Understanding the Crucifixion of Jesus and the "I AM" Declaration
The crucifixion of Jesus Christ is deeply connected to his claims of divinity, particularly his use of the phrase "I AM." Jesus' crucifixion occurred in 1st-century Judaea, most likely around 30 or 33 AD. This execution method was carried out by Roman soldiers after Jesus was sentenced by Pontius Pilate to be scourged and crucified. The controversy leading to his execution stemmed from his declarations that seemed to equate himself with God, which Jewish religious authorities considered blasphemous. According to Jewish law in Leviticus 24:16, blasphemy was punishable by death, which led the high priest to tear his robes and call for Jesus's execution when Jesus made claims to divinity. Jesus was not directly accused of blasphemy before Pilate, but rather was charged with claiming to be the future king of Judea, a political offense against Roman authority. The Jewish religious leaders understood his "I AM" statement as a direct reference to God's self-identification in Exodus, making it a serious theological transgression in their eyes.
Historical and Cultural Background of "I AM that I AM" in Jewish Tradition
The phrase "I AM that I AM" originates from the Hebrew Bible, specifically Exodus 3:14, where God reveals Himself to Moses at the burning bush. In Hebrew, this divine self-identification is "אֶהְיֶה אֲשֶׁר אֶהְיֶה" ('ehyeh 'ăšer 'ehye), which has been variously translated as "I am who I am," "I will become what I choose to become," "I am what I am," or "I will be what I will be". This phrase represents the first of three responses given to Moses when he asks for God's name. The word אֶהְיֶה ('Ehyeh) is the first-person singular imperfective form of הָיָה (hayah), meaning "to be," which in Hebrew grammar can mean both "I am" and "I will be". The meaning of this longer phrase has been debated, potentially representing a promise ("I will be with you") or a statement of incomparability ("I am without equal").
Biblical Hebrew did not distinguish between grammatical tenses but instead had an aspectual system where perfect denoted completed actions and imperfect denoted actions not yet completed. According to many scholars, this divine name can be interpreted in multiple ways, including "I am who I am," "I am who I was," "I am who I shall be," or several other variations that reflect God's timeless nature. The phrase was of such importance that it became fundamental to Jewish understanding of God's nature as self-existent, eternal, unchanging, and beyond human comprehension.
Comparing "I AM that I AM" with "I Think, Therefore I Am"
Both "I AM that I AM" and the Roman expression "I think, therefore I am" (Cogito, ergo sum) share profound connections despite emerging from different traditions. René Descartes formulated his famous dictum in search of certain knowledge, concluding that while he could doubt everything else, he could not doubt his own existence while thinking. Descartes stated, "I am thinking, therefore I exist," as the foremost and most certain knowledge that occurs to anyone who philosophizes methodically. This philosophical statement reflects the importance of consciousness and self-awareness in affirming one's existence.
The connection between these two expressions lies in their exploration of existence and self-awareness. While "I AM that I AM" expresses God's eternal self-existence, Descartes' statement emphasizes the role of thought in confirming human existence. Both declarations serve as foundational explorations of being, with the divine "I AM" affirming God's existence as the core of reality, and Descartes' declaration highlighting rational thought as confirmation of existence. The philosophical approaches share a focus on self-awareness as an essential element of understanding existence.
Augustine of Hippo, predating Descartes by centuries, made a similar argument with his phrase "si falor, sum" ("if I am mistaken, I exist"), noting that someone who doesn't exist cannot be in error. This connection highlights the longstanding philosophical interest in understanding existence through consciousness across both theological and philosophical traditions. When these concepts are viewed together, they suggest that understanding oneself through thought leads to understanding the divine essence that permeates all existence.
Divine Intelligence as Part of Human Nature
The concept that divine intelligence resides within human beings forms a bridge between theological and philosophical understandings of existence. This perspective views the divine not as entirely separate from humanity but as intimately connected to human intelligence and consciousness. In Jewish thought, intelligence is understood as a divine quality shared with humanity, allowing humans to participate in the divine nature through rational thought. As stated by Jacob Neusner, "When man uses his mind, he is acting like God," suggesting that our intellectual capacity reflects our divine nature.
According to Thomas Aquinas, God's existence is identical to His essence—He does not have attributes such as goodness or existence but rather is goodness and existence itself. Divine simplicity holds that God's qualities are not distinct parts but are identical to His being. While humans possess qualities as attributes, in God these are His very essence—a concept that highlights the transcendent yet immanent nature of divinity. This understanding connects with the idea that human intelligence reflects divine intelligence, though in a limited manner.
The Hebrew Bible places great emphasis on rational thought and understanding, suggesting that when humans use their minds, they participate in divine activity. This perspective sees the intellect as a pathway to the sacred, with reason and critical thinking serving religious ends rather than opposing them. In this view, intellectual activity becomes a form of divine service, as humans use their God-given rational capacities to understand and improve the world. The glory of God is intelligence, and human intelligence reflects this divine attribute, offering a pathway to connect with the divine.
The Prophetic Understanding of Moses and Jesus
Both Moses and Jesus demonstrated profound understanding of the divine nature through their teachings and leadership. When Moses received God's self-identification as "I AM that I AM," he was experiencing a divine revelation that would shape the relationship between God and humanity. This revelation emphasized that God's essence is not merely abstract but actively involved in human affairs—a presence that is simultaneously transcendent and immanent. Moses served as a conduit for this understanding, bringing the concept of divine presence into concrete relationship with the people.
Jesus, in his ministry, expanded this understanding by identifying himself with the "I AM" statements, suggesting that the divine nature was manifest in human form. Jesus was understood to be both fully human and fully divine, possessing both natures in one person. His humanity was evident in his experiences of hunger, thirst, fatigue, and emotional responses. Yet his divinity was recognized in his teachings, miracles, and particularly in his use of the divine name. This dual nature reflects the theological understanding that the divine can be present within the human without diminishing either aspect.
The prophetic role of both Moses and Jesus involved helping people recognize the divine presence in their midst and within themselves. They served as bridges between the divine and human realms, demonstrating that understanding God requires intellectual engagement and spiritual insight. Both emphasized that knowledge of God is not merely abstract but relational, involving both rational understanding and personal encounter. Their teachings suggest that the divine is accessible through intelligent reflection and spiritual awareness.
The Universal Application of "I AM" for All Humanity
The assertion that every human can claim "I AM" reflects the theological perspective that all humans share in the divine essence. Jesus' claims to divinity were not meant to be exclusive but rather to illuminate the potential for divine connection available to all humanity. The true significance of Christ's divinity, according to some theological perspectives, lies in the fact that his achievement is "prophetic and promissory for every other true son of man who is willing to submit his will to the will and spirit of God". This suggests that Jesus demonstrated a potential available to all humans—to recognize and manifest the divine presence within themselves.
Christianity teaches that God's spirit dwells within believers, creating an intimate connection between the divine and human. This indwelling presence transforms human nature and enables participation in the divine life. Similarly, Judaism recognizes that the divine spark exists within each person, allowing for a profound relationship with God based on shared essence rather than mere external authority. The ability to declare "I AM" becomes a recognition of this divine presence within the self—an acknowledgment of participation in the divine nature.
This universal application of "I AM" involves recognizing that self-awareness and divine awareness are interconnected. To know oneself is to begin to know God, as the divine image is reflected in human consciousness. This understanding transforms the concept of religion from external observance to internal recognition—a journey of discovering the divine presence that already exists within. The phrase "I AM" thus becomes not merely a claim to divinity but an acknowledgment of the divine essence that permeates all human existence.
Jewish Concept of Oneness and its Relation to Divine Spirit
In Jewish thought, the concept of oneness (echad) carries profound theological implications that relate to divine presence. The number one symbolizes unity in Jewish tradition, but this unity does not exclude multiplicity. Unlike absolute mathematical oneness, the Jewish concept of one can imply a complex unity that encompasses diversity. This understanding helps explain how God can be one while being present in various forms and manifestations throughout creation.
The divine presence (Shekhinah) in Judaism represents God's immanent presence in the world, emphasizing that God dwells among His people. This concept is central to Jewish theology, highlighting that God's presence is not distant but intimately involved with creation. The Shekhinah is often associated with light, warmth, and comforting presence, perceived as a maternal aspect of God that dwells within the community and individuals. This understanding of divine presence suggests that God's unity encompasses all of creation while maintaining distinction.
God's omnipresence means that He is present everywhere at all times, as expressed in Psalm 139, which asks, "Where can I go from your Spirit? Where can I flee from your presence?". This omnipresence has both metaphysical and relational dimensions—God is present not only as the ground of all being but also as a personal presence with whom humans can have relationship. The divine spirit resides within each person, creating potential for direct communication with and experience of the divine. This indwelling presence is what makes it possible for humans to have self-awareness and to recognize their connection to the divine.
The Interconnectedness of Divinity and Human Consciousness
The interconnection between divine and human consciousness suggests that understanding oneself leads to understanding God. This perspective views human intelligence as a reflection of divine intelligence, making intellectual engagement a form of spiritual practice. Both Jewish and Christian traditions recognize that knowledge of self and knowledge of God are intimately connected, creating a feedback loop in which greater self-awareness leads to greater awareness of the divine. As Calvin noted, these two forms of knowledge "are connected together by many ties," making it difficult to determine which precedes the other.
In the Christian tradition, Jesus embodies this interconnection by being both fully human and fully divine. He demonstrates that divinity can be expressed through humanity without diminishing either aspect. This understanding challenges the notion that divine and human are separate categories, suggesting instead that they represent different dimensions of a unified reality. The incarnation reveals that God's purpose was always to bring humanity into deeper participation in the divine nature.
The philosophical statement "I think, therefore I am" and the theological declaration "I AM that I AM" both point toward this interconnection between human consciousness and divine being. When humans engage in deep thought and self-reflection, they participate in a process that connects them to the divine source of all intelligence. This connection is not merely intellectual but encompasses the whole person—mind, heart, and spirit. Understanding this interconnection leads to a profound recognition that human existence is grounded in divine being, and that human consciousness reflects, however imperfectly, the divine consciousness that permeates all reality.
The Divine Presence in All Creation
The concept that God's spirit dwells in all beings suggests a profound interconnectedness between the divine and creation. This perspective views God as "everywhere present, and at all times," with nothing in creation devoid of divine influence. The divine energy flows into all aspects of existence—"the crystal of the rock, the juices of the plant, the splendor of the stars, the life of the Bee and Behemoth". This understanding recognizes that God is not merely transcendent but also immanent, present within the very fabric of creation.
The divine presence within humanity creates the possibility for genuine relationship with God. Because humans are made in God's image, they have the capacity for self-reflection and consciousness that mirrors, in limited fashion, the divine consciousness. This creates the potential for genuine communication between God and humans, as humans possess the intellectual and spiritual capacities necessary for such relationship. The divine spark within each person forms the basis for ethical behavior, spiritual growth, and authentic relationship with both God and other humans.
This understanding of divine presence transforms the concept of religion from mere external observance to internal recognition and relationship. Religion becomes less about appeasing a distant deity and more about recognizing and cultivating the divine presence already within. This perspective sees human existence as inherently sacred, with each person carrying divine potential that can be developed through intellectual engagement, ethical behavior, and spiritual practice. The divine presence within all creation creates the possibility for transformation—not by importing something foreign but by awakening what is already present.
Conclusion: Unity in Understanding Divine and Human Nature
The crucifixion of Jesus for claiming "I AM" represents a profound intersection of theological and philosophical understandings of existence. By examining the historical and cultural background of the phrase "I AM that I AM" alongside philosophical expressions like "I think, therefore I am," we discover common threads that connect divine and human nature. Both expressions affirm the importance of self-awareness and consciousness in understanding existence, suggesting that the divine is not entirely separate from human experience but intimately connected to it.
The prophetic roles of Moses and Jesus involved helping people recognize this connection between divine and human nature. Their teachings emphasized that understanding God requires both intellectual engagement and spiritual awareness. The Jewish concept of oneness, which can imply both unity and multiplicity, provides a framework for understanding how God can be both transcendent and immanent, present within all creation while remaining distinct. This perspective recognizes that the divine spirit dwells within all beings, creating the possibility for each person to claim "I AM" as an expression of their participation in divine nature.
The interconnection between divine and human consciousness suggests that human intelligence reflects divine intelligence, making intellectual engagement a form of spiritual practice. When humans use their minds to seek truth, justice, and understanding, they participate in divine activity. This perspective transforms our understanding of religion from mere external observance to recognition of and participation in the divine life that permeates all existence. By recognizing this interconnection, we discover that the differences between theological and philosophical approaches to existence are less significant than their common recognition that understanding self leads to understanding the divine, and that human consciousness reflects, however imperfectly, the divine consciousness that is the ground of all being
