Yes, this children’s song rings true
Do you remember the song many children learn in Bible School, “Jesus loves me this I know, for the Bible tells me so”? Well, I am not one to believe everything someone tells me. I am always checking things out and verifying facts. One day, my sons were running around singing the above song at the top of their lungs, and I was in a sour mood. I decided I was going to check this out and find where it said that Jesus loves me in the Bible. It was not a hard challenge. It was quickly confirmed that yes, the Bible does tell in numerous places of Jesus’ love. There are also many about God’s love throughout the Old and New Testaments.
I am convinced that this is true: Jesus does love me and He loves you too. These are not just empty words spoken to be kind. Some people will say that they care about you or love you, but their words are empty. They do not back up their talk with their walk; do you know what I mean? It can be disappointing, frustrating, or confusing. It can really tick you off or convince you that you cannot trust anybody. There is one person you can trust though: Jesus.
To help you, I would like to share some of what I found. It will save you some time. You can look the verses up yourself if you still want to confirm what I say. I would not be insulted if you did. I do it all the time!
Jesus loves me because He died for me. He accepted all of my sins and burdens and then took the punishment I deserve because He knew I could not bear it. He did this for you too because He loves you just as much. He does not have favorites.
1 John 4:9-10 says, “This is how God showed His love among us: He sent His one and only Son into the world that we might live through Him. This is love: not that we loved God, but that He loved us and sent His Son as an atoning sacrifice for our sins.” Christ died for us. There is no greater love.
In John 3:16 Jesus says it himself when he says, “For God so loved the world that He gave His one and only Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish but have eternal life.”
1 John 4:7 and 8 say “for love comes from God”.
Ephesians 3:18-19 talks of “how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ”. 1 John 3:1 tells us that there is great love lavished on us to be called children of God. Ephesians 5:2 mentions “just as Christ loved us”. In John 15:9, Christ says, “As the Father has loved me, so have I loved you.”
In John 13:34, when He talks about the new command to love one another, He includes, “As I have loved you, so you must love one another.”
In Hebrews chapters 12 and 6, and in Revelations 3:19, the Bible talks about discipline and how the Lord disciplines those He loves.
Yes, Jesus loves me, the Bible tells me so.
No matter what the world tells you, remember this. Sometimes such unconditional love can seem unreal. You might wonder if it is true, but it is. This is just a sampling of what I found. His love is amazing. He isn’t going to run after you telling you that you are a worthless, good for nothing because of your mistakes. He loves you, and He only has good things to say about you.
If God is for you, who can stand against you?
If you are like me and sometimes have to challenge things and be in a sour mood, pull yourself up by those bootstraps now, shake off that negative nonsense, and start dancing for joy. This is really something to shout about. I guess I had better go join the band. Hey, kids, wait up! Are you coming with? Oh, sure, I will look silly, but who cares?!
Revelations 3:20, 22 say, “Here I am! I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in and eat with him, and he with me. He, who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches.”
Jesus loves you, but He isn’t going to force himself upon you. He is knocking at the door. It is up to you. Will you invite him in? Do you believe the song now?
This is a reprinted Reflections column from when my boys were young.