Listen Carefully

Do you recall the time when you first discovered an echo? I’m not sure I do either, but I do remember having fun trying out that new found phenomena. Whether I was in a canyon or a cave, maybe even a school gymnasium, it was fun to shout something and listen as the words rang back to me multiple times. “Hello, hello, hello, hello”, as I call out and the sound slowly fades when it bounces from one side to another. I’m sure I tried all sorts of sounds and phrases just to hear my echo. It didn’t matter what word I shouted, it repeatedly kept coming back.

The Great “I AM”

Jesus used his voice to create an echo to clearly describe that He was the living God to the Pharisees in John 8:58. He tells them “Truly, truly, I say to you, before Abraham was, I am.” And a great echo it was…. I am, I am, I am, I am, as Jesus proceeds to tell the world who He is with that echo through the gospel of John… “I am the bread of life,” John 6:35. Jesus, as the Bread of Life, offers each of us life everlasting. “I am the light of the world,” John 8:12. Jesus as the Light of the World, offers a choice between the darkness of sin and the glistening light of His presence. “I am the door,” John 10:9. Jesus is that Door that offers the true path to salvation. “I am the Good Shepherd,” John 10:11. Jesus, as the Good Shepherd, died to save each of us. “I am the resurrection and the life,” John 11:25. Jesus, the Resurrection and the Life, will raise all who believe in the last days. “I am the way, the truth, and the life,” John 14:6. Jesus is the Way, the Truth, and the Life, is God, and is our only source of salvation. “I am the vine,” John 15:5. Jesus, as the Vine, our source of life… today and life everlasting.

My “I Am”

This echo however, does not fade away like mine in the canyon. Jesus’ echo continues loud and clear since the day Moses asked God’s name and He said, “I am who I am…. and thus I am to be remembered throughout all generations.” Exodus 3:13-15. How blessed we are to have heard this life-giving echo and how blessed others will be if they hear it too. In fact, now I can shout my own “I am” echo… I am loved, I am forgiven, I am justified, I am declared righteous, I am redeemed, I am, I am, I am, given life by the blood of God’s only Son, Jesus Christ. That message my friends is worth standing on a mountain top and shouting and hearing that echo over and over again. Dear Lord, thank you for the echo telling me who you areand what you have done for me. Help me to share that message with all who will hear, time and time again. Amen.