The Catholic Defender: Jesus is the Great I Am
- May 22
- 3 min read
Jesus Christ's identification as the "Great I AM" is a central claim of his divinity in Christian theology, linking him directly to the name of God revealed to Moses in the Old Testament.
The Burning Bush: In Exodus 3:14, God identifies Himself to Moses as "I AM WHO I AM".
Jesus’ Declaration: In John 8:58, Jesus tells the religious leaders, "Before Abraham was, I AM".
Divine Claim: By using this present-tense phrase, Jesus wasn't just saying he was old; he was claiming to be the eternal, uncreated God.
In the Gospel of John, Jesus uses the phrase "I am" seven times to describe his relationship with humanity
Bread of Life: The one who satisfies spiritual hunger (John 6:35)
Light of the World: The one who provides guidance in darkness (John 8:12)
The Door: The only entrance to salvation (John 10:9)
Good Shepherd: The one who cares for and dies for his flock (John 10:11)
Resurrection and the Life: The source of eternal life (John 11:25
The Way, Truth, and Life: The exclusive path to God (John 14:6)
The True Vine: The source of spiritual vitality and growth (John 15:1).
Matthew 16:24: "Then Jesus said to his disciples, 'If anyone would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross and follow me.'
Following Jesus requires personal sacrifice, including taking up one’s cross daily (Luke 9:23) and serving him through obedience (John 12:26).
Scripture emphasizes prioritizing spiritual devotion over earthly pursuits, as seen in the call to follow him (1 Peter 2:21), selling possessions (Matthew 19:21), and bearing one’s own cross (Luke 14:27).
21 Times Jesus Said "Follow Me"
1. Matthew 4:19, Mark 1:17 "Follow me and I will make you fishers of men."
2. Matthew 8:22, Luke 9:59 - To another he said, “Follow me.” But he said, “Lord, let me first go and bury my father.” ..."Follow me, and let the dead bury their own dead."
3. Matthew 9:9, Mark 2:14, Luke 5:27 - After this he went out and saw a tax collector named Levi, sitting at the tax booth. And he said to him, “Follow me.”
4. Matthew 16:24, Mark 8:34, Luke 9:23 - "If anyone would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross and follow me."
5. Matthew 19:21, Mark 10:21, Luke 18:22 - Jesus said to him, “If you would be perfect, go, sell what you possess and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven; and come, follow me.”
6. Luke 14:27 - Whoever does not bear his own cross and come after me cannot be my disciple.
7. John 1:43 - The next day Jesus decided to go to Galilee. He found Philip and said to him, “Follow me.”
8. John 10:27 - My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me. (I realize this one is not a command, but a statement of fact. I decided to include it anyway.)
9. John 12:26 - If anyone serves me, he must follow me; and where I am, there will my servant be also. If anyone serves me, the Father will honor him.
10. John 13:36 - Simon Peter said to him, “Lord, where are you going?” Jesus answered him, “Where I am going you cannot follow me now, but you will follow afterward.”
11. John 21:19 - (This he said to show by what kind of death he was to glorify God.) And after saying this he said to him, “Follow me.”
12. John 21:22 - Jesus said to him, “If it is my will that he remain until I come, what is that to you? You follow me!”
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