Inspirational Readings: 57 Songs, Devotionals of Beloved Hymns ♫ Jesus Loves Me ♫

Like many Christians, I sang 'Jesus Loves Me,' growing up. It’s a song that many probably shoved off as childish after they`d outgrown Sunday school. Go ahead, nod your head up and down. And I'll be honest, I did too. Yet in this one song is the gospel in simple language, so elementary that a child can understand.

I remember the song from Sunday school too. But I thought about the song in a fresh way recently. The song's lyrics reiterates throughout that Jesus loves me, then repeats it again and again in the refrains. I get it! Jesus loves me.

Although this simple message of love is true for every individual on earth, it`s important for each one of us to know it for ourselves. It does you no good to know that Jesus loves your next door neighbor. If you`re going through a rough time, you need to know that Jesus loves you right now - at the moment of your need. Someone else’s belief and faith will do you no good.

I love this simple explanation and declaration of God’s love for us through His son, Jesus in a song. It goes straight to the point. It doesn’t matter who you are, it’s a simple truth that’s on everyone’s level. You don’t need a degree, you don’t need to be highly intelligent and you don’t need to be anyone special to understand. Not only does God love everyone, the simple fact that He does, is plain and easy for everyone to understand - in a song.

Just think of it. There are people who will never get a high school diploma, college degree or it’s equivalent in countries around the world. Their lack of a formal education may disqualify them for medical school or other high paying positions, but as far as the Gospel is concerned, no experience is required. Everyone is in without a hitch. Through the simplicity of a song, 'Jesus Loves Me', it is made plain to all.

You may think I've made it all too simple and gone too far. You might think it’s ridiculous to get the Gospel from a song. Perhaps you’d prefer to get it from a sermon or the Bible. If you believe in and trust what the Bible says, you know that it tells us of God’s love throughout it’s pages. God’s love is expressed both in His Holy word and in His mighty deeds He has done and continues to do for us everyday.

The most popular and core scripture about God's love is John 3:16; "For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in Him should not perish, but have everlasting life." Now for those who need a meatier explanation, Paul, who wrote a good portion of the New Testament in the Bible, summed it up best in describing the powerful love of God in Romans 38-39.

There's a story that many would like nothing better than to file away as they claim that it is, as nothing more than "urban legend." The story is about Swiss Theologian Karl Barth, renowned for his collective works, "Church Dogmatics," and one who has had an important influence on Christianity worldwide. Barth is said to have been in the U.S. lecturing in Chicago in 1962. While there lecturing, he was asked by a student to summarize the meaning of his collective work. Barth is said to have replied with "Jesus loves me this I know for the Bible tells me so." His contemporaries say Barth often replied to student's questions in unexpected manner. Maybe so, but the real highlight of this so called urban legend is that, after writing a 14 volume series, Barth could sum it all up in a children's song.

The Original version of "Jesus Loves Me," started as a poem in Anna Warner's older sister’s novel

Jesus loves me—this I know,

For the Bible tells me so;

Little ones to him belong,—

They are weak, but he is strong.

Jesus loves me—loves me still,

Though I'm very weak and ill;

From his shining throne on high,

Comes to watch me where I lie.

Jesus loves me—he will stay,

Close beside me all the way.

Then his little child will take,

Up to heaven for his dear sake

Anna B. Warner 1820-1915

William B.Bradbury 1816-1868

Bradbury’s revised version to accompany his Melody

Bradbury also added choruses

Jesus loves me—this I know,

For the Bible tells me so;

Little ones to Him belong—

They are weak, but He is strong.

Refrain

Yes, Jesus loves me!

Yes, Jesus loves me!

Yes, Jesus loves me!

The Bible tells me so.

Jesus loves me—He who died

Heaven’s gate to open wide;

He will wash away my sin,

Let His little child come in.

Refrain

Jesus loves me—loves me still,

Though I’m very weak and ill;

From His shining throne on high

Comes to watch me where I lie.

Refrain

Jesus loves me—He will stay

Close beside me all the way,

Then His little child will take

Up to Heaven for His dear sake

Have A Blessed And Peaceful Week!

© Barb Johnson