In growing up in a Southern Baptist church, one thing I can really look back on and appreciate is the traditional hymns. Some of the best theology that I learned as a child was through the ministry of the singing of hymns. Here at Kingdom Children, I would like to make it a common theme to reflect on the hymns that have been given to us by God as a means of learning about Him. By hymns, I refer to the lacing of Scriptures in lyrical form. In this edition we will be reflect on the Hymn “Jesus Loves Me”.
Jesus loves me, this I know, For the Bible tells me so;(1)
In this very line, we sing about what is, what we know, and how we know it. As surely as we believe the content of what is being sung here, so certainly this is the way it is. How is it that we know? Well the bible tells me so! What do I mean by the content of Christ’s love? Look at the next line.
Little ones to him belong,
They are weak but he is strong. (2)
The Scriptures that come to my mind, personally when singing this line, are Romans, Chapter 5, verses 6-11.
For while we were still weak, at the right time Christ died for the ungodly.For one will scarcely die for a righteous person—though perhaps for a good person one would dare even to die—but God shows his love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us.Since, therefore, we have now been justified by his blood, much more shall we be saved by him from the wrath of God.For if while we were enemies we were reconciled to God by the death of his Son, much more, now that we are reconciled, shall we be saved by his life. More than that, we also rejoice in God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom we have now received reconciliation. (3)
Here we see, that we are the little ones. By we, Paul is referring to those who are united with Christ by Grace through Faith, which can be seen in Romans 6. The focus of our attention for now is Christ’s Love. “For while we were still weak” ..what is meant here? We can gain insight from how the Holy Spirit speaking through Paul describes us elsewhere. In Ephesians chapter 2, verse 1, we are called “dead in the trespasses and sins”. In verse 2 Paul goes on to describe this deadness as “following the course of this world, following the prince of the power of the air, the spirit that is now at work in the sons of disobedience”. Look at how our weakness, and lack of ability is being contrasted to Christ, The God-Man’s strength!
{For} at the right time Christ died for the ungodly.For one will scarcely die for a righteous person—though perhaps for a good person one would dare even to die—but God shows his love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us. (4)
Even though we were weak, spiritually dead, and are naturally opposed to God. Christ, at the right time died for us, the ungodly! This is how He demonstrates His love for us! Which one of us would die for someone who was unjustly condemned to die? Could you imagine laying down your life for someone like that? It would be a very tough decision, that I, personally, would crumble under. Given the situation, I know I wouldn’t. Paul say this hardly happens. He goes on to say that one might be bold, daring, and adventurous to die for a good man. Someone who was an upstanding citizen, and did things for others . Yet Christ, The Creator, and Judge of the Universe, Lived Righteously, was crucified, and bled for our ungodly hearts and souls. This is why we sing “Jesus Loves Me”
Why did he do this? For our justification!
Since, therefore, we have now been justified by his blood, much more shall we be saved by him from the wrath of God.For if while we were enemies we were reconciled to God by the death of his Son, much more, now that we are reconciled, shall we be saved by his life. More than that, we also rejoice in God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom we have now received reconciliation.(5)
What does this Justification entail? It means that God’s wrath no longer abides on us, due to our sin. God has declared us Just, by faith in His Son (Rom 3:22). While we were enemies of God, because of our sinful state, we have been reconciled with Him, by the death of His Son. By Faith, Having now been justified by His life, His death, and His resurrection! Because of this, we rejoice, sing, and reflect on these hymns! Our standing before God is like that of Christ’s, because He loved us!
Yes, Jesus loves me!
The Bible tells me so. (6)
(1) http://www.opc.org/hymn.html?hymn_id=851 (2) Ibid. (3)Rom. 5:6-11 ESV (4)Rom. 5:6-8 ESV (5)Rom. 5:9-11 ESV (6)Ibid.
Kingdom Children 