How shall I begin to speak about a God
That I will never comprehend?
So high and mighty and yet, closer than a friend
The beginning and the end
The mystery of His holiness
The wonder of His humanness are one
One and the same
I can't do Him justice with any one name
The holy God of Heaven and the humble man who bore my shame
Are one, one and the same
I scarcely understand how a simple servant
Can be called the great I am
How the Son of God is still the Son of man
Both the Shepard and the Lamb
The healer and the wounded
Father and the only Son are one
One and the same
I can't do Him justice with any one name
The Holy God of Heaven and the humble man who bore
Who bore my shame are one, one and the same
The way that we can come to know
The truth that sets us free, yeah
The life that died, God rose again
Love revealed
You are one and, one and the same
I just can't do it with any one name
Oh, Holy God of Heaven and the humble man who bore my shame
Are one, one and the same
Are one, one and the same
"One And The Same" by Cece Winans is a powerful and thought-provoking song that explores the divine nature of Jesus Christ. In this song, Winans beautifully captures the mystery and wonder of God's holiness and His humanness, emphasizing that Jesus is both fully God and fully man. The lyrics express the awe and reverence we should have for a God who is beyond our comprehension yet intimately close to us.
The song begins by acknowledging the difficulty of speaking about a God we can never fully understand. It highlights the paradox of a God who is "so high and mighty" yet "closer than a friend." This concept is rooted in Scripture, particularly in passages such as Psalm 139:7-10, which reminds us that God is present everywhere and knows us intimately. It also reflects the incarnation of Jesus, where God took on human flesh and dwelt among us (John 1:14).
As the song progresses, it explores the mystery of Jesus' dual nature. It marvels at how a simple servant can be called the great "I AM," a name that God revealed to Moses in Exodus 3:14. The song also acknowledges Jesus' role as both the Shepherd and the Lamb, the Healer and the wounded. These references draw from various biblical passages, such as Psalm 23 and Isaiah 53, which depict Jesus as the Good Shepherd who lays down His life for His sheep and the suffering servant who takes upon Himself our sins.
The chorus of the song declares that the Holy God of Heaven and the humble man who bore our shame are "one and the same." This echoes the biblical truth that Jesus is the perfect union of divinity and humanity. Colossians 2:9 affirms that in Jesus "the whole fullness of deity dwells bodily." It is through His incarnation, death, and resurrection that we can come to know the truth that sets us free (John 8:32).
The inspiration behind "One And The Same" comes from Cece Winans' deep faith and personal relationship with Jesus. In an interview with NPR, she stated, "I've known Him all my life, and I'm still learning. It's a relationship. It's not just a religion." This song reflects her desire to express the depth of her love and awe for Jesus, recognizing that He is more than any one name or title can capture.
The musical arrangement of the song complements the lyrical content, with Winans' powerful vocals conveying the reverence and adoration she has for Jesus. The gospel-infused sound combined with heartfelt lyrics creates a worshipful atmosphere, inviting listeners to join in praising the one true God who is both transcendent and immanent.
In conclusion, "One And The Same" by Cece Winans is a beautiful testament to the divine nature of Jesus Christ. Through its lyrics and musical arrangement, it conveys the mystery and wonder of Jesus as both fully God and fully man. The song draws inspiration from Scripture, emphasizing the dual nature of Jesus and inviting listeners to worship the one who is beyond our comprehension yet intimately close to us.