i am or i?
"Jesus answered them: 'I solemnly declare it: before Abraham came to be, I AM.' " —John 8:58
Jesus said He was I AM (see also Jn 8:28). I AM is the name for God (Ex 3:14). Therefore, Jesus called Himself "God." Those who believed Him worshipped Him and gave their lives to Him. Those who did not believe Jesus had no choice but to try to execute Him for blaspheming (Jn 8:59).
Today, many people, even Christians, don't worship Jesus and love Him with all their hearts (Mt 22:37). However, they don't hate Jesus. They are neither hot nor cold toward Jesus but lukewarm (Rv 3:16). This attitude is clearly wrong and illogical for those who believe that Jesus claimed to be God.
Because Jesus is I AM, we should be all His. He is the meaning of life, Life Itself (Jn 14:6; Phil 1:21). To give Jesus anything less than everything makes no sense. Jesus should be loved or hated, worshipped or ignored, obeyed completely or completely spurned. We should either tell the whole world about Jesus or try to rid the world of the lie and plague of Christianity.
Before this Lent is over, settle it with Jesus. Quit playing games with Him. Give your whole life to Him. Treat Him as God. That's the only true way to relate to Him. Say with Thomas: "My Lord and my God!" (Jn 20:28)
Prayer: Jesus, may my relationship with You only make sense to those who believe You are the great I AM.
Promise: "I will give to you and to your descendants after you the land in which you are now staying." —Gn 17:8
Praise: Joe started going to weekday Mass one or two days a week. This extra time with Jesus so deepened his love for the Eucharist that he now attends Mass daily.
Reference: (For related teaching, order our new leaflet, Who Cares?)
Rescript: †Most Reverend Joseph R. Binzer, Auxiliary Bishop, Vicar General of the Archdiocese of Cincinnati, September 13, 2012
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