“Jesus Loves Me” is called a child’s song, but I sometimes still sing it for myself, even as a grownup. The lyrics are by Ana Bartlett Warner but they were first published in 1860 by her sister Susan Warner as a poem in a novel entitled Say and Seal. The music was later added by William Bradbury in 1862. In the novel, the words are spoken to comfort a dying child.
I especially love the beginning lines from the first stanza:
Jesus loves me this i know,
for the Bible tells me so
Which begs the question: What does the Bible tell a grownup about Jesus’s love? Probably the most important thing the Bible tells us grownups about receiving Jesus’s love is that we have to quit acting like grownups!
Matthew 18:3 KJV
[3] And said, Verily I say unto you, Except ye be converted, and become as little children, ye shall not enter into the kingdom of heaven.
Another thing the Bible tells me about Jesus’ love is that He will always tell me the truth, no matter how much it hurts him or pains me. In John 4, Jesus tells the woman at the well detailed information about her sin, because he loves her. In John 8, Jesus tells another woman caught in adultery to “go and sin no more,” because he loves her. Plus, he tells her accusers that they are sinners also and need repentance.
Jesus loves me so much he tells me the cold hard truth even when I lie to myself. Remember the Pharisee who came to Jesus seeking how to enter heaven in Mark’s account of Jesus’s ministry. This rich Pharisee claimed to be worthy of heaven because he professed to have kept all the commandments from his youth.
Mark 10:21 KJV
[21] Then Jesus beholding him loved him, and said unto him, One thing thou lackest: go thy way, sell whatsoever thou hast, and give to the poor, and thou shalt have treasure in heaven: and come, take up the cross, and follow me.
One day you will die, perhaps sooner than expected. Jesus has told you the truth. Did you hear what he said? Have you done what he asks?
Little ones to Him belong,
They are weak but He is strong