The last of Jesus' "I AM" statements begins the Savior's "Farewell Discourse." Facing his own death, the inauguration of his resurrection kingdom, and the needs of his disciples as they begin the enterprise of the church - what needs to be said? What comfort and what challenge is Jesus' offering?

"In my Father's house are many rooms.  I am going there to prepare a place for you." These words of Jesus are among the most beloved in the Bible. They comfort us when loved one's die and when we feel overwhelmed by the troubles of life. They assure us of a destination and give us hope. But when Jesus declared "I AM the Way" to the Father's house, was he speaking about the destination, the journey, or both?  

As people who follow the Resurrected Savior, what kinds of lives are we encouraged to live? How does the hope of eternal life permeate our everyday life?  If death is not intended as the end, what should be our goal and aim in living?

Most of us do not know any shepherds and we do not have shepherding experience on our resumes.  So When Jesus claimed to be the Good Shepherd and the Sheep Gate he used images that make 21st Century North American suburban believers stretch.  But if we have found the 23rd Psalm to be a source of comfort in our lives, we are well on our way to catching why and how Jesus claims are such good news for us.

John paints in stark contrasts:  life and death, truth and lies, light and dark.  But we live in a world where, if we don't prefer the dark, we at least acknowledge the presence of a lot of grey.  What do Jesus' words mean?  What eternal claims is He making about himslf?  How is this the Good News?

Seven times in the Gospel of John we hear Jesus speak of himself as the "I AM", clearly echoing the words of God in Exodus 3 when he told Moses his namne - "I AM who I AM."  Today we consider Jesus' words, "I AM the Bread of Life."  What do we learn about God who is "I AM" in these words of Jesus?

Epiphany Sunday celebrates the fact that, in Christ, the nature of God is revealed to us. The "I am who I am" God of the Old Testament becomes concrete, embodied and at least somewhat more comprehensive to us in Christ's New Testament teaching.