It’s the last night that Jesus is with his disciples. Jesus has washed their feet and given them final instructions. The last thing he does is pray.

In his prayer, Jesus reflects on what he’s done: “I have made your name known….” Throughout the Gospel of John, Jesus has made God’s name known by making himself known. In this Gospel, far more than in the others, Jesus says “I am”—just as God said “I AM WHO I AM” when Moses asked for God’s name (Exodus 3:14).

In the next chapter, Pilate asks Jesus, “Are you the King of the Jews?” But this is one title Jesus has not claimed. Pilate misses the opportunity to ask Jesus directly, “Who are you?” and instead focuses on rumors and reports about Jesus by other people. Pilate fails to see that it doesn’t matter who other people say Jesus is; it only matters who Jesus says he is.

Jesus says, “I am.”

By Julie Ball from D365