[morkfork]

But does the “I am” comment refer to him being God or just a part of God’s plan??

Now God is defined in the OT as the Great I Am. So is it “
Before Abraham was born, God.

Something to ponder....

[spunkets]

"But does the “I am” comment refer to him being God or just a part of God’s plan?? Now God is defined in the OT as the Great I Am."I Am is God's name. It is not a definition of God. In addition to being His name, it also refers to His having existed "before Abraham was born".

"But when you see me, you see my father. His influence, his personality, his ways...... Did Jesus mean this literally or metaphorically???

Literally. Jesus is the person who is God.