I AM

"Your father Abraham rejoiced to see my day: and he saw it, and was glad.

“Then said the Jews unto him, Thou art not yet fifty years old, and hast thou seen Abraham? [Abraham lived approximately 2000 years earlier.]

“Jesus said unto them, Verily, verily, I say unto you, Before Abraham was, I am.

“Then took they up stones to cast at him: but Jesus hid himself, and went out of the temple, going through the midst of them, and so passed by." - John 8:56-59 KJV

Why did the Jews take up stones to cast at Jesus?

Because they understood that Jesus was letting them know He is God - “I AM.”

"And God said unto Moses, I AM THAT I AM: and he said, Thus shalt thou say unto the children of Israel, I AM hath sent me unto you." - Exodus 3:14 KJV

It is actually very important to recognize that Jesus is God manifest in flesh, the image of the invisible God. 

"I said therefore unto you, that ye shall die in your sins: for if ye believe not that I am he, ye shall die in your sins." - John 8:24 KJV

In this verse the word “he” is italicized, meaning that the translator added this word because they felt it made a better translation. (There is no Strong’s for this word in this sentence.) “Most authorities associate this with Ex 3:14, I AM WHO I AM” (NASB95), I AM. 

"And God said unto Moses, I AM THAT I AM: and he said, Thus shalt thou say unto the children of Israel, I AM hath sent me unto you." - Exodus 3:14 KJV