To the question of the High Priest:
“Are you the Christ, the Son of the Blessed?”
He replies: “I am” you will see the Son of Man
sitting at the right hand of the Mighty One
and coming on the clouds of heaven Mark 14:61
BACKGROUND
There has always been disputes between religious sects about the divinity of Jesus. Some, even in our own Catholic Church, resulting in schisms, like Arianism that denied the divinity of Jesus. This schism was addressed at Council of Nicea (325) which proclaimed: Jesus is the Son of God and possesses the same nature as the Father.
While skeptics, even today, argue that Jesus never claimed to be God, they must not be reading St. John’s Gospel. John’s Gospel was written much later after Jesus’ Passion and death.
John, the beloved disciple, had a lot more time to ponder his experiences with Jesus and His teachings. John’s Gospel even begins, “In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. Jesus is Logos, the fully revealed Word of God.
In the Old Testament God gives His name to Moses. “God said to Moses, “I am who I am.” “Say this to the people of Israel, ‘I am has sent me to you.” Exodus 3:14
GOD (I AM) IS NOT ANOTHER BEING, BUT EXISTENCE ITSELF. HE IS! EXISTENCE IS HIS ESSENCE. THE NAME OF GOD IS FATHER SON AND HOLY SPIRIT; ONE GOD THREE PERSONS. GOD IS LOVE IN RELATIONSHIP IN THE HOLY TRINITY AND WITH HIS PEOPLE!
When Jesus used the phrase “I AM,” He made specific revelations regarding His identity and nature. These revelations made it clear to all that He was the Messiah—God in human form. Jesus is much more than just another leader, rabbi, or prophet. Jesus is God!
JESUS ACKNOWLEDGES HE IS GOD IN THE NEW TESTAMENT
Philip said, “Lord, show us the Father and that will be enough for us.” Jesus answered: “Don’t you know me, Philip, even after I have been among you such a long time? Anyone who has seen me has seen the Father. How can you say, `Show us the Father’? Don’t you believe that I am in the Father, and that the Father is in me? The words I say to you are not just my own. Rather, it is the Father, living in me…John 14:7-10
The Jews said to him, you are not yet fifty years old and have seen Abraham? Jesus said to them, “Truly, truly, I say to you, before Abraham was born, I am.” JOHN 8:58
‘I am the Son of God’? If I do not perform my Father’s works, do not believe me; but if I perform them, even if you do not believe me, believe the works, so that you may realize and understand that the Father is in me and I am in the Father JOHN 10:36
The Samaritan woman at the well said to him, “I know that the Messiah is coming the one called the Anointed; when he comes, he will tell us everything.” Jesus said to her, “I am he,* the one who is speaking with you.” Jesus said to her, “I who speak to you am He.” JOHN 4:26
At daybreak the council of the elders of the people, both the chief priests and teachers of the law, met together, and Jesus was led before them. “If you are the Christ, tell us. Jesus answered, “If I tell you, you will not believe me…But from now on, the Son of Man will be seated at the right hand of the mighty God. They all asked, Are you then the Son of God? He replied, “You are right in saying I am.” Luke 22:66-70
JESUS DEMONSTRATES WHAT IT MEANS TO BE GOD!
Jesus, as the Bread of Life, offers each of us life everlasting
And Jesus said to them, “I am the bread of life. He who comes to Me shall never hunger, and he who believes in Me shall never thirst.” John 6:35.
Jesus offers a choice between the darkness of sin and the light of His presence.
Then Jesus spoke to them again, saying, “I am the light of the world. He who follows Me shall not walk in darkness, but have the light of life.” –John 8:12
Jesus, as the Good Shepherd, died to save each of us.
“I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd gives His life for the sheep.” –John 10:11
Jesus promises resurrection and life ever after
Jesus said to her, “I am the resurrection and the life. He who believes in Me, though he may die, he shall live. And whoever lives and believes in Me shall never die. Do you believe this?” –John 11:25, 26
Jesus is the path to salvation, cling to Him
Jesus said to him, “I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me.” John 14:6
CONCLUSION
I don’t know how much clearer Scriptures can speak to us. Jesus is the Son of God, Second Person of the Most Holy Trinity, Human and Divine. Jesus is the light of the world, the bread of life, the Good Shepherd, the resurrection and life of the world.
Jesus is the WAY, the TRUTH, and the LIFE! AMEN!