Who are we? Who is He?

I am. You are. She is. We are. They are. The verb “to be” is the most basic sentence structure; it's even one of the first things you learn in a foreign language class. It's also one of the most complex names of God.

I found this name buried in a portion of John 13 my class looked at this past Sunday. Regarding Judas’ coming betrayal, Jesus said, “I am telling you now before it happens, so that when it does happen you will believe that I am He” (John 13:19). The first “I am” at the beginning of the verse is not our key name here but is part of the conjugation of the verb “to tell.” The word “he” at the end of the verse was not in the original Greek. Read it again without the “he.”

I am telling you now before it happens, so that when it does happen you will believe that I am.

This name carries great significance throughout Scripture that I won’t even begin to cover here. Following is just a sample from the New Testament of what this name reveals about God.

I am the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob (Matthew 22:32).

Take courage. I am. Don’t be afraid (Mark 6:49).

I am the Son of God (Luke 22:70).

I am the bread of life (John 6:35).

I am the light of the world (John 8:12).

I am the gate (John 10:9).

I am the good shepherd (John 10:11).

I am the resurrection and the life (John 11:25).

I am the way and the truth and the life (John 14:6).

I am the true vine (John 15:1).

I am Jesus of Nazareth (John 18:5-6).

I am the Alpha and the Omega (Revelation 1:8).

I am the Root and the Offspring of David, and the bright Morning Star (Revelation 22:16).

Beyond these titles, we also see some descriptions of Jesus in the New Testament:

I am with you always (Matthew 28:20).

I am among you as one who serves (Luke 22:27).

I am from God the Father (John 7:29).

I am not alone (John 8:16-18).

I am one who testifies for myself (John 8:16-18).

I am from above (John 8:23-24).

I am not of this world (John 8:23-24).

I am the one I claim to be (John 8:23-24).

I am a king (John 18:37).

These titles and descriptions give us just a glimpse of who He is – His goodness, His power, His majesty, His position. Contrast that with the other main character in John 13:18-30 – Judas Iscariot. Every time his name is mentioned in the Bible, he is either carrying out his act of betrayal against Jesus or he is named as the one who betrayed Jesus.

Judas Iscariot, who betrayed Him… (Matthew 10:4)

When Judas, who had betrayed Him… (Matthew 27:3)

Judas Iscariot, who betrayed Him… (Mark 3:19)

Judas Iscariot, who became a traitor… (Luke 6:16)

Judas, though one of the twelve, was later to betray Him… (John 6:71)

Judas Iscariot, who was later to betray Him…, (John 12:4)

Now Judas, who betrayed Him… (John 18:2)

Judas the traitor… (John 18:5)

Pretend someone is writing a story about you, what would they say? She is __________. What word would define you? 

Now, stop pretending. You do have a critical role in a story - the story of this moment in history. Who are you in this role?  I am ____________.