Part 2: Jesus - The Center
Key passages
The Bread of Life
John 6:35
“And Jesus said unto them, I am the bread of life: he that cometh to me shall never hunger; and he that believeth on me shall never thirst.”
“Jesus said to them, ‘I am the bread of life. Whoever comes to me will not be hungry, and whoever believes in me will never be thirsty.”
The Light of the World
John 8:12
“Then spake Jesus again unto them, saying, I am the light of the world: he that followeth me shall not walk in darkness, but shall have the light of life.”
“Again, therefore, Jesus spoke to them, saying, ‘I am the light of the world. He who follows me will not walk in the darkness, but will have the light of life.”
The Door
John 10:9
“I am the door: by me if any man enter in, he shall be saved, and shall go in and out, and find pasture.”
“I am the door. If anyone enters in by me, he will be saved, and will go in and go out and will find pasture.”
The Good Shepherd
John 10:11
“I am the good shepherd: the good shepherd giveth his life for the sheep.”
“I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep.”
The Resurrection and the Life
John 11:25
“Jesus said unto her, I am the resurrection, and the life: he that believeth in me, though he were dead, yet shall he live.”
“Jesus said to her, ‘I am the resurrection and the life. He who believes in me will still live, even if he dies.”
The Way, the Truth, and the Life
John 14:6
“Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me.”
“Jesus said to him, ‘I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father, except through me.”
The True Vine
John 15:5
“I am the vine, ye are the branches: He that abideth in me, and I in him, the same bringeth forth much fruit: for without me ye can do nothing.”
“I am the vine. You are the branches. He who remains in me and I in him bears much fruit, for apart from me you can do nothing.”
The Eternal I AM
John 8:58
“Jesus said unto them, Verily, verily, I say unto you, Before Abraham was, I am.”
“Jesus said to them, ‘Most certainly, I tell you, before Abraham came into existence, I AM.”
John 1:14
“And the Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us, (and we beheld his glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father,) full of grace and truth.”
“The Word became flesh and lived among us. We saw his glory, such glory as of the only born Son of the Father, full of grace and truth.”
John 1:17
“For the law was given by Moses, but grace and truth came by Jesus Christ.”
“For the law was given through Moses. Grace and truth were realized through Jesus Christ.”
Acts 4:12
“Neither is there salvation in any other: for there is none other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved.”
“There is salvation in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven that is given among men, by which we must be saved!”
1 Timothy 2:5
“For there is one God, and one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus.”
“For there is one God and one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus.”
Hebrews 10:19-20
“Having therefore, brethren, boldness to enter into the holiest by the blood of Jesus, By a new and living way, which he hath consecrated for us, through the veil, that is to say, his flesh.”
“Having therefore, brothers, boldness to enter into the holy place by the blood of Jesus, by the way which he dedicated for us, a new and living way, through the veil, that is to say, his flesh.”
Revelation 3:7
“And to the angel of the church in Philadelphia write; These things saith he that is holy, he that is true, he that hath the key of David, he that openeth, and no man shutteth; and shutteth, and no man openeth.”
“To the angel of the assembly in Philadelphia write: ‘He who is holy, he who is true, he who has the key of David, he who opens and no one can shut, and who shuts and no one opens, says these things.”
Colossians 1:15-17
“Who is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of every creature: For by him were all things created, that are in heaven, and that are in earth, visible and invisible, whether they be thrones, or dominions, or principalities, or powers: all things were created by him, and for him: And he is before all things, and by him all things consist.”
“He is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of all creation. For by him all things were created in the heavens and on the earth, visible things and invisible things, whether thrones or dominions or principalities or powers. All things have been created through him and for him. He is before all things, and in him all things are held together.”
What Scripture says
- Jesus declares Himself in seven “I AM” predicates: Bread of Life, Light of the World, Door, Good Shepherd, Resurrection and the Life, Way/Truth/Life, and True Vine.
- He is the True Vine; we are the branches; without Him we can do nothing (John 15:5).
- He is the door of the sheep (John 10:7); entering by Him = saved (John 10:9).
- He is the only way to the Father (John 14:6).
- He is the resurrection and the life — those who believe in Him shall live (John 11:25).
- He is the good shepherd who lays down His life for the sheep (John 10:11).
- He is the bread of life — He satisfies hunger and thirst (John 6:35).
- He is the light of the world — those who follow Him do not walk in darkness (John 8:12).
- He claims the divine Name: “Before Abraham was, I AM” (John 8:58).
- He is full of grace and truth — both came through Him (John 1:14, 1:17).
- No salvation in any other name (Acts 4:12).
- He is the one Mediator between God and men (1 Tim 2:5).
- Access to God’s presence is through His flesh / blood (Heb 10:19-20).
- He holds the key — what He opens, none can shut (Rev 3:7).
- All things consist in Him (Col 1:17).
Connections
- To every branch — all twenty branches abide in Him; without Him we can do nothing (John 15:5)
- To Grace and Truth — both came through Him (John 1:17)
- To Forgiveness — His blood is the means (Heb 10:19; Eph 1:7)
- To Faith — believing in Him is the access (John 3:16; Rom 5:1-2)
- To Love — the Father’s love is shown in sending Him (John 3:16; 1 John 4:9-10)
- To Hope — He is the resurrection and the life (John 11:25); living hope through His resurrection (1 Pet 1:3)
- To Truth — He IS the truth (John 14:6); the light of the world (John 8:12)
- To Ask — He is the bread of life; come to Him to be filled (John 6:35)
- To Seek and Knock — He is the good shepherd who calls His own (John 10:11, 14); He stands at the door (Rev 3:20)
Prayer
Dear Heavenly Father, thank You for sending Your Son. There is no other name under heaven by which we must be saved, and no other way to You.
Lord Jesus, You are the vine and we are the branches. Teach us to abide in You day by day, so that our lives bear fruit that lasts.
In Jesus’ name we pray, Amen.