> Before Abraham was, I am.
"I AM", stated in the present indicative when referring to the past, as in this context, most likely translates to YHWH in Hebrew (Exodus 3:14), which is the Name of God.
This is most likely why they wanted to kill him on the spot, for what they perceived was blasphemy. It is apparent that Jesus was proclaiming Himself to be YHWH, which is what I believe He was doing, and which is what I believe HE IS.
I am in total agreement with you. And there are NUMEROUS times when Jesus refers to Himself as the great I AM of Exodus. Here are a few more insights that may give food for thought:
An often overlooked passage proving that Jesus was the same God of the Exodus is found in 1 Corinthians 10:1-4 which reads; "Moreover, brethren, I would not that ye should be ignorant, how that all our fathers were under the cloud, and all passed through the sea; And were all baptized unto Moses in the cloud and in the sea; And did all eat the same spiritual meat; And did all drink the same spiritual drink: for they drank of that spiritual Rock that followed them: and that Rock was Christ."
This would bring us to another verse used by those who doubt the Godhead -- "No man hath seen God at any time (John 1:18)." Sadly, most Christians overlook the deeper meaning by throwing out the Old Testament account found in Exodus 33:19-21 that reads; "He [Yahweh] said, I will make all my goodness pass before thee [Moses], and I will proclaim the name of Yahweh before thee; and will be gracious to whom I will be gracious, and will shew mercy on whom I will shew mercy. And he said, Thou canst not see my face: for there shall no man see me, and live. And Yahweh said, Behold, there is a place by me, and thou shalt stand upon a rock."
Now, how does that entire verse in John 1:18 read? It says; "No man hath seen God at any time; the only begotten Son, which is in the bosom of the Father, he hath declared." As you can see, this is yet another proof that Jesus is God. Notice how Yahweh makes yet another reference to 'the rock' and that Jesus Himself 'declared' these Words? These passages should also shed some extra light on why Yahweh was upset with Moses for 'striking' the rock instead of 'speaking' to it for water in Numbers 20:7-12. Remember when the Roman soldier pierced Jesus' side as He hung on the cross and "forthwith came out blood and water (John 19:34)?" Just a little something to think about.
Turn over to John 8:24 and read the words that Jesus spoke to the Jews; "I said therefore unto you, that ye shall die in your sins: for if ye believe not that I am he, ye shall die in your sins." In this verse, the word 'he' is italicized and only inserted for smoother reading so go back and read it again without the added word, "if ye believe not that I am ye shall die in your sins." Jesus is plainly saying He is God in the flesh because to 'believe' carries with it your knowledge of the Christ as God, born of a virgin, not procreated by man, but the Creator of all.
Right about now, I'll bet hundreds of verses are filling your mind but for the sake of time I'll quickly cover some: "Think not that I am come to send peace on earth: I came not to send peace, but a sword (Matthew 10:34)." "For I am come to set a man at variance against his father, and the daughter against her mother (Matthew 10:35)." "I am not sent but unto the lost sheep of the house of Israel (Matthew 15:24)." "I am the God of Abraham, and the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob (Matthew 22:32)." "For many shall come in my name, saying, I am and shall deceive many (Mark 13:6)." "I am come to send fire on the earth (Luke 12:49)." "Take heed that ye be not deceived: for many shall come in my name, saying, I am and the time draweth near: go ye not therefore after them (Luke 21:8)." "Ye are from beneath; I am from above: ye are of this world; I am not of this world (John 8:23)." "Verily, verily, I say unto you, Before Abraham was, I am (John 8:58)." "Some said, This is he: others said, He is like him: but he said, I am (John 9:9)." "I am come that they might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly (John 10:10)." "Ye call me Master and Lord: and ye say well; for I am (John 13:13)." "Now I tell you before it come, that, when it is come to pass, ye may believe that I am (John 13:19)." "I am come a light into the world (John 12:46)."
Still, here's a few more things that Jesus said about the great 'I AM' -- "I am that bread of life (John 6:48)." "I am the living bread (John 6:51)." "I am the light of the world (John 9:5)." "I am the door of the sheep (John 10:7)." "I am the good shepherd (John 10:11)." "I am the resurrection (John 11:25)." "I am the way, the truth, and the life (John 14:6)." "I am the true vine, and my Father is the husbandman (John 15:1)." "I am Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the end, the first and the last (Revelation 22:13)." At this point in this morning's lecture we can deduct from the Bible itself that Jesus Christ is the same I AM that spoke to Moses from the burning bush and gave His perfect Law to Israel. This also might be why He also said "Think not that I am come to destroy the law, or the prophets: I am not come to destroy, but to fulfil (Matthew 5:17)," it's a sin to even think it.
