“Jesus loves me this I know; for the Bible tells me so…”
These iconic words to a beloved children’s song are so beautiful and conjure up sweet memories for me in Sunday School as a child.
I know it’s a simple song, but upon closer look, I am beginning to wonder if this actually represents how I really think about the love of God.
Let me explain.
“Jesus loves me this I know.” This is a fantastic line! I know that Jesus loves me. I have the knowledge that Jesus loves me. I have heard from others that Jesus loves me. Many preachers and teachers have told me that Jesus loves me. Intellectually, it is relatively easy to understand that Jesus loves me.
So what is meant by ‘this I know?’
It may simply mean a piece of head-knowledge or a nugget of information that I can approve of as fact. Or does it mean ‘knowing’ in the sense that Jesus’ love for me is a rock-solid foundation to everything that I think, do, or say? Or do I mean that I have personally and radically experienced the love of Jesus through life’s difficulties, painful trials, and the depths of despair?
For me, though, it’s the second line that is the most troubling:
“for the Bible tells me so.”
If you asked a young child if their parents loved them, they would likely answer in the affirmative. When pressed as to how they know, fewer of them would be able to answer confidently as to the specific reasons for their parents’ love for them. I’m sure they would offer cute little details like “they make me food” or “they give me kisses and hugs” or “they play with me,” but they would not be able to articulate a deep sense of their parents’ true love and sacrifice for them. In fact, in many instances the foolishness of children may just as easily claim their parents don’t love them.
A young child may also respond to this question by saying, “because they tell me they love me.” And that’s an acceptable reason for a child to give. However, we know that far too many parents say they love their children yet fall woefully short in their demonstration.
You see, knowing that God loves us because the Bible tells us so is the equivalent of a little child basing love simply on what their parents say, while ignoring what they do.
It’s an immature understanding of love.
Yes, we are to come to Jesus with a child-like faith and put our full faith and trust in Him, but our comprehension of His love for us must grow and mature throughout our life. And it’s this fact that brings me to something I have been wrestling through lately.
In my flesh, I tend to believe that God’s love for me is subdued.
Hold on, let me explain.
I believe I am comfortable with God’s love for me. I understand that He loved me so much that 2,000 years ago, He sent Jesus to earth to die in our place and be resurrected. I know God loves me so much that He gave Jesus to die for me while I was still a sinner.
But maybe you are like me, and you suspect this love is sort of an obligatory, I-have-to-buy-a-gift-because-it’s-Christmas kind of love.
Reluctant. Obligated. Hesitant. Cautious. Lukewarm.
Like, I am lumped in with everyone because I am human and His creation so that means He has to include me. I think we believe God has this low-grade frustration and irritation with us most days because we simply can’t do what He’s asked us to do or be who He wants us to be.
Ever.
In short, we know that God loves us, but what about today in this moment of brokenness? Does He love me right now?
Here and now.
Today.
After what I thought, after what I said, after what I did?
Does He really?
How do our lives change through the maturing of our belief in the love of God? It must grow from “for the Bible tells me so” to a mountain of particulars, details, and instances where our mindfulness of God’s love for us matures from casual to deeply personal. Our awareness of God’s infinite love develops in the midst of the darkest suffering of our souls. Our understanding of His love increases because He has sustained us during desperate times of difficulty. Our appreciation of His kindness escalates as a result of His continued blessing and times of immense joy.
In short, we must look at, remember, and tell our story to see, hear, feel, and taste to see that the Lord is:
Incredibly loving.
Infinitely kind.
Profoundly compassionate.
Intensely merciful.
Ridiculously gracious.
To me.
Jesus loves me, this I know.
Today.
Ok, now I can love Him back.
Questions:
- In what instances in your life do you remember your understanding of the love of Jesus growing immensely?
- What words would you use to describe your current understanding of God’s love for you today?
- What are some concrete steps you can take today to remind yourself of God’s immense love for you?