October 11, 2017
When Anna Warner wrote “Jesus Loves Me” in 1860, I doubt she had any idea how familiar and impacting the words would become over the next 150 years. Almost everyone growing up in a church environment learned this song at an early age.
It amuses me how often people feel the song is for children and should be sung by them. Beautiful as that is, the words are the basis of Christian belief, as they offer a simple statement for knowing Savior Jesus.
The Bible teaches that Jesus is God. To be confident of His love gives a strong sense of security. To know that Jesus loves me, and that this is based on Bible Truth, is the best news anyone can hear and believe.
I suppose the third and fourth lines are the reason for thinking this is a song for children: “Little ones to Him belong; they are weak, but He is strong.” But honest adults will admit that feeling small and thinking about how big God is gives us the hope and courage we need to face the challenges of life.
The final eight lines of the song are filled with theology. Jesus died to make the way for humans to go to heaven. His blood washes away our sin, and through Him, we are welcomed into the family of God. He will always stay close to us. This is a statement of protection, as well as motivation to live for Him.
Bible classes are wonderful – we should be in study with other followers of Jesus, as well as on our own. If we are privileged to pursue a theological degree, it is a gift to be valued. We are instructed in II Timothy 2:15 to pursue the approval of God through careful study so that we can be accurate in our teaching.
But nothing summarizes the Gospel as well as: “Jesus loves me! This I know, for the Bible tells me so.” Everyone can memorize and share this Truth.
Pastor Bill Ehmann