Jesus Loves Me

Note:  The following post is an edited and updated post from March 14, 2014.  My most sincere prayer is that it will bless you and increase your understanding of just how much Jesus loves you.  Jesus’ love is vastly different from any other love we receive.

Image from Pixabay

The title of this blog post is one of the most beloved and well known hymns to Christians throughout the world, Jesus Loves Me.  In preparing to give a short devotional talk at a local nursing home (in March 2014), the Lord gave me this title and topic—a topic that would be meaningful for those who would be listening (what follows is an expanded version of that devotional talk). 

My goal was to keep my words to a minimum, yet convey some deep truths and comfort many elderly saints.  When doing nursing home services it is a good thing to keep things short and simple, as well as stick with the old hymns that are well-known and loved. 

Created by K. Jolly. All Rights Reserved.

Created by K. Jolly. All Rights Reserved.

A brief internet search led to learning about the background behind this meaningful song.  Please check out the following website to learn more about this beautiful hymn. History of Jesus Loves Me   

Image from Pixabay

For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.  

(John 3:16 KJV)

Jesus loves me this I know.  What an amazingly simple yet profound truth!  Jesus loves me this I know—simple enough for a young child to grasp and share in great confidence.  Jesus loves me this I know, profound enough to bring grown men and women to tears.  It is also profound enough to be proclaimed by born-again Bible scholars (for example, Karl Barth).

“Jesus loves me this I know for the Bible tells me so.”

From http://www.kingjamesbibleonline.org/Inspirational-Images/large/Romans_5-8.jpg

But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.  

(Romans 5:8 KJV)

Throughout the Bible we read of God’s deep, stubborn, everlasting love for us.  We can see His love in the Old Testament as He freed Israel from oppression in Egypt.  God’s love was apparent even when Israel constantly wandered from God’s plan for them and He disciplined them.  (Similarly, human parents discipline their beloved children.)  In the New Testament, we see His love through Jesus.  He loved us even when we were still sinners.  He loved us so much He sent His only Son, Jesus, to die a horrific criminal’s death on a cross!  That is amazing love!  This is a love that sets us free to truly live—live as we have never lived before—to live more fully and completely. 

Image from Pixabay 

O death, where is thy sting? O grave, where is thy victory?

The sting of death is sin; and the strength of sin is the law.

But thanks be to God, which giveth us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ. 

(1 Corinthians 15:55-57 KJV)

In dying and rising again, Jesus gives us the victory over death and the grave.  Now that is LOVE!  We have eternal life that matters when we have Jesus as our Savior and Lord.  That, my beloved, is love.  Therefore, in our life and in our death we can find joy and peace, even when the world around us is crumbling to pieces.

The Lord thy God in the midst of thee is mighty; he will save, he will rejoice over thee with joy; he will rest in his love, he will joy over thee with singing. 

(Zephaniah 3:17 KJV)

God loves you so much.  He rejoices over you with joy.  He sings over you with joy.  You are God’s beloved child!  His heart is for you, not against you.  Knowing and experiencing this should change how we see and interact with the world and with those around us.

WordCloud created by K. Jolly. All Rights Reserved.

Beloved, let us love one another: for love is of God; and every one that loveth is born of God, and knoweth God.

He that loveth not knoweth not God; for God is love.

In this was manifested the love of God toward us, because that God sent his only begotten Son into the world, that we might live through him.

Herein is love, not that we loved God, but that he loved us, and sent his Son to be the propitiation for our sins.

Beloved, if God so loved us, we ought also to love one another.

No man hath seen God at any time. If we love one another, God dwelleth in us, and his love is perfected in us. 

(1 John 4:7-12 KJV)

Remember and rest in the fact that Jesus loves you more than your mind can begin to conceive.  Jesus loves you and me because the Bible tells me so!  Share the love of Jesus with those around you each day.  You will discover the amazing blessing of blessing others.

Listen to Jesus Loves Me:  

Please join with me in prayer:

Father, Thank You so much for the love You demonstrated to the world through Jesus.  Help us to open our hearts to Your amazing love more and more each day, and experience the transformation that love does in our hearts, minds, and lives.  In turn, stir us to share Your healing, restorative love with those around us.  Open our eyes to the hurting world around us—a world that needs to hear the Good News and experience Your amazing grace and love.  In Jesus’ Name, we pray.  Amen.

From My Heart to Yours,

Kim