7 Messianic Claims In John

Jesus Proclaims Who He Is In The Gospel Of John

The disciple John is the son of Zebedee. It was along the shore of the Sea of Galilee they prepared nets in their boat with John’s brother James. The Bible tells us: Without delay he [Jesus] called them, and they left their father Zebedee in the boat with the hired men and followed him. Mark 1:20

From the very beginning, John was drawn to Jesus. He is represented in the Gospels as being closer to Jesus than the other disciples. John refers to himself as “the disciple Jesus loved.”

John believed in Jesus. Written to inspire that action verb, John’s gospel ignites the word believe. Perhaps because of a specific closeness John shared with Jesus, John is the only gospel to include Jesus’ messianic claims.

And with each messianic claim, Jesus provides us with in-depth knowledge of who He is. Referencing the great “I Am”. The same name God declared as His own to Moses at the burning bush Exodus 3:14.

“I am the bread of life.” John 6:35-40 Bread was the primary food of ancient Israel; bread is also a metaphor for life. As the bread of life, Jesus was telling us only through believing in Him can we have a spiritual life with His Father. Jesus explained the manna Moses gave their ancestors was temporary and did not keep them from dying. But Jesus, who is our spiritual bread, sustains believers for eternal life.
“I am the light of the world.” John 8:12-20 Jesus not only lights our path so we may follow Him, but because of His light we are able to view our sin. By following Jesus we can step over that trap door in the floor (being prideful.) Avoid running into the brick wall (telling lies.) Jump over the big green monster (displaying envy.) And His light will continually show us where He built that custom escape door for us.
“I am the gate for the sheep.” John 10:1-10 As Jesus continues to talk metaphorically, His reference to a gate is insightful. Gates protect a flock from intrusion and from wandering off. This claim offers us Jesus’ unending protection. Through the gate is also the only true way in and out of the pen. Anyone who enters another way is considered a thief.
“I am the good shepherd.” John 10:11-18 A good shepherd often slept across the doorway of the gate for added safety and security. He knows all His sheep by name, and the sheep know His voice. The Good Shepherd would lay down His life to save His flock, which is exactly what Jesus did for us on The Cross.
“I am the resurrection and the life.” John 11:25-26 Jesus made this claim about Himself as He spoke to Martha in Bethany, right before He raised her brother Lazarus from the dead. Jesus was not only telling us He has power over life and death, but He was also showing us. He who is life can restore life.
“I am the way and the truth.” John 14:6-14 Jesus is the only way to God, because He is both God and man. He came that we might know Him and learn the Truth – that Jesus died for the sins of mankind so we may spend eternity with Him in heaven.
“I am the true vine.” John 15:1-17 Israel knew quite well how to grow luscious grapes. The vine is the thicker stock of the plant. Nutrients flow from the vine into its many branches to grow fruit which is tended by the gardner. In this analogy, Jesus is the vine. He provides us with nutrients (God’s teachings) needed for eternal life. The branches are us believers. By receiving God’s teaching, we are inspired to grow fruit (live by God’s law, do good for others…). The Gardner (God), continually cares for and tends His branches; pruning branches when necessary to make them grow. If the Gardner finds we are not fruitful, we are cut off to be burned.