“I am” = is very emphatic and, as Morris points out, “has overtones of divinity.” John quotes several of the “I am” statements of Jesus: #6:35,41,48,51; 8:12; 10:7,9,11,14; 11:25; 14:6; 15:1,5. Each statement develops more fully the nature and mission of Jesus.

Joh 6:35  Then Jesus declared, “I am the bread of life. He who comes to me will never go hungry, and he who believes in me will never be thirsty.

Joh 6:41  At this the Jews began to grumble about him because he said, “I am the bread that came down from heaven.”

Joh 6:48  I am the bread of life.

Joh 6:51  I am the living bread that came down from heaven. If anyone eats of this bread, he will live for ever. This bread is my flesh, which I will give for the life of the world.”

Joh 8:12  When Jesus spoke again to the people, he said, “I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness, but will have the light of life.”

Joh 10:7  Therefore Jesus said again, “I tell you the truth, I am the gate for the sheep.

Joh 10:9  I am the gate; whoever enters through me will be saved. He will come in and go out, and find pasture.

Joh 10:11  “I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep.

Joh 10:14  “I am the good shepherd; I know my sheep and my sheep know me—

Joh 11:25  Jesus said to her, “I am the resurrection and the life. He who believes in me will live, even though he dies;

Joh 14:6  Jesus answered, “I am the way and the truth and the life. No-one comes to the Father except through me.

Joh 15:1  “I am the true vine, and my Father is the gardener.

Joh 15:5  “I am the vine; you are the branches. If a man remains in me and I in him, he will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing.

“never” is also emphatic. Weymouth translates it as “shall never, never thirst.” Receiving Christ removes the possibility of ever thirsting or ever hungering again because the need is fully and completely met.

By contrast, Wisdom is quoted in Sirach 24:21 as saying, “Those who eat me will hunger for more, and those who drink me will thirst for more.” The passage goes on to later define Wisdom as the Law. (v. 23) Jesus satisfies as the Law never could, nor was it intended so. Only He can fill that void which is within man. Jesus is not excluding a further desire for spiritual things, but He does eliminate the possibility of an unsatisfied hungering and thirsting within those who come to Him.

Jesus is not making an abstract statement here; He is making an appeal. Are you hungering and thirsting for something which you have not yet found? Come to Jesus and He will satisfy that need. It’s an open invitation. He alone is the One Who satisfies and He does so fully and completely.