Do you know who I am?

And He asked them, “But who do you say that I am?” Peter answered Him, ‘You are the Christ.’” (Mark 8:29 ESV)
An elderly woman walked into a local country church. A friendly usher greeted her at the door and helped her up the flight of steps. “Where would you like to sit today?” he asked politely.
“I vould like to sit in de front row please,” she replied.
“Are you sure you want to do that?” the usher asked. “The pastor can be really boring sometimes.”
“Do you know who I am?” the woman inquired.
“No,” said the usher. “I don’t believe we’ve ever met.”
“I am Reverend Gustav’s mother,” she replied.
“Do you know who I am?” he asked.
“No, I do not,” she said.
“Good,” he answered.
Exodus Ch. 3 tells the story of how God called to Moses from a burning bush to lead the Israelites out of their captivity in Egypt. Moses asked, “If I come to the people and say to them, ‘The God of your fathers has sent me to you’ and they ask me, ‘What is His name?’ what shall I say?” God said to Moses, “I am who I am.” And He said, “Say this to the people of Israel, ‘I am has sent me to you.’”
In the New Testament Jesus also used many “I am” examples in His teaching. He said, “I am the way, and the truth, and the life; I am the bread of life; I am the light of the world; I am the vine, you are the branches; I am the good shepherd; I am gently and lowly; I am among you as the one who serves; I am with you always; I am the resurrection and the life.”
Jesus also used “I am” statements to define His and our relationships to God the Father. He said, “I am the Christ; I am the Son of God; I am in the Father and the Father is in Me; I am praying for those whom You have given Me, for they are Yours.”
Gracious Savior, I am Yours. We are Yours. Be our gentle shepherd. Lead us and guide us. You are the vine. Let us, Your branches, grow deeply and securely in You, sustained by the life-giving grace and joy that pours from Your heart. Strengthen and keep us in Your abiding love. In Jesus’ name we pray, Amen.