the 'i am' sayings in john's gospel

• the first book and chapter that we first hear the phrase 'i am' connected to god is in Exodus 3:14
• they are seven 'i am' sayings in John's gospel however the only four that we need to know are 'I am the bread of life', 'I am the true vine', 'I am the good sheperd' and 'I am the light of the world'
• the hebrew name that is connected to the phrase 'I am' is Yahweh
• The Greek translation of 'I am' that was a blasphemous phrase that was used by jesus was ego eimi
• 'I am the bread of life' - John 6:35
• two reasons why jesus identified himself as being the bread of life was considered to be significant was because

  1. Bread was linked to the temple and both the Torah and bread were life giving
  2. the bread symbolizes jesus' teachings which will nourish people forever
• Two themes that Brown identified with regards to the discourse of feedinf the 5000 were:

  1. sapiental (wisdom) theme
  2. Sacramental theme
• In the sapiential theme, Jesus teaches his disciples about wisdom through the use of parables such as the sower and the seed.
• two reasons why jesus identifying himself as light was significant because

  1. Isaiah prophesying the messiah would be a 'light to the gentiles to open eyes that are blind'
  2. the true light that was introduced in the prologue
• Brown interpret the blindess of the man to symbolise the ignorace of humanity
• two reasons why jesus idtifying himself as ' the good sheperd' as significant because:

  1. there is a link to life as 'the goodshepherd lays down his for the sheep
  2. the heroic shepherd who protected his sheep those who 'know him' from the flock (Isreal), but also 'other sheep that are not of his sheepfold', understood to be Gentiles
• Brown interprets the theives and robbers as symbolizes the pharisees, who claim to ogger the way to God through legalism
• two reasons why jesus identifying himself as 'the true vine' was significant because:

  1. In the old testament the vine was used to represent the jewish nation out jesus being the true vine distiguishes fim from isreal and gives a sense that the jews should not take their place for granted
  2. when celebrating the passover, a cup of wine is set aside undrunk for the messiah
• Brown interpreted the vines branches as representing the apostles and the fruitless branches as the unbelievers
• Brown interpreted the eating of flesh and drinking blood as an invitation to eat the body and drink the blood of Christ at communion