In the Gospel of John, Jesus teaches us over and over again that He is the great I AM of the Old Testament. The I AM is the name of God that was revealed to Moses and in the burning bush. The Lord was going to save His people from slavery to the Egyptians; God was calling Moses to lead the Israelites on the Exodus. This God who saves is named I AM WHO I AM; the I AM is the God who saved, led, and protected the Israelites throughout the Old Testament times.

This I AM, this God, became flesh and dwelt among us. It’s Jesus! He is I AM.

One of the unique ways that Jesus teaches this to us is with His seven I AM statements in the Gospel of John. You might be familiar with some of these.

1. I AM the Bread of Life
2. I AM the Light of the world
3. I AM the Gate of the Sheep
4. I AM the Good Shepherd
5. I AM the Resurrection and the Life
6. I AM the Way, the Truth, and the Life
7. I AM the Vine

Today we want to focus on the last one: Jesus is the True Vine. Jesus describes our relationship to Him in no uncertain terms.

Be sure to put yourself into this word picture: Jesus said, “I AM the True Vine, and My Father is the Vinedresser. Every branch in Me that does not bear fruit He takes away, and every branch that does bear fruit He prunes, that it may bear more fruit. . . . I AM the Vine; you are the branches. Whoever abides in Me and I in him, he it is that bears much fruit, for apart from Me you can do nothing. John 15:1,2,5 Amen!