The Apostle John recorded seven "I Am" statements made by Christ as He spoke metaphorically of who He is in relationship to mankind. The focus of this book begins, in Section One, with brief essays that explore each of these seven statements within the literary context of the texts themselves, and within the historical context of Jesus' ministry in that time and place. "Discussion Questions" are included at the end for use in either individual or group readings.

During the research and study of these seven statements, it became clear that there are various interpretations particularly of the first and last of these statements, some of which stemmed from misinterpretations of the Scripture passages that contain those statements. The writer sensed a need for providing more extensive essays within this book, focused on those two statements in particular.

Therefore, Section One is followed by two sections that explore in more detail the first and seventh of the "I Am" statements, and the introductions to each of those sections will explain why we should consider them more extensively. Section Two, entitled "The Bread of Life: A Consistent Sense of John 6," presents a more detailed commentary on John 6:26?69. Section Three, entitled "Branches of the Vine: A Fresh Look at John 15," then presents a more detailed commentary on John 15:1?17.

Thank you for considering these metaphors of Christ's character. This book is also now available in print (through Xlibris Publishing), and it is also being translated as e-books in Spanish, French, and German, as well as Hindi.