Photo by Laura Siegal
Jesus image, much like in the same hierarchical structure as Hillsong, Elevation Worship, and Bethel Music, is a church-led band. Controlled by Jesus Image Church, this newcomer hails from Orlando, Florida.
Their debut album, Jesus (Live), was released in 2022.
Lyrics can be found at https://genius.com/Jesus-image-yeshua-live-lyrics.
Note to new users: This is a different kind of review site! Read About the Berean Test and Evaluation Criteria prior to reading this review. I strongly encourage you to consider the potential blessings and dangers of this artist‘s theology by visiting Resources.
1. What message does the song communicate?
Gorgeous Yeshua is the Lamb of God who is worthy of our affection, adoration, and worship. His are the kingdom, power, and glory forevermore.
Side Note: To those who are annoyed by massive repetition, this song is a whopper! The format is:
- Verse: Two lines repeats four times.
- Chorus: One line repeated twice.
- Verse: Two lines repeated twice.
- Chorus: One line repeated four times.
- Interlude: Unique.
- Chorus: One line repeated twice, though with more ad-libs.
- Verse: Two lines repeats four times.
- Chorus: One line repeated three times.
- Bridge: Two lines repeat four times.
- Chorus: One line repeated four times.
- Bridge: Two lines repeat four times.
- Chorus: One line repeated seven times.
Score: 10/10
2. How much of the lyrics line up with Scripture?
The whole kit and caboodle.
[Verse]
Lines 1 and 2: Christ is beautiful (1 Chronicles 16:29, Psalm 27:4, and Psalm 29:2). I’m not sure who the “among thousands” refers to, but considering that He is incomparable (Exodus 8:10, Exodus 9:14, Deuteronomy 3:24, Deuteronomy 33:26, Jeremiah 10:6, 1 Samuel 2:2, 2 Samuel 7:22, 1 Kings 8:23, 1 Chronicles 17:20, Psalm 86:8, Psalm 89:6, Psalm 113:5-6, Jeremiah 10:7, Isaiah 40:18, and Isaiah 46:9), entertaining this thought is moot.
Lines 3-8: Repeats lines 1 and 2.
[Chorus]
Line 1: This is the Hebrew name for Jesus.
Lines 2 to iterative end: Repeats line 1, with occasional calls to speak His name (Acts 2:21 and Romans 10:13), examine His face (1 Chronicles 16:11 and Psalm 27:8), and pour out our praise in worship (Matthew 2:11, Matthew 14:33, Matthew 21:9, Matthew 28:8-9, Matthew 28:16-17, Luke 24:50-53, John 12:13, and John 20:28) in differing refrains.
[Interlude]
Line 1: See commentary on Chorus, line 2. Specifically, on worshipping.
Line 2: Borrows from Mary, sister of Martha and Lazarus, who poured expensive perfume on Jesus’ feet, anointing Him (Matthew 26:6-13, Mark 14:3-9, Luke 7:36-50, and John 12:1-8).
Line 3: Essentially repeats line 2.
Line 4: That is, Jesus the slain Lamb who is worthy of worship (Isaiah 53:7, John 1:29, John 1:36, Acts 8:32, 1 Peter 1:19, Revelation 5:6-8, Revelation 5:12-13, Revelation 6:1, Revelation 7:9-17, Revelation 12:11, Revelation 13:8, Revelation 14:1-10, Revelation 15:3, Revelation 17:14, Revelation 19:7-9, and Revelation 21:9).
Line 5: As stated by John the Baptist in John 1:29.
[Bridge]
Lines 1 and 2: This portion is sometimes found in Matthew 6:13, depending on the translation. It isn’t found in the earliest manuscript copies of Matthew; However, it has become a traditional way to end the Lord’s Prayer.
Line 3-8: Repeats/essentially repeats lines 1 and 2.
Score: 10/10
3. How would an outsider interpret the song?
Unbelievers will likely recognize the name “Yeshua” as the Hebrew name for Jesus, as well as the Lamb of God. They will think Christians believe He is splendorous, worthy of praise, strong, and glorious.
Score: 10/10
4. What does this song glorify?
It glorifies Jesus as the One we adore.
Score: 10/10
Closing Comments
Jesus Image’s Yeshua is Scriptural. It calls for Christians to worship Jesus, behold His glory, and reflect on His Lordship. These bring Him glory. Unbelievers should easily interpret similarly.
Though a bit repetitious for my taste, it is appropriate for corporate worship.
Final Score: 10/10
Artist Info
Track: Yeshua (listen to the song)
Artist: Jesus Image
Album: Jesus (Live)
Genre: Contemporary Christian Music (CCM)
Release Year: 2022
Duration: 11:57
Agree? Disagree? Don’t be shy or have a cow! Calmly and politely state your case in a comment, below.
Comments
J
Probably taken from Song of Solomon 5:10 (the book is taken by many to be an allegory of God’s love for His people Israel)
Gabriel Calhoun
Similar to J, I also thought it was a reference to song of solomon
Vince Wright
J,
Thank you for your comment!
I think this ia a bit of a stretch, but perhaps that is what the artist intended.
-Vince Wright
Josh Dempler
It doesn’t seem to be a stretch being that the text is: “My beloved is radiant and ruddy, distinguished among ten thousand.”
Song of Solomon 5:10 ESV
https://bible.com/bible/59/sng.5.10.ESV
My concern with this particular phrase in worship is Solomon was clearly speaking on the beauty of his wife. Yes it also represents God’s love for His church but how is that our worship to God by singing to Him His love for us when we then go to worshiping Jesus in the next line. I absolutely love this song and it stays in my head worshipping for weeks. That one aspect causes hesitation to bring it to the congregation to sing though.
Vince Wright
Josh,
Thank you for your comments!
That’s precisely why I thought it was a stretch to include this passage.
-Vince Wright
Nel
Josh, I too had the same struggles with this song. Recognizing right off that it was likely from Song of Solomon, all I could do during the chorus was thank Him for loving His Bride (Church).
But after digging into Solomon, I also came up with 5:10. However I do believe that 5:10 (5;10-16) is in fact sung by the Bride to the Groom.
I woke up with this song in my head; I’m no longer struggling with it.
FYI: a quick google gives an AI result of 5:10 being sung by the Groom. AI is incorrect.
Nel
At first hearing, my mind went to Song of Solomon… I began to struggle with this in the pew as I do so often with many songs sung in church. I kept thinking we are now singing the part sung by the Groom to the Bride.. During this chorus, all I could do was thank Him for loving His Bride.
But looking later at Song of Solomon 5:10 (“Outstanding among ten thousand”) it is clear that this verse is the Bride singing to the Groom. As Jesus is called the Groom and His Church is the Bride, this verse seems appropriate to sing in corporate worship.
FYI, a quick google result has AI stating that Song of Solomon 5:10 is the Groom singing; this is incorrect.