Leanna Crawford is an up-and-coming pop artist who has captured the attention of many with her unique sound. GRAMMY-nominated and Dove Award winner Matthew West recognized her talent and began working with her to develop her skills. As a result, she was signed as the first female artist on Matthew’s Story House Collective's roster. Her self-titled EP, released in 2020, has been her most successful album to date, featuring hit songs such as “Truth I’m Standing On,” “Photoshop," and "Mean Girls.” I have featured all these songs in the past Behind The Song devotionals.
Leanna recently married NBA player Cody Zeller. She has also released new singles, including “Before I Knew Jesus,” “Simple,” and “How Can You Not,” which are part of her upcoming album. Her encouragement shines through every song, with upbeat and infectious melodies layered beneath her strong and distinguished vocals.
The artist has emerged as one of the top new female vocalists in Christian music. She has created music that ministers to anyone struggling with fear and self-doubt. Each song showcases her excellent singing voice; you can hear her smile as she delivers one infectious song after another. Her music’s musical arrangements perfectly accentuate Leanna's powerful and passionate songs, making them a layered and enjoyable experience for listeners.
Leanna’s songwriting is genuine and vulnerable, and her upbeat songs are a great way to celebrate our freedom in Christ. She is a superb role model for girls, and her biblically-inspired lyrics resonate with young people. Recently, I spoke with Leanna about her song "Jesus Is."
Please tell me the personal story behind this song.
"Jesus Is" is special to me, especially when we wrote it. I co-wrote it with one of my good friends, with whom I also wrote “Simple.” This is a special song, but it wasn’t easy to write. We got together two or three times to finish writing the music to ensure we were saying it right.
I went to Israel in November 2022. When I returned, we were in a room writing together. I talked about how the Bible had come to life for me on that trip.
He had the idea of writing a song about who Jesus is, what Jesus did, and where Jesus is. We started writing the music, and it became a modern hymn. It sounds like a hymn, but the song doesn't intend to be one. The first verse we wrote was the third verse, the story of the Prodigal and how He’s not afraid to get mud on His robe.
I see myself in all the verses. It’s not a typical song; I usually start with a chorus and then write verses. We wrote the third verse, the other two verses, and the chorus.
We wrote the verses and were thoughtful about where we placed them. In the second verse, we wrote about the scoundrels, drunkards, lepers, and me. I identify with that verse, even though I usually wouldn’t write a song with those words in a song. It doesn’t feel weird. It feels like a hymn.
Which Bible verses connect to the message of the song?
Philippians 3:8-9 (NIV): "What is more, I consider everything a loss compared to the surpassing greatness of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord, for whose sake I have lost all things. I consider them rubbish, that I may gain Christ and be found in him, not having a righteousness of my own that comes from the law, but that which is through faith in Christ–the righteousness that comes from God and is by faith."
Philippians 1:21 (NIV): "For me, to live is Christ, and to die is gain."
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."
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."
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.”
What is the takeaway message?
I see Jesus on the cross, and He’s the most wonderful man and Son of God, who walked the earth and lived among us. I watched a video discussing how we view Barabbas. It made me think about how we could've been Barabbas and how Jesus took our place. It wasn’t an easy song to write, but it’s one of my favorite songs I’ve ever had the chance to write and record.
Jesus is the most wonderful person who ever lived. He died for us so we could be with Him forever. I didn’t grow up with many hymns, but I’m very moved because Jesus is the Prince of Peace and perfect love. That’s who He is. I’m not enough, but Jesus is. That’s the message of the Gospel.
Lyrics
When I hang by a thread At the end of my rope And I’m losing my grip And I’ve lost all hope Along comes the strength Beyond my control Oh, that’s what Jesus is
With the scoundrels and drunkards Lepers and me On a hill far away Between a couple of thieves The last place on earth You think He would be But that’s right where Jesus is
The Prince of Peace And perfect love That’s who He is And where I run I can’t count the ways That I’m not enough But thank God, oh thank God Jesus is
When I’m walking back guilty From the places I go With no hesitation He welcomes me home He’s not afraid to get mud on His robe That’s just how Jesus is
The Prince of Peace And perfect love That’s who He is And where I run I can’t count the ways That I’m not enough But thank God, oh thank God Jesus is
The Prince of Peace And perfect love That’s who He is And where I run I can’t count the ways That I’m not enough But thank God, oh thank God
Thank God Jesus is
Mmm Yes Jesus is
Closing Thoughts
Living in the present without knowing what the future holds can be daunting. In today's fast-paced world, we often search for meaning and purpose. However, we can find comfort in Philippians 3:8, which states that knowing Christ Jesus is of more excellent value than anything else: "I consider everything a loss compared to the surpassing greatness of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord, for whose sake I have lost all things.”
I have taken time to reflect on and sing this beautiful song to God, which always comforts me. As part of my daily devotionals, I sing at least one praise song daily to strengthen my relationship with Jesus. So, I encourage you to spend some time with Him as well.
Try praying and singing along with this beautiful song of adoration. Remember to read your Bible daily, as God wants us to be reminded not to be afraid. To make Him the Lord of our lives, we must be willing to pay the cost of discipleship.
Every day, we face choices that determine how we use our time, make lifestyle choices, pursue wealth, live for the present, and question our loneliness while searching for meaning. God speaks to us in various ways, and I find myself closest to Him through prayer and reflection, particularly with songs of praise and adoration like “Jesus Is.”
When you abide by His grace, you will experience a profound change in your life. His grace has the power to remove your worries, feelings of guilt, and shame. Remember that being His is sufficient. As the song says, regardless of the season or how you are feeling, you can be confident with all your heart: “With the scoundrels and drunkards/Lepers and me/On a hill far away/Between a couple of thieves/The last place on earth/You think He would be/But that’s right where Jesus is.”
God speaks to us in different ways, and I find myself closest to Him in prayer and reflection, especially with songs of praise and adoration like "Jesus Is." As Christians, we can all loudly proclaim: “The Prince of Peace/And perfect love/That’s who He is/And where I run/I can’t count the ways/That I’m not enough/But thank God, oh thank God/Thank God/Jesus is.” Jesus is risen. 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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