…the Alpha and Omega

friend, thank you for spending this week with me as we have heard Jesus introduce Himself to us through His words in the book of John. Jesus said, “I am the Bread of Life, I am Light of the World, I am the Good Shepherd, I am the Resurrection and the Life, and I am the Way, the Truth and the Life.” Some of you may be thinking...Grant, you missed one. It’s true, Jesus said, “I am the Gate, or I am the Door to the Gate!” I would love to have covered that one, but as I sat this morning, I truly felt the Holy Spirit pointed me in another direction.  

While it is not in the book of John, later on in John's life, Jesus reveals what may be the greatest “I AM” of them all!

Revelation 22:13 says, “I am the Alpha and the Omega, the First and the Last, the Beginning and the End.” (Revelation 22:13, NIV) 

As we come to the end of this week together, my prayer is that it’s a whole new beginning for you!

All the way back in Genesis 3, God reveals Himself to Moses as He says, “I am who I am. This is what you are to say to the Israelites: ‘I am has sent me to you.’” All throughout the book of John, Jesus has added to this bold claim with the “I AM” statements we have been walking through together.

The book of John tells us what happens on the night Jesus is arrested, “So Judas came to the garden, guiding a detachment of soldiers and some officials from the chief priests and the Pharisees. They were carrying torches, lanterns and weapons. Jesus, knowing all that was going to happen to him, went out and asked them, ’Who is it you want?’ ‘Jesus of Nazareth,’ they replied. ‘I am he,’ Jesus said. When Jesus said, ’I am he,’ they drew back and fell to the ground.” (John 18:3-6, NIV)

Jesus says, “I AM HE” and the power of His name knocks a group of trained soldiers off their feet! There is power in the name of Jesus!

When Jesus says, “I AM,” He is declaring the truth of Revelation 22:13. He is the Alpha and the Omega, the First and the Last, the Beginning and the End! All throughout the Bible from the beginning to the end, Jesus is the great I AM!

friend, I came to Jesus as a child. My devotion grew and waned at different times in my life. There were times when I walked closely with I AM, and other times when I wandered off on my own. Through every decision, good and bad, Jesus kept calling to me, “I am God. I am enough. I can sustain you. I keep my promises.”

My friend, can I share a beautiful truth that Jesus has continued to teach me?  

Jesus is the beginning of all my endings.

When I finally decide to end my independence and totally depend on Him, Jesus begins a new work in my life. When I finally release my stubbornness and end my need to have things my way, Jesus begins to teach me His way. When I end my sinful decisions, Jesus begins to show me a life that is truly free. When I end my demands for timing that works for me, Jesus begins to show me that trusting His timing is always best.

My friend, I pray that you will give Jesus your beginnings and your endings. He is faithful and true. He always has been and will always be. He is the Alpha and Omega (the first and last letter of the Greek alphabet that symbolizes completeness). He is the First and the Last.

friend, Jesus authored the first breath of your life and He will be with you when you draw your final breath here on earth. For everything in the middle, make Him your great I AM.

Jesus, thank you for being our great I AM. May we embrace the miracle of every moment as we trust you with the beginning and the end. Amen.

You are a miracle!