In the opening words of his gospel, Mark presents the reader with Jesus Christ, the Son of God, and never loses sight of the divine nature and authority of Jesus as he preaches with amazing authority, exorcizes demons, heals the sick, feeds the hungry, restores the dead to life and finally, defeats death and evil. The divine nature and authority of Jesus, the Word of God, the only Son of the Father, the Messiah, is shown in many vivid ways in John's gospel. There are seven great 'I AM' sayings of Jesus about himself some of which refer to his divine nature. Jesus says that he is the Bread of Life (6:35), the Light of the World (8:12), the Door for the Sheep (10:7), the Good Shepherd (10:11), the Resurrection and the Life (11:25), the Way, the Truth and the Life (14:6), the True Vine (15:1). The great 'I AM' sayings of 8:24 and 8:58 link with all the others for Jesus says plainly that he is from God. In chapter 1 Jesus of Nazareth is identified with the Word, the Father's only Son, the Messiah, the Lamb of God, the King of Israel, the Son of Man. Thomas calls the risen Christ, 'Lord and God' (20:28). The unique relationship of Jesus to his Father is a very important theme of the gospel, illustrated in such passages as 5:19-23, 6:29, 10:17-18, 12:4450, and the discourses and great prayer of chapters 13-17. Jesus sends and gives the Holy Spirit (16:7, 20:22). Jesus' divine origin is repeatedly referred to in such passages as 1 :1-18,1 :51,3:13,6:37,6:69,8:24,10:36,14:9-10,17:5,18. He acts with deliberation and total obedience to his Father (10:17-18, 17:4, 19:30). He knows that he will return to his Father (14:3, 17:11, 13).

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