Silent I Am

There are few heirs born who serve as king.  Many kings have come to power by usurping the throne, subverting the throne, or undermining the throne.  It would seem kings by inheritance are rare.  Though king is a title of envy it describes the chief servant of any kingdom and a title of great statesmanship, hospitality, and accomplishment.  A king must place the kingdom and his people above himself.  A good king then is rarer than even an heir ascending the throne.  Yet, there is not one king that would deny his title or his right to wear it, is there?

…Fear not, Abram: I am thy shield, and thy exceeding great reward.  Gen. 15:1

…I am the LORD that brought thee out ...  Gen. 15:7

…the LORD appeared to Abram, and said unto him, I am the Almighty God; walk before me, and be thou perfect.  Gen. 17:1

…I am the God of Abraham thy father: fear not, for I am with thee …  Gen. 26:24

…I am the LORD God of Abraham thy father, and the God of Isaac …  Gen. 28:13

…I am the God of Bethel, where thou anointedst the pillar …  Gen. 31:13

…I am the God of thy father, the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob. And Moses hid his face; for he was afraid to look upon God.  Ex. 3:6

And God said unto Moses, I AM THAT I AM: and he said, Thus shalt thou say unto the children of Israel, I AM hath sent me unto you.  Ex. 3:14

…that ye may know how that I am the LORD.  Ex. 10:2

…I am the LORD that healeth thee.  Ex. 15:26

…And they shall know that I am the LORD their God…  Ex. 29:46

…I am the LORD that doth sanctify you.  Ex. 31:13

For I am the LORD your God: ye shall therefore sanctify yourselves, and ye shall be holy; for I am holy …  Lev. 11:44

See now that I, even I, am he, and there is no god with me: I kill, and I make alive; I wound, and I heal: neither is there any that can deliver out of my hand.  For I lift up my hand to heaven, and say, I live for ever.  Deut. 32:39, 40

… I am thy salvation.  Psalm 35:3

This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased.  Matt. 3:17

… I am not come to destroy, but to fulfill.  Matt. 5:17

… I am not come to call the righteous, but sinners to repentance.  Matt. 9:13

... I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls.  Matt. 11:29

… But whom say ye that I am?  And Simon Peter answered and said, Thou art the Christ, the Son of the living God.  Matt. 16:15, 16

And he said, Take heed that ye be not deceived: for many shall come in my name, saying, I am Christ; and the time draweth near: go ye not therefore after them.  Luke 21:8

These are but a few instances of “I am”.  The Bible is full of I AM.  The Word was given of The Great I Am who would pay the price of kingship; who would pay sin’s price to redeem a unique people; He who serves before He reigns.  There is no king worthy to be king who proclaims himself king.  Who proclaims Christ king?  Friend and foe alike have declared it.  Hell’s lost lift up eyes searching for He whom they had denied.  Heaven resounds with the cries of praise for the Lamb and Lion of the tribe of Judah.  Yet, for references to I AM in God’s Word, the most profound of proclamations, the loudest affirmation, and the most explosive expression is the one most worthy; the absent and silent I AM that Jesus never said.

And Pilate asked him, saying, Art thou the King of the Jews? And he answered him and said, Thou sayest it.  Luke 23:3

Soon after this they nailed I AM to a cruel cross; He did not, could not, and would not say, “I am”, but did not, could not, and would not deny it.

Luke 23, 24