Skip to main content

"Three Times" by Mike Janzen: Forgiveness Beyond the Rooster's Cry


(by Jasper Tan) Emotionally raw, introspective, honest, and vulnerable, that's what Mike Janzen's latest single "Three Times" is. Exploring themes centered on guilt, failure, and finding redemption through the disciple Peter, the song aptly expresses that emotionally raw feeling when one is in a dire situation but remembers that Peter once denied Jesus "three times" yet Jesus forgave and loved him still. This is a novel way of connecting and finding inspiration from someone who had committed betrayal against Jesus, yet proved to be a testament of Jesus' love that even if he was betrayed, his love still remains. 

Mike Janzen - Three TimesSometimes our strong faith also results in us being "dragged down" by guilt and shame, because we ask ourselves why we betrayed someone we had promised to put our complete trust and faith in. This often would lead us to be overwhelmed by our shortcomings, perhaps feeling shame. But as the song is trying to say, "Three Times" we failed and betrayed, but also, "Three Times" we are restored for three times Jesus also forgave and loves us. If you are looking for a song that is filled with poetic imagery, then this song is rich with it. Using metaphors like "words are smoke", a "net filled with shame", and the "boat is filled", which co-relates to our human experience of being weighed down by our struggles and yet finding relief in redemption and forgiveness. 

"Three Times" is a poignant song that beautifully expresses the struggles of our being human, acknowledging our limitations as human beings, and encouraging us to ultimately find hope in Jesus Christ.

(Related scripture: Luke 22:34; Matthew 26:75; Matthew 18:22)

Background:

This song is folky, moody and tells the story of redemption through the disciple Peter. Some fantastic musicians on this recording including Kevin Breit (Norah Jones) and Joel Schwartz (guitar, dobro). Enjoy!

Release date: April 24, 2026

Connect with Mike Janzen

Would you like to hear more CCM music? Then check out our Christian playlists on: https://www.christiandance.eu/playlists



We know...

We appreciate that seeing these messages can be slightly annoying, but the truth is, ChristianDance.eu survives because of them – thanks to people like you who take the time to read and then generously step up to help fund our work.

We’re enormously proud to be reader-funded: not only does it keep us going, but it’s what makes ChristianDance.eu stand out from other music websites with our short music-inspired devotionals.

• Reader donations let us cover the music we like
• Reader donations mean no ads in the articles
• Reader donations keep our website open to all

We really appreciate your readership and your support. Support our work with a one-off donation or a regular monthly amount of your choice. We value every amount: https://www.christiandance.eu/p/donate.html

Thank you. 

Support us
Tags:

Popular posts

"Run There" by Hayden Snook: When Life Overwhelms, Here's Where to Go

What do you do when life feels like too much? When the noise, the pressure, and the emotional weight won't let up? Hayden Snook found his answer — and he wrote it into "Run There."  Born out of a moment of genuine overwhelm, this folk rock track doesn't pretend everything is fine. Instead, Snook leans into the tension. "I may stray, I may move — all those feelings held within me are nothing to Your victory." Our struggles are real, but so is the God who meets us in it.  The lyrics recall some of Scripture's most powerful moments, like David crying out in anguish, the stone rolling away, men standing firm in the face of death. These moments are proof and they give each of us hope that we can build on today. If God showed up then, He'll show up now.  "Run There" is an invitation to trust God. "You may stray, you may move — there's nothing our God can't do." So don't walk… Run to Him! Give "Run There" a listen...
More >>

"Vine" by Oludee: Fruitfulness Through Surrender

(by Jasper Tan) "Vine" by Oludee is a very beautiful, soulful song that talks about trust, surrender, and putting our Faith in God. What makes this song so beautiful is the musical choice that Oludee chose to produce with the given theme. It's easy listening and soulful, which can be a good song to listen to during our moments of devotion and personal worship with God. The opening lines of the song quickly establish the message that we can't just rely on ourselves in our day-to-day living, but it is important that we learn to recognize God in our lives. By putting our complete trust and faith in Him, we would be able to navigate life's challenges more easily, as we would be experiencing more stability. To know and understand that God is with us, we would not succumb to our hopelessness because we understand that God will always carry us during our times of need. Using Vine as a metaphor, it serves as a symbol of life, nourishment, and protection. This recurring re...
More >>

"Heal Me O Lord" by Sandra Lam: Restored by His Wounds

(by Jasper Tan) "Heal Me O Lord" by Sandra Lamb is a powerful, soul-stirring gospel song that touches on themes of faith, surrender, and finding healing in God. The song serves as a heartfelt prayer where Sandra expresses her vulnerability and her moments of weakness and loneliness, and her strong faith to find healing in God in order for her to be restored. Throughout the song, we are taken from a place of struggle to a testimony of Sandra's victory as she declares, "I'm strong and whole again" and "All my pain is gone." This affirms her faith through the healing that she received in Jesus. You can clearly hear the honesty of Sandra as she sings this song with her expressive vocals, which is keenly supported by the music that creates a meditative and uplifting atmosphere. This delivery largely helps us establish an intimate and worshipful tone when listening to the song. It helps us relate to the song more and reflect on our faith and how we are...
More >>