Vashawn Mitchell - Greatest Man Lyrics
Lyrics
Verse 1:
Jesus is the greatest man I know
Jesus is the greatest man I know
Made the moon, stars, the land, and sea
Redemptive man of authority
Jesus is the greatest man I know
Verse 2:
Jesus is the worthy Lamb of God.
Jesus is the worthy Lamb of God.
That is why we bow before Your throne
Knowing You are God alone
Jesus is the greatest man I know
(Verse 1 - Verse 2)
Chorus:
Oh... He's the greatest man I know
Oh... He's the greatest man I know
Oh-oh-oh (oh... oh... oh...)
Greatest man I know!
Verse 3:
Jesus is the Lamb that was slain
Jesus is the Lamb that was slain
Hung, bled, was crucified
By His own, he was denied
Jesus is the greatest man I know
(Chorus 2x; repeat last line 2nd time)
Vamp (worship leader ad lib):
Greatest man I know... (~12x)
Nobody like our God, nobody like our God,
Nobody like our God... greatest man I know!
(4x)
Greatest man I know... (7x)
Oh-oh-oh-oh, oh-oh-oh-oh, oh-oh-oh-oh... (2x)
He's the greatest man I know (greatest man I know)
Oh, oh (oh, God)... oh, oh (oh, God)...
Yeah, yeah (greatest man I know)
Ending:
Oh-oh-oh-oh, oh-oh-oh-oh, oh-oh-oh-oh...
Greatest man I know.
(4x)
Greatest man I know. (3x)
Video
VaShawn Mitchell - Greatest Man ft. Israel Houghton
Meaning & Inspiration
Vashawn Mitchell’s "Greatest Man," released on August 4, 2012, as part of his album *Created4This*, stands as a powerful testament to the central figure of Christian faith. The song offers a profound theological statement, distilling complex doctrines into a clear, worshipful declaration. At its core, "Greatest Man" celebrates Jesus Christ in His multifaceted identity: creator, redeemer, sovereign Lord, and the ultimate object of adoration. It’s a bold affirmation, designed to anchor believers in the truth of who Jesus is and inspire a deep, personal reverence for Him. The message transcends mere sentiment, inviting a comprehensive understanding of Christ’s unparalleled significance in cosmic history and individual salvation.
The opening verse immediately sets the tone, proclaiming Jesus as the "greatest man I know." This seemingly simple assertion quickly expands to encompass His divine nature and creative power, noting that He "made the moon, stars, the land, and sea." This powerful declaration echoes biblical truths found in scriptures like John 1:3, which states, "All things were made through Him, and without Him nothing was made that was made," and Colossians 1:16, affirming, "For by Him all things were created, in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible... all things were created through Him and for Him." Mitchell then elevates this understanding by calling Jesus a "Redemptive man of authority," a concise yet profound phrase that encapsulates both His human mission to redeem humanity and His inherent divine dominion over all creation, as referenced in Matthew 28:18 where Jesus declares, "All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me." This first section establishes Jesus not just as a historical figure, but as the cosmic Creator and the empowered Savior.
Transitioning to a deeper aspect of His identity, the second verse hails Jesus as the "worthy Lamb of God." This imagery directly draws from John 1:29, where John the Baptist introduces Jesus saying, "Behold, the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world!" The song emphasizes His worthiness, a concept deeply explored in Revelation 5:12, where the heavenly hosts proclaim, "Worthy is the Lamb who was slain, to receive power and wealth and wisdom and might and honor and glory and blessing!" Because of this unparalleled worth, the song declares, "That is why we bow before Your throne, Knowing You are God alone." This reflects the call to worship and submission found in Philippians 2:10-11, where every knee will bow at the name of Jesus, and reinforces the monotheistic truth that He is the singular divine being, as Isaiah 45:5 states, "I am the Lord, and there is no other; besides me there is no God." The chorus then serves as a central, declarative anchor, repeating the powerful affirmation "Oh... He's the greatest man I know," cementing the song’s core message with unwavering conviction.
The narrative deepens further in the third verse, where the lyrics explicitly address the sacrificial nature of Christ, identifying Him as "the Lamb that was slain." This directly points to the crucifixion, the pivotal event of Christian faith. Mitchell describes the harrowing reality: "Hung, bled, was crucified," painting a poignant picture of His suffering for humanity’s redemption, vividly portrayed in the Gospels. The song also acknowledges the painful betrayal and rejection Jesus faced: "By His own, he was denied." This line recalls the abandonment by His disciples, especially Peter’s denial (Matthew 26:69-75), and the rejection by His own people, as noted in John 1:11, "He came to His own, and His own people did not receive Him." This unflinching look at His suffering and rejection makes His ultimate triumph and status as the "greatest man" even more impactful, underscoring the immense cost of His love and salvation.
The extended vamp and ending of "Greatest Man" build into an exhilarating crescendo of worship. The repeated phrases like "Greatest man I know" and "Nobody like our God" are not merely repetitive but are crafted to create an immersive, corporate worship experience. This section serves as an invitation for personal and collective engagement, encouraging profound adoration and a fervent declaration of faith. It moves beyond intellectual acknowledgment to a heart-level embrace of Christ's unparalleled nature. This fervent repetition amplifies the song’s central theme, solidifying the conviction that truly, there is no one comparable to God, echoing sentiments found in Psalm 86:8, "Among the gods there is none like you, Lord; no deeds can compare with yours." The song thus culminates in an undeniable, joyous affirmation of Jesus's supreme authority, enduring love, and eternal reign, leaving the listener with an invigorated sense of wonder and devotion for the "greatest man" in all existence.