Contrary to my youngest son's belief, I do like music. Like most teenagers, I listened to the radio and had my share of favorites. I loved The Monkees. That's probably thanks to my Grandmother (believe it or not). She used to allow me access to my Uncle David's albums when he wasn't home. T0 this day, I still like "I'm a Believer."
Although, I have several favorites I wouldn't say I'm a very knowledgeable fan. I might like a particular song, but wouldn't be able to name the singer or group who recorded it. I certainly don't know any of the songs my 21 year old likes, unless he's listening to some of the "oldies."
The songs I like best though, are hymns and praise songs, even the children's Vacation Bible School songs. These are the songs I know and love. These are the songs you will catch me singing around the house as I work. I love them all.
My all time favorite is the children's song "Jesus Loves Me." Though in my opinion, this isn't just a song for children. It is a song rich in meaning and applies to all of us. Yes, Jesus loves little children. Most of us easily understand that. What we forget is that in the eyes of God and His Only Son, we must all be little children. Perhaps that is why I find this song so comforting.
I imagine that the apostles would have liked this song. After all, they were the ones reprimanded for trying to prevent the little children from coming to Jesus. They saw His gentleness as He was with those children. They saw the love in His face as He blessed them.
The apostles were also the ones who saw Jesus as the Son of God. They saw Him at His mightiest. I can imagine how they must have felt seeing Him after His resurrection. How small they must have felt. It must have been an awesome experience to see Jesus and be able to touch Him again - knowing He had conquered death itself. Oh, how weak they must have felt in the presence of His power!
Yet, Jesus still loved them. He loved them all. He had chosen them to establish His kingdom. Yes, when I think of the words of this precious song I think the apostles would have sung it with full zeal.
Jesus loves me this I know. For the Bible tells me so.
Jesus loves us .... me and you. The song has universal appeal because Jesus does love us all. But His love is intensely personal and this song rightly proclaims that aspect of His love. That is why little children like it so much.
Little children are so much into ME. When I watch them sing in Bible class -- they often point to themselves or hug themselves. The word "me" is often sung more loudly than the other words. That's OK. As an adult I like the thought of Him loving "me" too.
After all I've done in my life ... after living for years without walking in His way .. Jesus still loves me. It is a an awesome thing to think that Jesus - the Son of God has a perfect unconditional love for the person I am. He allowed me to repent .. to change my life and come back to Him.
That's another reason I think the apostles would like this song. They understood His love ... if Jesus could come back to them after they deserted Him at the cross (all but one) -- then they certainly understood the meaning of His love.
We come to know about the love of Jesus through the Bible. It is in itself an act of love by the Father that we have the Bible to read and study. The Bible tells us all we need to know about our Savior and Redeemer. I am so thankful God sent His Spirit to inspire the writers of the scriptures.
Little ones to Him belong. They are weak, but He is strong. We all belong to Jesus. He bought us with His precious blood. But we all know Jesus especially loves the little ones. He cares for them -- for their innocence. He is their protector. He is our Protector, too - if we've turned our lives back over to Him.
There are other verses to this sweet song. It was originally written by Anna Bartlett Warner in 1860 as a poem. Her sister Susan Warner used the poem in a novel called Say and Seal. In the context of the book, the poem was read as a comfort to a dying child. Two years later the words were put to music by William Batchelder Bradbury, who also added the chorus. It has become a song loved by many around the world.
The tune is appealing in its simplicity. The words are simple and clear. The message is full of purity and truth. We are all God's children. God sent His Son to live and die for us. Jesus really does love us this much. His blood was pure and it took His blood to buy us back.
In His presence we are weak. Without His love we are weak to the power of sin -- and bound to pay for our sins eternally. But Jesus -- Jesus is strong. Jesus resisted the devil and lived a perfect life. And the Bible tells us that because He loves us - He gave Himself for us. He was our perfect sacrifice.
We all know that isn't the end of the story. Jesus showed the devil the power of His strength. He conquered death. Through His strength, we have hope of eternal life. We have a chance to live with The One who loves us so. We have to love Him back .. to live for Him. I guess that is why the song is my favorite.
Yes, Jesus loves me. And He loves you, too. I know this. Without a doubt I know this. The Bible tells me so.
Christ above all things,
Robin
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