Linked Together: "I Am"

Here are two pieces on Jesus’ “I am” statements in the gospel of John. They each use an argument from context to come to opposite conclusions regarding Jesus’ use of “I am” in John 18:5-6. Which argument do you find more persuasive?

Mounce
“[I]s Jesus referencing God’s name in 18:5? I doubt it. There is nothing in the context that suggests this.” Read more from Bill Mounce at Koinonia.

Kruger
“[W]hen Jesus is arrested in the garden, he declares in 18:6: ‘I am he (ego eimi).’ While most readers would miss the connection here, the response of the soldiers gives us a clue to what is meant: ‘When Jesus said to them, “I am he (ego eimi)” they drew back and fell to the ground’ (18:6).” Read more from Michael Kruger at Canon Fodder.

Heidelberg Catechism

Question 3. From where do you know your sins and misery?

Answer: From the law of God. (a)

(Click through to see scriptural proofs.)

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Sunday's Hymn: In the Hour of Trial

In the hour of trial, Jesus, plead for me,
Lest by base denial I depart from Thee.
When Thou seest me waver, with a look recall,
Nor for fear or favor suffer me to fall.

With forbidden pleasures would this vain world charm,
Or its sordid treasures spread to work me harm,
Bring to my remembrance sad Gethsemane,
Or, in darker semblance, cross-crowned Calvary.

Should Thy mercy send me sorrow, toil and woe,
Or should pain attend me on my path below,
Grant that I may never fail Thy hand to see;
Grant that I may ever cast my care on Thee.

When my last hour cometh, fraught with strife and pain,
When my dust returneth to the dust again,
On Thy truth relying, through that mortal strife,
Jesus, take me, dying, to eternal life.

—James Mont­gom­e­ry

Other hymns, worship songs, sermons etc. posted today:

• Scandal of Grace at The Happy Wonderer
• Nothing but the Blood at Gospel Grace
• Glory to His Name at By Grace Alone
• The Lord’s Prayer: The Fourth Petition at Tried With Fire 
• Lord’s Day 37, 2013 at The Thirsty Theologian
• The Puritans: John Bunyan at Challies.com
• You Weekly Dose of Spurgeon at Pyromaniacs: How safe are those who trust in God!

Have you posted a hymn (or sermon, sermon notes, prayer, etc.) today and I missed it? Let me know by leaving a link in the comments or by contacting me using the contact form linked above, and I’ll add your post to the list.