Ta Ta You Jesus
Do You Have A Reason To Be Grateful?
One of my favorite jazz artists is a mean saxophonist by the name of Kirk Whalum. You may have heard him on songs like Whitney Houston's “I Will Always Love You” or BabyFace’s “Exhale” (Shoop, Shoop), to name a few. For those who love Gospel Jazz, you may have heard the song Falling in Love With Jesus. Jonathan Butler is singing, but the sax is by Kirk Whalum.
Over the years, Kirk has released several gospel-based jazz albums called The Gospel According To Jazz. On the 2nd iteration, he has a song called Ta Ta You Jesus.
The title comes from his twin nieces, whose parents would tell them to say thank you when they received a gift. However, the toddlers had trouble pronouncing the words. Instead of saying thank you, they cutely said “Ta Ta” which became a memorable moment and phrase for their family and the inspiration for a song called Ta Ta You Jesus.
As Kirk plays that mean sax, his brother Kevin rocks back and forth like a toddler, singing the lyrics. Check out this short clip.
In Paul’s Estimation, the Church in Ephesus had a reason to say, Ta Ta, You Jesus!
In chapter 1, he paints a beautiful picture of what Jesus had done for them and us.
In Him, we have been chosen.
In Him, we have been adopted.
In Him, we have been redeemed.
In Him, we have received an inheritance.
In Him, we have been sealed with the Holy Spirit of Promise. (Ephesians 1:3-14)
Paul does not stop there. As we look at chapter 2, he tells the Ephesians that Jews and Gentiles were dead in their sins. Idol worship. They did it. Sexual sins. They did it. They were doing what they wanted to do, when they wanted to do it, how they wanted to do it. Sounds familiar?
They were living according to the ways of the world, according to the prince of the power of the air. They were indulging in the desires of their flesh and mind. (Ephesians 2:1-3)
But look at what Paul says happened.
But God, being rich in mercy, because of His great love with which He loved us, even when we were dead in our wrongdoings, made us alive together with Christ (by grace you have been saved), and raised us up with Him, and seated us with Him in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus, so that in the ages to come He might show the boundless riches of His grace in kindness toward us in Christ Jesus. (Ephesians 2:4-7)
It is through Jesus that the Father has extended grace, mercy, and forgiveness to us. He was falsely arrested, tried, convicted, and sentenced. He was beaten. He was mocked. He was spit upon. He was crucified on a rugged cross.
And he did it all for you and me. Think about that. He did not have to do it. He had not done anything wrong. He was sinless. It was our disobedience, our stubbornness, our lies, our procrastination, our foolishness, our lousy temper, our angry outbursts, our pride, our manipulative ways, our jealousy, our rejection of Him…
Our Big Brother. Our Lord. Our Savior paid the price for our sins! He was the sacrificial lamb!! He was the atoning sacrifice!!!
And I don’t know about you, but I am grateful that Jesus thought enough of me to pay the price for my sins.
For I remember life before Him. Like those in the church in Ephesus, I was dead in my sins. I was a lost sheep in desperate need of purpose and definition. Then, I had a “But God” moment, and my life has never been the same.
And for that, I say Ta Ta, You, Jesus!!!!!!!!!!!
How about you? Have you ever had a “But God” moment? Do you have a reason to say Ta Ta You, Jesus?
Looking for a great church? In-person or Online, Exhort Community Church is a great place to connect, grow and serve.
Looking for an engaging communicator for your next church, school or corporate event, LET’S TALK.
Ta Ta, You, Jesus!!❤️🙌🏾