Music – we are surrounded by it everyday. The radio, Spotify, Pandora, even television you hear it. I love it. God speaks to people in various ways and He often speaks to me in music. I like to play a game with songs (especially on the radio) and how they can relate to Jesus or God.
There are a lot of songs that are intentionally written to be about Jesus but for some reason I find it more fun to link secular songs to him. I like to think Jesus is subtly a part of everyone’s drive home or trip to the supermarket. I know God is always present but we often forget that He is always interacting with us.
There are a billion songs that you can make relate to Jesus or the Bible in some way but here are my top 12.
12) I Need Your Love – Calvin Harris Featuring Ellie Goulding
Why it reminds me of Jesus: I imagine the lyrics being called out to Jesus and
asking for His love to help save her.
Song lyric: “I need to be free with you tonight”
Bible verse: Now the Lord is the Spirit, and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom.
2 Corinthians 3:17
11) Set Fire To The Rain – Adele
Why it reminds me of Jesus: It is often when we are at our lowest that we finally give our
hearts over to God and Adele doesn’t waste anytime – she gives Him her heart at the
beginning of the song. And let’s face it, God could totally set fire to the rain.
Song lyric: “I let it fall, my heart, and as it fell you rose to claim it”
Bible verse: The Lord is close to the brokenhearted and saves those who are
crushed in spirit. Psalm 34:18
10) Shelter From The Storm – Bob Dylan
Why it reminds me of Jesus: All it takes for us to get shelter from a storm is to turn to Jesus.
The storm doesn’t necessarily end but He gives us a great peace simply from coming in to
his house.
Song lyric: “Come in, I’ll give you shelter from the storm.”
Bible verse: Whoever dwells in the shelter of the Most High will rest in the shadow of the
Almighty. I will say of the Lord, He is my refuge and my fortress, my God, in whom I trust.
Psalm 91
9) The Wind – Zac Brown Band
Why it reminds me of Jesus: God will be anywhere the wind blows.
Song lyric: “Say my name and I’ll be there, My love will find you anywhere”
Bible verse: Call to me and I will answer you, and will tell you great and
hidden things that you have not known. Jeremiah 33:3
8) We The Common – Thao & The Get Down Stay Down
Why it reminds me of Jesus: When Jesus was arrested for being King of the Jews Pontius
Pilate told the people that he could not find anything that Jesus had done wrong. The custom
at the time was to release one prisoner to be free at the end of the governor’s feast and
Pontius asked the people if he should free the innocent Jesus. The people said no we want
Barabbas; a known robber. They only wanted Jesus to be a villain.
Song lyric: “All they wanted was a villain and all they had was me”
Bible verse: “I find no guilt in him.” John 18:38
7) Treasure – Bruno Mars
Why it reminds me of Jesus: We are God’s treasures!
Song lyric: “Treasure, that is what you are”
Bible verse: For you are a people holy to the Lord your God. The Lord your
God has chosen you out of all the peoples on the face of the earth to be his
people, his treasured possession. Deuteronomy 7:6
6) We Found Love – Rihanna Featuring Calvin Harris
Why it reminds me of Jesus: When we have nothing left – no future, no courage, no strength,
no hope – we still have God. Lucky for us that is the perfect time to let Him love us.
Song lyric: “We found love in a hopeless place”
Bible verse: But he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is
made perfect in weakness.” 2 Corinthians 12:9
5) Because You Loved Me – Celine Dion
Why it reminds me of Jesus: I don’t give thanks to God nearly enough for all he has done for
me and Celine says it all in this song. All He’s ever done is loved me and I am so thankful.
Song lyric: “I’m everything I am because you loved me”
Bible verse: We love because he first loved us. 1 John 4:19
4) Gone, Gone, Gone – Phillip Phillips
Why it reminds me of Jesus: I always listen to this when I’m working out and I like to think
God is saying even if you’re running away from me I still love you. No matter what comes
your way I am here.
Song lyric: “I’ll love you long after you’re gone, gone, gone”
Bible verse: The steadfast love of the Lord never ceases; his mercies never
come to an end. Lamentations 3:22
3) Come and Get It – Selena Gomez
Why it reminds me of Jesus: All you have to do to have Jesus in your life is let him in. He’s
waiting for you; come and get it.
Song lyric: “You ain’t gotta worry, it’s an open invitation I’ll be sittin’ right
here, real patient”
Bible verse: Behold, I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears my voice
and opens the door, I will come in to him and eat with him and he with me.
Revelation 3:20
2) Without You – David Guetta Featuring Usher
Why it reminds me of Jesus: I can’t do anything without you Jesus.
Song lyric: “I will never win this game without you”
Bible verse: I am the vine; you are the branches. If a man remains in me and I
in him, he will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing. John 15:5
1) Next To Me – Emeli Sandé
Why it reminds me of Jesus: Humans will always let you down because they are human but
God never will because he’s God.
Song lyric: “You will find him next to me”
Bible verse: The Lord is near to all who call on him, to all who call on him in truth.
Psalm 145:18
Artists that intentionally write songs about Jesus and are worth noting: Mumford and Sons, Rend Collective Experiment, Relient K, Belle and Sebastian, The Avett Brothers, The Civil Wars
Do you have any songs that remind you of Jesus?
-C
