Multi-generational band, We the Kingdom invites listeners to become a part of God's family through their latest song, "Jesus Does," featured on their eponymous sophomore album. The group's first studio album, released in 2020, included hit songs such as "Holy Water," “Child of Love,” and “Dancing on the Waves.” Their musical roots date back almost five decades, when the group's patriarch, Ed Cash, and his younger brother Scott, grew up in a home filled with music, inspiring their teenage dreams of becoming rock stars.
In his youth, Ed strayed from his Christian upbringing and turned to drugs and alcohol, but a tragic loss of a close friend to a heroin overdose shook him and helped him turn his life around. He said about the experience: “I thank God that for whatever reason He spared me, He rescued me.”
The band comprises five members: Franni, Martin, Ed, Scott, the same family, and their friend, Andrew Bergthold. Each member brings their unique personality and aspirations to the group, spanning five generations.
We the Kingdom's music is uplifting and inspiring, and each song carries a message of hope. Their upbeat musical style features solid and distinctive vocals layered over one catchy melody after another. At Winter Jam in Reading, Pennsylvania, I spoke with Ed, Scott, Andrew, and Martin about their latest hit, "Jesus Does."
Please tell me the personal story behind this song.
Andrew: We were on a road trip to a men’s retreat, and we were talking, and the idea of the song title “Jesus Does” came up, and we realized that would be a brilliant concept for a song. We wrote it originally on that trip to and from the men’s retreat, but the chorus was different. It always felt a little off. Years later, Martin suggested we change the chorus to have more of a high-praise hook.
Scott: As a child, do you remember sitting on a beach, drawing in the sand with your finger, and creating rivers and valleys? It's a beautiful reminder of how God, the ultimate poet, can shape and carve whatever He desires in His creation.
For this song, we considered God a poet in what He creates and how He treats us. He’s a poet, a creator, and a lover. The verses reflect on God's poetry, while the chorus expresses our response to praise. No poetry we can create can rival the poetry of God, but we can offer Him our praise, which is a gift He has given us to give back to Him.
Which Bible verses connect to the message of the song?
1 Corinthians 8:6(NKJV): “Yet for us, there is one God, the Father, of whom are all things, and we for Him; and one Lord Jesus Christ, through whom are all things, and through whom we live.”
Psalm 34:18(NKJV): “The Lord is near to those who have a broken heart and saves such as have a contrite spirit.”
Psalm 113:3(NKJV): “From the rising of the sun to its going down, the Lord’s name is to be praised.”
Acts 4:12(NKJV): “Nor is there salvation in any other, for there is no other name under heaven given among men by which we must be saved."
John 18:36(VOICE): "My kingdom is not recognized in this world. If this were My kingdom, My servants would be fighting for My freedom. But My kingdom is not in this physical realm."
Hebrews 13:8(NKJV): “Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today, and forever.”
Ephesians 2:13-16(NKJV): "But now in Christ Jesus, you who once were far off have been brought near by the blood of Christ. For He Himself is our peace, who has made both one and has broken down the middle wall of separation, having abolished in His flesh the enmity, that is, the law of commandments contained in ordinances, so as to create in Himself one new man from the two, thus making peace, and that He might reconcile them both to God in one body through the cross, thereby putting to death the enmity."
Romans 15:13(NIV): “May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in Him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.”
Philippians 3:20(NLV): "But we are citizens of heaven. Christ, the One Who saves from the punishment of sin, will be coming down from heaven again. We are waiting for Him to return."
Romans 8:28(VOICE): “We are confident that God is able to orchestrate everything to work toward something good and beautiful when we love Him and accept His invitation to live according to His plan.”
Romans 8:38-39 (VOICE): "For I have every confidence that nothing—not death, life, heavenly messengers, dark spirits, the present, the future, spiritual powers, height, depth, nor any created thing—can come between us and the love of God revealed in the Anointed, Jesus our Lord."
What is the takeaway message?
Ed: The song’s chorus has a Trinitarian nature—even though it’s titled "Jesus Does." Jesus provides access to the entire Godhead. I’ve been thinking about the word “does”, a present and active word. There’s something powerful about the presence of Christ in our lives. Recently, I saw a sign at a doctor's office that read, “depression is living in the past, anxiety is living in the future, and to be at peace is to live in the present.” Jesus is the Prince of Peace; if we want to live in peace, we must learn to live in the present. I’ve been striving to live in the moment, inviting Christ into every aspect of my daily life. Doing so has the power to change everything.
Andrew: I’ve been thinking about Jesus’ ministry and dependence on the Father. As this song discusses, everything He did was through the Father’s will. There are so many needs, and like Jesus, we have access to the Father through the Holy Spirit to ask Him to show us His will and direct our steps. I love the journey that the song takes you on, to walk with the Father through the Spirit. My takeaway from this song is for people to have hope, which is living and breathing. Jesus is our hope. I want that to be the takeaway for people. I have a Friend in Jesus.
Scott: It's interesting to note that despite living in modern times, we have become more isolated than ever before. When you combine COVID-19 with social media, you create islands, and being alone is terrifying. Witchcraft and the occult are a community, and it’s astounding. As the body of Christ, we have a real opportunity and responsibility to participate actively in our community.
Lyrics
Who tells the sun to rise every morning Colors the sky with the shades of His glory Wakes us with mercy and love Jesus does
Who holds the orphan, comforts the widow Cries for injustice feels every sorrow Carries the pain of His children Jesus Does
So, we sing Praise to the Father Who gave us the Son Praise to the Spirit Who’s living in us When I was a sinner He saved me From who I was Yeah, that’s what Jesus does
Who understands the heart of the sinner? Showers His grace over all our mistakes Washes us clean with His blood Jesus does
Who sings the song of sweet forgiveness Who stole the keys to hell and the grave Who has the power to save Jesus does
Oh, what a Friend Oh, what a Savior He’s always been good He’s always been faithful He came to my rescue When I needed Him most And saved my soul
Closing Thoughts
When we sing the song, we should do so in complete submission, making Jesus the Lord of our lives and pointing every activity and thought to Him. We raise our hands to celebrate and surrender, confident in God's unfailing mercy and love. We can confidently lift our hands to God and know His mercy is unfailing. His love is never-ending. He’s our refuge and our strength.
Nothing we have been given is more valuable than our salvation. This song reflects how much Jesus endured for His bride to purchase us from the grave. It's a foretaste of the beautiful ending we are all running toward as we finish the race set before us. Worship is about giving God our best, offering all of ourselves to Him. That is a sweet aroma of praise. He created us to worship Him.
When you sing, do you do so in complete submission or sing the words? When you sing the song, don't just sing it; know it and live it out. Make Jesus the Lord of your life. Make every activity and thought point to Him. The song's message challenges us to think about our doubts. And how Jesus calls us to rely on Him and the power of His resurrection. It reminds us to remember that Jesus has overcome death and fear.
As a believer, know that heaven is calling out to you. He’s real, and He’s nearby. He’s the author of our lives and knows what's best for us—much better than we do. That's the reason to sing this empowering anthem in gratefulness to Him.
The song's message is to hold on to Christ as something better comes. The grace and promise that God is with us are proclaimed in the lyrics: “Who understands the heart of the sinner/Showers His grace over all our mistakes/Washes us clean with His blood/Jesus does/Who sings the song of sweet forgiveness/Who stole the keys to hell and the grave/Who has the power to save/Jesus does.” This message is what moves me and guides me in my Christian walk. Live every day for heaven, and don’t forget that Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today, and forever.
If you're looking for a firm foundation in your life, make these lyrics your prayer: “Oh what a Friend/Oh what a Savior/He’s always been good/He’s always been faithful/He came to my rescue/When I needed Him most/And saved my soul.” Amen to that.
NRT lead contributor Kevin Davis is a longtime Christian music fan and an avid music collector. He credits the message of Christian music for leading him to Christ. He lives in Pennsylvania with his wife and three daughters.
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