Episode Summary
In this thought-provoking episode of Making Sense of Faith, Adam Hamilton explores the profound “I AM” statements of Jesus found in the Gospel of John. With his characteristic blend of historical context, theological insight, and practical application, Adam invites listeners to consider their own answer to Jesus’ timeless question: “Who do you say that I am?” Whether you’re spiritually curious or a longtime believer, this concise exploration offers a fresh perspective on statements that have shaped history for over two thousand years.
Episode Highlights:
- The Divine Connection – Discover how Jesus’ use of “I AM” directly connects to God’s revealed name to Moses at the burning bush, challenging listeners to reconsider who Jesus claimed to be.
- Bread of Life – Learn why Jesus’ declaration about being “the bread of life” goes beyond physical nourishment to address the spiritual hunger we all experience in our increasingly disconnected world.
- Light in Darkness – Adam shares a powerful illustration about “punching holes in the darkness” that reveals how Jesus’ statement about being “the light of the world” offers hope amid life’s uncertainties.
- The Good Shepherd – Experience the powerful imagery Adam encountered in the Holy Land that brings new meaning to Jesus’ promise of protection and personal care as both “the gate” and “the good shepherd.”
- Life Beyond Death – Explore the radical hope embedded in Jesus’ claim to be “the resurrection and the life,” offering an eternal perspective that transforms how we view our current challenges.
These seven statements invite us to see Jesus in a completely new light – not as a distant religious figure, but as someone offering practical wisdom for our deepest human needs: nourishment for the soul, guidance when lost, protection from harm, truth in confusion, and hope beyond death. By understanding these profound self-descriptions, you’ll gain fresh perspective on life’s big questions without having to check your brain or values at the door. Whether you’re spiritually curious or skeptical, these ancient declarations still have the power to transform how you navigate life’s complexities and find meaning in an uncertain world.
Go Deeper
Why? Making Sense of God's Will
Adam Hamilton
Where is God when tragedy and suffering strike?
When the ground shakes, and a poor nation’s economy is destroyed; when the waters rise, washing away a community’s hopes and dreams; when a child suffers neglect and abuse; when violence tears apart nations where is God? If God is all powerful, and if each one of us is a beloved child of God, then how can God allow tragedy and suffering to mar his creation?
In Why?, best-selling author Adam Hamilton brings fresh insight to the age-old question of how to understand the will of God. Rejecting simplistic answers and unexamined assumptions, he lays out core ideas for comprehending God’s plan for the world, including:
- God will not take away our free will, even when we use it to grieve him.
- God will never abandon us, especially in the midst of our suffering.
- While God is not the author of suffering, God will bring blessing out of tragedy.
