This Is Jesus a cantata on the life of Christ by Steven Kapp Perry & Janice Kapp Perry, based on the introduction to "Jesus the Christ," by James E. Talmadge
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It is a matter of history that the man known as Jesus of Nazareth was born, lived, and died in the meridian of time. But as to who and what he was, the opinions are many.
Who was this man who made such an impact on the world that even time is measured from his birth? That even those who deny him still swear by his name? About whom more has been written and sung than any other person who ever lived? Who was Jesus?
1. Who Was Jesus?words & music by Steven Kapp Perry
Who was Jesus?
Was he more than just a man?
It was so long ago
Will the world ever know?Who was Jesus?
Will I ever understand?
Is he ever to be
More than history to me?Some say he was a healer,
Some say a teacher, or a friend.
I know he lived and died,
And yet some say he lived again.Who was Jesus?
Was he more than just a man?
It was so long ago
Will the world ever know?Who was Jesus?
Who was Jesus?
Who was Jesus?
2. Before the World Was
words by Steven Kapp Perry / music by Janice Kapp Perry
Before the world was--
Before the order of the stars came to be--
Before the planets--
Before the swirling of the vast galaxies--Was the Father.
Our parents' wisdom
Had clothed intelligence with spirit and life.
And from their wisdom,
The new-born spirit now emerging in lightWas Jehovah.
He was the first-born,
He was the greatest of the children of God.
The Father's right hand--
The Father's image in perfection and grace--Was Jehovah.
As sons and daughters--
As fiery sparks before our Father and God--
As spirit children--
Now given form and shape through God's
surging love--There were we.
And we danced in the heavens
With the joy of our lives
And we shouted the praises
Of our God!And we sang out in glory
As the children of the morning,
And Jehovah was the greatest of all!The host was gathered--
A heavenly council
to announce the great plan.
The Father's purpose--
The immortality and glory of man.Hallelujah!
A new creation--
A shining world to be the home of our birth.
And as a ransom--
A living sacrifice for all on the earth--
Was Jehovah.And we danced in the heavens
With the joy of our lives!
And we shouted the praises
Of our God!And we sang out in glory
As the children of the morning,
And Jehovah was the greatest of all!Before the world was--
Before the order of the stars came to be--Was Jehovah.
Jehovah; the firstborn of the Father. God of the Old Testament. Out of worlds without number, he came to live on this earth. And his name was called Jesus, meaning "God is help" or "Savior."
3. Any Other Child
words & music by Steven Kapp Perry (Matt. 1, Luke 1)
Mary: Felicia Sorensen, Joseph: Paul EngemannMary:
The angel stood before my eyes
And spoke to me of many
marvelous things to come.
My heart was filled with great surprise
To find that I, who knew no man,
would bear a son.Mortal yet Divine.
Born that He may die . . . and live!He came like any other child.
He was small, He was helpless.
And just like any mother's child
I loved Him at first sight.Joseph:
The angel stood before my eyes,
And spoke to me of many
marvelous things to come.
My heart was filled with great surprise
To find the first-born of my wife
would not be mine.Mortal yet divine,
Born that He may die . . . and live!If He were any other child
He would not be the Savior.
But can I love Him as my own
Like any other child?Joseph & Mary:
He looked like any other child;
Just a boy, just a baby.
He was the Savior of the world
But came like any other child.
4. What a Friend is Jesus Christ!
words & music by Steven Kapp PerryWhat a child, what a child was Jesus!
Such a child there has never been.
He was meek, he was mild was Jesus,
What a friend he might have been!What a child, what a child, I wonder
As he looked at the clouds above,
Did he hear in the sound of thunder
Echoes of his Father's love?Growing in wisdom
And growing in favor with God and men.
He was about his Father's business
even then.What a boy, what a boy was Jesus!
Every day brought a new surprise.
Growing grace upon grace was Jesus
'Til the day he realizedHe was more than a man was Jesus,
And He chose in the prime of life
He would live and would die for others,
He would be the promised Christ;
He would be the sacrifice!This he would suffer
Because of his love for both God and men.
He was about his Father's business
even then.What a friend, what a friend was Jesus.
What a friend who would give His life.
What a friend, what a friend is Jesus Christ!
(John 8:12,32) "Then spake Jesus unto them, saying, I am the light of the world: he that followeth me shall not walk in darkness, but shall have the light of life. And ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free."
5. Light to My Eyes
words & music by Steven Kapp Perry (John 8 & 9)
soloists: Dave Barrus & Tammy Simister RobinsonOnce I was blind,
Blind from my birth,
Begging for bread
As I sat in the dirt.I felt the warmth
Of hands on my face.
Jesus drew near
And the darkness gave place.
His very touch was
Light to my eyes!
How to describe
The feeling of sight
For the very first time!The sky was so blue,
The world was so green!
The sweet face of Jesus
The first face I'd seen.
Oh! Light to my eyes!I was the woman
Taken in sin;
Brought before Jesus,
He did not condemn.Knowing my shame
And the life I had lived,
Who was this man
Who could freely forgive?
His very words wereLight to my eyes!
How to describe
The feeling of hope
For the very first time!Sins that were scarlet
Appeared to be white!
The sweet love of Jesus
Had altered my sight!
Oh! Light to my eyes!Once I was blind,
Now I can see.I was a sinner,
But now I am free!The light of the world has freed us.
The light of the world,
The light of the world,
The light of the world
Is Jesus!
(John 13:34, 35) "A new commandment I give unto you, that ye love one another; as I have loved you. . . . By this shall all men know that ye are my disciples, if ye have love one to another."
6. If the World Could Live as Jesus Taught
words & music by Steven Kapp Perry & Janice Kapp PerryIf the world could live as Jesus taught,
If we loved our neighbor and loved our God,
So much pain would be gone,
No wars would be fought.
What a world it would be
If we could live as he taught.Those who have ears to hear,
Those who have hearts to feel,
They love Jesus' words.
They know his power is real.Jesus taught learned men in the temple,
He taught by the shores of the sea.
He taught on the mountains
He taught by the wayside
As one with authority.And his voice was the voice of
his Father,
And his words were the wisdom of God.
As he lifted men up
With his message of love,
There was power in all that he taught.(Repeat verses in counterpoint.)
If the world could live as Jesus taught,
If we loved our neighbor and loved our God,
So much pain would be gone,
No wars would be fought.
What a world it would be
If we could live as he taught.
(John 15:12,13) "This is my commandment, that ye love one another, as I have loved you. Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends.
7. Calvary, Gethsemane
words & music by Steven Kapp PerryJesus, in Gethsemane,
Knelt among the olive trees
Pleading there for you and me.
Bleeding that we might go free.Every guilt, every shame,
Every hurt, every blame;
That night he felt them all.
But when morning had come
And his suffering was done,
He had overcome them all.Now I know
What Gethsemane means . . .It means love,
It means love,
It means love!Jesus hung on Calvary,
Lifted up for all to see.
Hanging by his hands and feet
On the cross at Calvary.And he freely forgave
Those who caused him such pain.
His work was at its end.
Then he died for all men
That we might live again.
Our Savior and our friend!Now I have learned
What Calvary means . . .It means love,
It means love,
It means love!Calvary, Gethsemane,
What do these words mean to me?They mean love,
They mean love,
They mean love!
(John 19:40, 41 & Matt. 27:60) "Now in the place where he was crucified there was a garden; and in the garden a new sepulchre, wherein was never man yet laid. . . . Then took they the body of Jesus, and wound it in linen clothes. . . . And . . . laid it in [the] tomb . . . and rolled a great stone to the door of the sepulchre, and departed."
8. Who Was Jesus? (reprise)
words & music by Steven Kapp PerrySome say he was a healer,
He was a teacher and a friend.
I know he lived and died,
But could he really live again?
(Matthew 28:1-3) "In the end of the sabbath, as it began to dawn . . . came Mary Mag-dalene and the other Mary to see the sep-ulchre. And behold . . . the angel of the Lord descended from heaven, and . . . rolled back the stone from the door, and sat upon it. His countenance was like lightning, and his raiment white as snow. And the angel answered and said unto the women . . "
.(Luke 24:5) "Why seek ye the living among the dead?
9. He Is Not Here for He Is Risen
words & music by Steven Kapp Perry
(Matt. 28:5, 6)
soloists: Steven Kapp Perry & Kevin Braddy
Fear not ye, for I know
Ye seek Jesus, which was crucified.He is not here, for he is risen.
Come see the place where the Lord lay
Now risen on the third day.Fear not ye, he is not here
For he is risen as he said.
He is risen from the dead!Fear not ye, for I know
Ye seek Jesus, which was crucified.He is not here
For he is risen.
10. I Know He Lives
words & music by Janice Kapp Perry
(John 20, Luke 24, & 1 Cor. 15:6)
Mary Magdalene: Johanne Fréchette Perry
Two Disciples: Scott Pickard & Mark G. ChildMary Magdalene:
I stood alone beside the sepulchre
And when he spoke to me
I thought He was the gardener.
But there was something in the gentle way
He spoke my name,
A tenderness I,d known and loved
In earlier days.And when I heard his loving words
I turned to see the blessed Lord!
My very name fell from his lips,
I know he lives.Two Disciples:
We walked the road communing quietly,
As we were sorrowing,
A stranger sought our company.
And as we spoke to him of Jesus
Who was crucified
He blessed the bread and broke it
And we realizedOur eyes beheld the living Christ
And then he vanished from our sight.
Did not the spirit burn within?
We know he lives.The Apostles:
We gathered reverently behind closed doors,
For we, his chosen brethren,
Wished to speak of Christ once more.
And as we spoke, the risen Lord
Appeared before our eyes.
We saw his hands and feet,
Beheld his wounded side.And as he sat with us to eat,
He humbly blessed us with his peace.
Oh, there could be no sweeter gift,
To know he lives.The Multitude:
Upon a holy mount in Galilee,
There with the multitude,
We heard and worshipped willingly.
He spoke as one who held all power
Over heaven and earth,
Yet all who listened
Marvelled at his simple words.Had he not said that he would rise?
He was the resurrected Christ!
This is the witness that we give,
We know he lives.Mary Magdalene:
My very name fell from his lips.Two Disciples:
There could be no sweeter gift.The Multitude:
This is the witness that we give,
We know he lives!
11. Ye Men of Galilee
(interlude) music by Janice Kapp Perry(Acts 1:9-11) "And . . . while they beheld, he was taken up; and a cloud received him out of their sight. And while they looked steadfastly toward heaven as he went up, behold, two men stood by them in white apparel: Which . . . said, ye men of Galilee, why stand ye gazing up into heaven? this same Jesus, which is taken up from you into heaven, shall so come in like manner as ye have seen him go into heaven."
Jesus once asked his disciples, "whom do men say that I, the Son of Man, am? "and further, "But whom say ye that I am?" As modern-day disciples and people who claim to be his followers, we are still asked these questions. Who does the world say Jesus is? And more importantly, who do I say he is? The answers are the same as in days of old.
Some call him a fact of history, a great teacher, a leader, perhaps even a prophet.
Only those who have humbly sought and followed him have found him. Only those who have had personal revelation can call him the Christ, the Son of the living God. Who is Jesus? Do I know for myself? Who is Jesus to me?
12. This Is Jesus!
words & music by Steven Kapp PerryMore than just a healer,
He's the redeemer of our souls.
More than just a teacher,
His words have power to make men whole.And so we tell His story
Until that long awaited day
When He returns in glory
And every tongue will shout His name!This is Jesus!
Son of God and Son of Man.
He who laid down his life for His friends.
This is Jesus!
He who died and lives again.
He has paid the great price;
He was our sacrifice!This is Jesus!
This is Jesus!
Jesus Christ!
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