Sabbath Service 28th December - Scott Reinhard

Summary

In this powerful reflection, the speaker shares a personal journey from a troubled childhood to a transformative decision to read the Bible. He explores the profound statements made by Jesus, focusing on the claim, 'I am the way, the truth, and the life.' Through an in-depth examination of biblical verses and historical context, the speaker emphasizes that Jesus' words are not merely claims of wisdom but declarations of divinity, identifying Himself as God. The message encourages listeners to engage deeply with the Bible, allowing it to transform their lives and strengthen their relationship with God.

Takeaways

• 😀 Jesus claimed to be the way, the truth, and the life, emphasizing that no one comes to the Father except through Him.
• 😀 The phrase 'I am' used by Jesus in John 14:6 connects Him to the divine name YHWH (Yahweh), signifying His identity as God.
• 😀 Jesus repeatedly uses the phrase 'I am' throughout the Gospel of John to describe Himself as essential for salvation and connection to the Father.
• 😀 The Bible contains 78,313 words, and it is not as overwhelming as it may seem to read the entire text, with just under 55 hours of reading time needed.
• 😀 Jesus’ claim to be God (YHWH) is met with opposition and hostility from the religious leaders, who viewed it as blasphemy worthy of death.
• 😀 The Greek term 'ego eimi' and the Hebrew 'YHWH' both emphasize the self-existence and eternal nature of God, and Jesus uses them to assert His divinity.
• 😀 Jesus' repeated declarations of 'I am' underscore His role in creation, offering life, truth, and salvation as the eternal source of everything.
• 😀 The term YHWH, or Yahweh, appears throughout the Old Testament, underscoring God's unique and uncreated nature, as shown in the encounters with Moses and Joshua.
• 😀 Jesus' historical existence and claims, including His miracles, are well-documented and affirmed by many sources outside of the Bible, pointing to His truthfulness.
• 😀 The ultimate challenge presented by Jesus' claims is a personal one: to accept or reject Him as the way to restored relationship with God and eternal life.

Q & A

What is the significance of Jesus' statement 'I am the way, the truth, and the life' in John 14:6?

This statement is one of the most profound and direct claims Jesus makes about himself. By saying 'I am the way, the truth, and the life', Jesus is declaring himself as the exclusive path to a relationship with God, asserting that salvation and spiritual truth can only be found through him.

What is the meaning of the phrase 'I am' in the context of Jesus' statements?

In the original Greek, 'I am' translates to 'ego eimi', which is closely associated with the Hebrew term 'Yahweh' (YHWH), God's name in the Old Testament. Jesus' use of 'I am' connects him to the eternal, self-existent God, making a powerful declaration of his divine nature.

Why do the Pharisees react so strongly to Jesus' claim 'Before Abraham was born, I am'?

The Pharisees' strong reaction is because Jesus was claiming equality with God. By using the phrase 'I am', which refers to God’s name in the Old Testament, Jesus was essentially declaring himself to be the eternal God, a claim that was considered blasphemous and punishable by death according to Jewish law.

What does Jesus mean by saying 'without me, you can do nothing'?

This statement emphasizes Jesus' central role in spiritual life. He is not merely a teacher or prophet but the essential source of life and salvation. Without him, there is no true connection to God, and nothing can be done to restore the broken relationship between humanity and the Father.

What is the importance of the phrase 'I am the Good Shepherd' in understanding Jesus' mission?

'I am the Good Shepherd' highlights Jesus' caring and sacrificial nature. Just as a shepherd lovingly guides, protects, and sacrifices for his sheep, Jesus offers himself as the protector and savior of those who follow him, ensuring their spiritual safety and wellbeing.

What role does the Bible play in the speaker's spiritual journey?

The Bible plays a pivotal role in the speaker’s spiritual transformation. By committing to read and understand the entire Bible, the speaker discovered the depth of Jesus' teachings and claims. This led to a profound change in his life, as he gained new insights into the truth and meaning of his existence.

How does the speaker contrast the Bible with other popular media or activities?

The speaker points out that, while people spend significant amounts of time on books, movies, and other activities, reading the Bible is a manageable task that can be completed in a relatively short time. The comparison emphasizes that we often devote extensive hours to entertainment but neglect the more important spiritual text.

Why is the speaker’s use of 'I am' significant when discussing the identity of Jesus?

The speaker emphasizes that the use of 'I am' is crucial because it directly connects Jesus to the divine name of God, 'Yahweh'. This shows that Jesus is not merely a historical figure but the eternal God incarnate, who has been present throughout history and is the key to salvation.

What is the significance of the speaker’s reference to the Tetragrammaton (YHWH)?

The Tetragrammaton (YHWH) refers to the four Hebrew letters representing God’s name, 'Yahweh'. By associating Jesus with this term, the speaker underscores that Jesus’ claims about himself are not just about being a teacher or prophet but about being God in human form, the one who is self-existent and self-sufficient.

What does the speaker believe about the historical existence and actions of Jesus?

The speaker asserts that Jesus is not just a myth or a legend but a real historical figure who made significant claims, performed miracles, and has had a lasting impact on the world. He believes that the evidence supporting Jesus' existence and his actions in the Gospels is substantial and undeniable.