The reality is in Christ.

[MoreCoffee]

Let no man therefore judge you in meat, or in drink, or in respect of an holyday, or of the new moon, or of the sabbath days: Which are a shadow of things to come; but the body is of Christ. (Colossians 2:16-17)

I know that the above verses are not exactly about similes, metaphors, or parables but have you given much thought to how they might apply to verses such as these?

Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls.(Matthew 11:29)

and declared, "This fellow said, 'I am able to destroy the temple of God and rebuild it in three days.' "(Matthew 26:61)

He trusts in God. Let God rescue him now if he wants him, for he said, 'I am the Son of God.' "(Matthew 27:43)

and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age."(Matthew 28:20)

You don't know what you are asking, Jesus said. "Can you drink the cup I drink or be baptised with the baptism I am baptised with?"(Mark 10:38)

We can, they answered. Jesus said to them, "You will drink the cup I drink and be baptised with the baptism I am baptized with,(Mark 10:39)

John replied in the words of Isaiah the prophet, "I am the voice of one calling in the desert, 'Make straight the way for the Lord.' "(John 1:23)

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.(John 6:35)

I am the bread of life.(John 6:48)

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

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."(John 8:12)

But he continued, "You are from below; I am from above. You are of this world; I am not of this world.(John 8:23)

While I am in the world, I am the light of the world."(John 9:5)

Therefore Jesus said again, "I tell you the truth, I am the gate for the sheep.(John 10:7)

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

I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep.(John 10:11)

I am the good shepherd; I know my sheep and my sheep know me--(John 10:14)

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

You call me 'Teacher' and 'Lord,' and rightly so, for that is what I am.(John 13:13)

Jesus answered, "I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.(John 14:6)

Believe me when I say that I am in the Father and the Father is in me; or at least believe on the evidence of the miracles themselves.(John 14:11)

I am the true vine, and my Father is the gardener.(John 15:1)

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.(John 15:5)​