Most of us know the song, “Jesus Loves Me.” We usually think of it as a children’s song often sung in Sunday School or children’s church but the theology underlying this precious song is profound. Here are the words written in 1860 by Anna B. Warner:

From the first stanza, how do I know Jesus loves me? Because I read in the Bible that He tells me He does. He declares, “This is My commandment, that you love one another, just as I have loved you” (John 15:12). Though we are weak and frail, believers belong to Jesus and He is strong. He says, “My grace is sufficient for you, for My power is perfected in weakness . . . when I am weak, then I am strong.” (2 Corinthians 12:9, 10b). Though we are weak sinners, we belong to Him and He is strong enough to keep us. We cannot be lost; our eternity is secure.

From the second stanza we learn who Jesus is today. He is the same Lover of children today as He was when He walked the earth. He says, “Permit the children to come to Me; do not hinder them; for the kingdom of God belongs to such as these” (Mark 10:14).

The third stanza tells us that Jesus is the same yesterday, today, and forever. He walks with me illuminating my way. He is the light of the world and the Friend of sinners. The Bible declares, “Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today, yes and forever” (Hebrews 13:8). Jesus walked alongside the two on the road to Emmaus and “beginning with Moses and with all the prophets, He explained to them the things concerning Himself in all the Scriptures” (Luke 24:27). He will give us the light of insight too as we read His word.

In the fourth stanza we are assured that Jesus’ death and shed blood are sufficient to open heaven’s door for all who believe in Him. In His high priestly prayer, Jesus prayed that His own might “be with Me where I am, in order that they may behold My glory which Thou has given Me. . .” (John 17:24). Christians are blood-bought sinners who have been washed white from their sins by His blood. Revelation 22:14 says of believers, “Blessed are those who wash their robes, that they may have the right to the tree of life, and may enter by the gates into the city” (Revelation 22:14).

Finally, the fifth stanza summarizes the unchanging love of Jesus for His own. Because He will never leave us or forsake us, we have a Savior worthy of our allegiance and obedience. The Bible promises, “. . . I will never desert you, nor will I ever forsake you” (Hebrews 13:5). Because He is always with us, everything we do should glorify Him. The Apostle Paul writes, “Whether then you eat or drink or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God” (1 Corinthians 10:31).

What a great song! Teach it to your children but know that the theology behind it is for you.

Yes, Jesus loves me (and you),

Irv