I Am – YHWH

“Jesus said to her, ‘I am he, the one who is speaking to you'”  – John 4:26

In the next few days, we will be looking at all the “I am” statements in the Gospel according to John. The “I am” statements have particular importance because these are things that Jesus claims for himself. I believe we are going to be comforted, strengthened, and encouraged as we gain a better understanding of who he is.

And this brings us to the very first “I am” statement in the Gospel according to John. And I think it is awesome that we begin here.

This comes at the tail end of Jesus encounter with the Samaritan woman at the well. You can read about in John chapter 4. You ought to know that this particular account is one of the longest pericopes in John.

Jesus and the Samaritan woman are talking back and forth and she announces “I know that the Messiah is coming (who is called the Christ). When he comes, he will proclaim all things to us” (John 4:25).

To which Jesus responds, “I am he, the one who is speaking to you” (John 4:26).

What we don’t get in the English is that Jesus respond to the Samaritan woman who is waiting for the Messiah with the Greek word for – YHWH. “I am he” is the translation of the Hebrew word for God – Yahweh. The name of God, YHWH, was so holy that the Jews would not even utter it aloud. Every time they would come across the name of God they would say, “Adonai,” (my LORD) instead of saying aloud the name of God.

The first “I am” statement by Jesus reminds us that he is God, the Creator of the heavens and the earth, that he is sovereign, almighty, omnipotent, omniscient, omnipresent, holy, awesome, loving, forgiving, steadfast, always for us GOD!!!

YHWH

As we face another day in social isolation during the pandemic, know this. We are never alone. YHWH is with us!