Jesus Loves Me, This I Know!
I grew up in Norfolk, Virginia with my maternal family, who was Catholic. We attended “Saint Pius X Church”. In the 50’s and 60’s the church had choirs, organs, and hymns. I grew up singing hymns like Jesus Loves Me, Oh, How I Love Jesus and His Banner Over Me Is Love! It brought me close to Jesus/God. I grew up in a difficult situation, those songs and it’s words, reassured me that I was loved.
Jesus loves me! This I know,
For the Bible tells me so;
Little ones to Him belong;
They are weak, but He is strong.
In John 3:16, 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; was the scripture I memorized, it was about His love for me. As a child, I needed to experience the genuine love. I had the privilege to learn about it in Sunday School. I also loved to read and when I was given a special book, called the Bible, it became my life line. It became the answer to all my questions during my childhood struggles. It became my answer on how to endure all of life’s ups and downs. Jesus loves me because John 3:16 tells me so, little to ones to Him belong (Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of heaven belongs to such as these in Matthew 19: 14) and for when I am weak, then am I strong… (Matthew 5:11,12) these words that came from the bible sustain me.
Refrain:
Yes, Jesus loves me!
Yes, Jesus loves me!
Yes, Jesus loves me!
The Bible tells me so.
NOTE: From beginning to the end of the bible, there are over 310 verses in the King James (more or less depending on the bible version), that’s 131 times in the Old Testament and 179 times in the New Testament on God’s love for us. Powerful!
Jesus loves me! This I know,
As He loved so long ago,
Taking children on His knee,
Saying, “Let them come to Me.”
Jesus said, Let them come to me is found in Matthew 19:13-15; Mark 10:13-16; and Luke 18:15-18. “Come”, is such a small word but to many it is a invitation or a welcome. That you will be accepted by our Lord and Savior. The mere fact He took children on His knee becomes profound act of love. I’m sure there are many other interpretations of what the scripture means, but for me as a child, learning about Jesus was enough for me to believe that I could go to Him. My classes at the Catholic Church (I started catechism classes when I was about seven years old) was the beginning of me having a relationship with Christ.
Refrain:
Yes, Jesus loves me!
Yes, Jesus loves me!
Yes, Jesus loves me!
The Bible tells me so.
NOTE: The original song lyrics were revised in a book called Good Morning Message by Peggy Edwards. The line that says… Yes, Jesus Loves Me was re-written as Yes, Jesus loves you…allow Him to help you through your day, everyday. The book is a devotional to inspire and uplift you in difficult times.
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.
I choose to include these words because he has been my side, now that I’m older and closer to the golden years. For God has said: “Never will I leave you, never will I forsake you.” (Hebrews 13:5) Look, I am with you, and I will watch over you wherever you go, and I will bring you back to this land. (Genesis 28:15.)
Heaven is my home. My Father’s house has many rooms; if that were not so, would I have told you that I am going there to prepare a place for you? (John 14: 2). Jesus said, “Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of heaven belongs to such as these.” (Matthew 19:14) Heaven is my home.
The song,”Jesus Loves Me”, was first written as a poem by Anna B. Warner. Susan, Anna’s sister, asked for a poem for a child who was dying. The words of the poem brought comfort and peace. Ms. Warner also included the poem in one of her novels…Say and Seal. So as you can see why included this verse. The verse ties to the origin of the song which was composed by William Bradbury.
Refrain:
Yes, Jesus loves me!
Yes, Jesus loves me!
Yes, Jesus loves me!
The Bible tells me so.
NOTE: Jesus Loves has been sung by many, especially by children. My favorite version includes Whitney Houston (Movie called, The Bodyguard), Bob Carlisle (Song called, Butterfly Kisses…Bedtime Prayers), and Crissy Collins (Song called, Jesus Loves Me, in Madea Goes To Jail).
