Lyrics
Jesus A Matchless Name
Read together: Luke 23:32–43; Romans 5:6–8; Ephesians 3:14–19; Hebrews 7:24–25; 1 John 4:9–10
Some songs try to explain God's love. This one admits that it can't. Jesus, oh my Jesus, I just don't know—I don't know how You could love me so! There is something deeply honest about that confession. The longer we walk with Jesus, the more His love outruns our understanding.
Read Ephesians 3:14–19. Paul prays that believers would be rooted and grounded in love and would "have power, together with all the saints, to comprehend the length and width and height and depth of the love of Christ, and to know this love that surpasses knowledge." Notice the paradox. Paul prays that we would know a love that surpasses knowledge. We can know it truly, but we will never know it fully. That is what the singer is feeling.
Why is Christ's love so astonishing? Read Romans 5:6–8. "While we were still helpless, at just the right time, Christ died for the ungodly." Paul says one might perhaps dare to die for a good person, "but God demonstrates His own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us." The song's first verse echoes that line: Though yet a sinner, Christ died for me. His love did not wait for us to improve. It came to us at our worst.
The second verse turns to one of the most remarkable conversions in the Bible. Read Luke 23:32–43. Two criminals were crucified with Jesus. At first, both mocked Him (Matthew 27:44). But at some point, one of them changed. He rebuked the other, saying, "We are punished justly, for we are receiving what our actions deserve. But this man has done nothing wrong." Then he turned to Jesus: "Jesus, remember me when You come into Your kingdom." And Jesus answered, "Truly I tell you, today you will be with Me in Paradise."
That man had no time to clean up his life. No time to be baptized, attend church, or make restitution. He had nothing to offer but a dying request. And Jesus received him. When he heard Your voice, he knew there was a choice. His salvation rested entirely on the mercy of the One hanging beside him.
The song draws the obvious conclusion: Like the thief who hung at Calvary—thank You, Jesus, for saving me for all eternity! Every person who is saved is saved the same way—by grace, through faith in Jesus, not by works.
The verse also says He is faithful to save. Read Hebrews 7:24–25. Because Jesus lives forever, He has a permanent priesthood, and "He is able to save completely those who come to God through Him, since He always lives to intercede for them." Completely. Not partially, not temporarily. The thief needed a complete Savior, and so do we.
Perhaps you think you have waited too long or sinned too much. Look at the thief. Perhaps you think you need to understand everything first. Look at his simple prayer: "Jesus, remember me." The song puts it even more simply: Jesus, can I come just as I am? The answer is yes.
Read 1 John 4:9–10. "This is love: not that we loved God, but that He loved us and sent His Son as an atoning sacrifice for our sins." You do not have to understand how He could love you so. You only have to receive it.
A moment to respond: Read Luke 23:39–43 and pray the thief's words as your own: "Jesus, remember me." Then read Ephesians 3:17–19 and ask God to help you grasp more of His love. Write down one way you have experienced His love that you cannot explain.
Let's pray: Jesus, Yours is a matchless name. We don't know how You could love us so, but we thank You that You do. Thank You for dying for us while we were still sinners, and for receiving the thief who called on You. Remember us. Save us completely. Root us in Your love that surpasses knowledge. Amen.
Our desire at UnrelentingJesus is that you would never stop being amazed by the love of Jesus—the same love that welcomed a dying thief, and welcomes you.
