invIctus
gAMes 

“I am the way and the truth and the life.”
John 14:6 (NIV)

The Invictus Games, held in September were a tribute to men and women overcoming adversity through sport.  The logo chosen highlighted the words “I AM.”  “Invictus” is a poem written by William Ernest Henley, an amputee himself, and the last two lines read “I am the master of my fate, I am the captain of my soul.”  On the Invictus Games website you will find a number of statements made by wounded soldiers such as “I AM a soldier”, “I AM a father” “I AM injured”.  These statements give us information about the person who wrote them.

John wrote his gospel in order to give us information about a person—Jesus.  “And truly Jesus did many other signs in the presence of His disciples, which are not written in this book, but these are written that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, and that believing you may have life in His name. (John 20:30,31).  Just as the Invictus Games logo highlights “I AM” so does John with seven statements made by Jesus.

6:35  I AM the Bread of Life…
8:12 and 9:5  I AM the Light of the world…
10:7, 9  I AM the gate…
10:11, 14  I AM the good shepherd…
11:25  I AM the resurrection and the life…
14:6  I AM the way and the truth and the life…
15:1, 5  I AM the (true) vine…

In chapter 8 of John’s gospel, Jesus states, “before Abraham was born, I AM!” (8:58)  This may sound like a strange statement to us, but the Jews who were listening were in no doubt that Jesus was equating himself to God, the God of Moses, who declared his name to be I AM (Exodus 3), and therefore blaspheming, so they took up stones to stone Him.

Long after the Invictus Games are forgotten the answer to the question Jesus asked Simon Peter will still be relevant in your life:  “But what about you?  Who do you say I AM.” What will your answer be?

Prayer
Dear Lord, with Simon Peter we say, “You are the Christ, the Son of the living God.”
Amen 

Study by Debbie Thomas

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About the Author:
Debbie Thomas attends the Northampton Congregation of the Worldwide Church of God UK and edits their local church magazine, ‘Signposts’.

Local Congregation:
Worldwide Church of God Northampton
Bridgewater Primary School
1 Bridgewater Drive
NORTHAMPTON
NN3 3AF

Meeting Time:
Saturday 10:30am

Local Congregational Contact:
Roger Clark
Phone:  01604-404071 Mobile:  07976-274304
Email:  elderrogerclark@aol.com