afraid. John 6:20. Part 5.
One reason John carefully recorded these I AM statements of Jesus was so the world would come to know the great expanse of His character and nature. When we know Jesus and believe in Him as John did, we become one with Him. Ephesians 5: 30-32 speaks of the strength of this unity- “For we [believers] are members of His body, of His flesh, and of His bones. ‘For this reason a man shall leave his father and mother and be joined to his wife, and the two shall become one flesh.’ This is a great mystery, but I [Paul] speak concerning Christ and the church.” [Inserts mine.] 1 Corinthians 6: 16-17 adds- “For the two [husband and wife], He says, shall become one flesh. But he who is joined to the Lord is one spirit with Him.” [Insert mine.] His desire was we become one with Christ, as Jesus prayed in John 17: 20-22- “I do not pray for these [disciples] alone, but also for those who will believe in Me through their word; that they all may be one, as You Father are in Me, and I in You; that they also may be one in Us, that the world may believe that You sent Me. And the glory which You gave Me I have given them, that they may be one as we are one.” [Insert mine.]
Again, when we know Jesus as John knew Him (intimately, as the I AM), we become one with Him. When we pray in His name (I AM), and we pray allowing His spirit to pray through us, we pray effective and powerful prayers. In John 16: 23-24, Jesus issued a new instruction to the disciples- “In that day you will not [need to] ask Me about anything. I assure you and most solemnly say to you, whatever you ask the Father in [the merit of] My name [presenting all that I AM, and as the representative of I AM], He will give you. Until now you have not asked in My name; but now ask and keep on asking and you will receive, so that your joy may be full and complete.” Amplified version.
When we know Jesus as John knew Him, and we allow His spirit to pray through us, we also are one with and pray on behalf of the King. We are issuing decrees and commands in the name of the King. As a representative or ambassador (2 Corinthians 5:20) of the King, we speak in prayer with the granted authority from the throne. Even devils know and recognize that authority, and must obey. Declarations must be followed, and commands obeyed. Failure to obey the commands of the King will result in certain death.
It is not enough to teach and follow the faith. There must be evidence of a power flowing out of that faith through a connection and oneness with the Spirit of Jesus. Paul said in 1 Corinthians 2: 4-5- “And my speech and my preaching were not with persuasive words of human wisdom, but in demonstration of the Spirit and of power, that your faith should not be in the wisdom of men but in the power of God.” When we know Jesus (the I AM), believe in Him, and pray through His spirit, the power of prayer will be there. Then lives and situations can be impacted, and the world will believe and be changed.
