Since I first heard "Blessed Be" by Jason Gray from his album All the Lovely Losers, I have been hooked by his songs' emotional and biblical messages. That song was the eighth one I featured for my "Behind the Song" devotional article series, which started in March 2008. Since then, I have featured many more of Jason's songs, and now this is our 22nd devotional. It makes Jason the most featured artist over the past sixteen years, with 1,202 song devotionals.
Jason is an anointed songwriter and singer with a profound way of piercing my soul with his poignant words, tender singing, and inspirational truths. He has returned with Land of the Living, which includes the singles “Place for Me,” “Be Kind,” and “Good Man.” Like his previous releases, the album's central theme is finding our identity in Christ, being honest and transparent with ourselves and others, and allowing God's grace to shine by demonstrating how His strength is made perfect in our weakness. I spoke with Jason about his new song, “Jesus Loves You (And I’m Trying).”
Please tell me the personal story behind this song.
I will think of specific people I know struggling with this or that. And I think, ‘If I were to have a conversation with that person, would these words I’m singing ring true?’ If I remember correctly, it reveals the less true lines. During the Covid-19 crisis, I made myself available to play concerts in backyards. This song started when I was attending an outside concert, and a man was wearing a t-shirt that said, “Jesus Loves You, and I’m Trying.”
I told him I loved the shirt, and the man sent me one. Upon hearing it, I assume you can think of someone you find challenging to love. I noticed I resonated with the concept. I love many singer-songwriter songs that use humor to get to something truthful. There aren’t a lot of Christian songs like that, and I wanted to try it.
One of the greatest gifts Jesus gave humanity was reminding us not to be hypocrites. Before you worry about the speck in someone else’s eye, fear about the log in your own eye. I recognize that what we don't like about ourselves often irritates us about others.
Which Bible verses connect to the message of the song?
Colossians 3:12 (VOICE): "Since you are all set apart by God, made holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with a holy way of life: compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience."
1 John 4:21 (NIV): "And He has given us this command: Anyone who loves God must also love their brother and sister."
Philippians 4:7 (NKJV): "And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus."
Matthew 25:40 (NIV): The King will reply, "Truly I tell you, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for Me."
Romans 2:4 (NIV): "Or do you show contempt for the riches of His kindness, forbearance, and patience, not realizing that God's kindness is intended to lead you to repentance?"
Matthew 11:29-30 (NKJV): "Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For My yoke is easy, and My burden is light."
Luke 6:35 (NIV): "But love your enemies, do good to them, and lend to them without expecting to get anything back. Then your reward will be great, and you will be children of the Highest because He is kind to the ungrateful and wicked."
1 John 1:9 (NIV): "If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just and will forgive and purify us from all unrighteousness."
2 Corinthians 5:17 (NIV): "Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, the new creation has come: The old has gone, the new is here!"
What is the takeaway message?
The song begins by addressing the toxicity of online discussions in the comment section. It then finds its way to the real world with an example of an obnoxious family member and ends with me realizing that I’m the one who needs the message. In verse one, I hope people are on my side. In verse two, they may not think I’m being very nice by calling out my uncle.
My hope is subconscious; they feel like I went too far. Ideally, you accomplish a turn toward empathy because you realize people misbehave sometimes. After all, they are broken and lonely. By the song's end, I’ve turned the message onto myself.
Lyrics
Here you come again, raising trouble in my comments section I know I can always count on you To be the final word on public health, religion, and elections You even brought a YouTube clip for proof I want to bring the heat; I stop and take a beat I type, then I delete Until I find a way to say a kind thing without lying “Yes, Jesus loves you, and I’m trying.”
They say that every family has to have that one obnoxious uncle You have the distinction of being mine Lame magic tricks and politics, big stories about how you’re humble When it’s time to eat, you cut in line The first one back for more, the last one out the door It’s been that way since the divorce So I’ll laugh at the jokes you tell to keep yourself from crying “Yes, Jesus loves you, and I’m trying.”
It’s less about a feeling and more about deciding And that’s not always easy to do ‘Cause love is most alive in me when it feels the most like dying If I say I love the one who died for you, might help if I believe it for me, too
It’s like the song says it begins right here with the man in the mirror If I hope to love my neighbor well ‘Cause I’ve lived long enough to learn the faults I find in others Are the same things I don’t like about myself My shame goes on parade when I need someone to blame But grace whispers my name God help me speak these words into the parts of me I’m hiding “Yes, Jesus loves me, yes Jesus loves me, oh yes, Jesus loves me, and I’m trying.”
Closing Thoughts
Suppose you appreciate singer-songwriters who express their emotions and sing about their experiences walking with God and striving for salvation. In that case, check out Jason Gray, one of the most cherished artists in Christian music.
Through this song, Jason has once again shared his story of faith through music. It portrays his unique and skillful way of expressing the truth of the Gospel to those who will listen. Jason is one of my favorite Christian songwriters because his songs are heartfelt and genuine.
As I listened to this song, it challenged me to consider how I am caring for those who are in need. Jesus commands believers to love one another just as He loved us and to show this love by helping people who cannot help themselves. By doing so, we can reflect God's love for others. We should also seek God in those often overlooked, as Jesus reminds us in Matthew 25:40 (NIV): "Truly I tell you, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me."
When you acknowledge God's sovereignty in your life, you will have the right mindset to forget about yourself and focus on the needs of others. This is God's heart: to care for the oppressed, victimized, and the least of these. Looking at the injustice in this world through God's eyes, you cannot help but be moved to act. Jesus commands us to love others as He loved us and to show His love by helping those who cannot help themselves. There is so much injustice in this world on so many levels. As the hymn says, "They'll know we are Christians by our love."
“Jesus Loves You (And I’m Trying)” is a reflective offering of praise to the only one who has the power to save. It’s a very singable song, and I love singing the emotional lyrics.
This song is about realizing that if your eyes are open to the needs of others around you, and if you serve others and care about people more than thinking about your doubts, then you can live out the life-giving words of this song, “It begins right here with the man in the mirror if I hope to love my neighbor well. ‘Cause I’ve lived long enough to learn the faults I find in others are the same things I don’t like about myself/My shame goes on parade, when I need someone to blame/But grace whispers my name/God help me speak these words into the parts of me I’m hiding/Yes Jesus loves me, yes Jesus loves me, Oh yes Jesus loves me, And I’m trying.” Amen to that.
NRT lead contributor Kevin Davis is a long-time Christian music fan and an avid 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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