Syncopating the scriptures…

Let’s see what happens when we search for the off beat in the Gospel of John.  One of the main beats that John built in to the telling of the life of Jesus was the "I Am" statements of Jesus.

• "I Am" (Jn. 8.58)
• "I am the bread of life" (Jn 6.32-35)
• "I am the light of the world" (Jn. 12.32-36)
• "I am the gate and the good shepherd" (Jn. 10)
• "I am the resurrection and the life" (Jn. 11)
• "I am the true vine" (Jn. 15)

one…    two…   three…   four…

We usually read these and only hear the main beats.  Which means that we are enriched by all the understanding that these statements bring to our understanding of who Jesus was and is to us.

If Jesus is the "I Am" then we are to recall Moses and the burning bush.  If he is the "bread of life" then Jesus is our manna.  If we are to see Christ as the "light of the world" then Jesus is hoping that we understand the Feast of Tabernacles and role that the candles played in that Jewish feast.

But I believe that in addition to these "main beats" there is also an "off beat."  It isn’t that there is hidden meaning, just meaning that is usually missed because of where we place the accent.

one…    two…    three…    four…

        and        and           and

Do you hear anything else in these statements of Jesus?  What if he was not only telling us something about himself but also something about ourselves as well?

Do you hear it?  Jesus gives us a big hint in the last "I am" statement…Jn. 15.1 & 5.