Jesus Loves Me
by Jeffrey W. Hamilton
Text: Mark 10:13-16
I. “Jesus Loves Me” is a tune known the world over
A. It was written in 1860 by Anna Bartlett Warner as a poem for her sister’s book, Say and Seal. In the story the poem is recited by Mr. Linden, one of the characters, as he comforts a dying child named Johnny Fax.
1. Jesus loves me—this I know,
For the Bible tells me so;
Little ones to him belong,—
They are weak, but he is strong..
Jesus loves me -- He who died
Heaven’s gate to open wide;
He will wash away my sin,
Let His little child come in.
Jesus loves me—loves me still,
Though I'm very weak and ill;
From his shining throne on high,
Comes to watch me where I lie.
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.
B. The tune was written by Dr. William B. Bradbury, a well-known composer. He wrote the tune specifically for Anna Warner’s poem, adding the chorus and modifying the last verse. It first appeared in his hymnal, The Golden Shower, in 1862.
Jesus loves me—this I know,
For the Bible tells me so;
Little ones to him belong,—
They are weak, but he is strong.
Jesus loves me -- He who died
Heaven’s gate to open wide;
He will wash away my sin,
Let His little child come in.
Jesus loves me—loves me still,
Though I'm very weak and ill;
From his shining throne on high,
Comes to watch me where I lie.
Jesus loves me—he will stay,
Close beside me all the way.
If I love him, when I die
He will take me home on high.
2. The tune was originally called “7's”, but when a missionary spread the story of how popular the song was among the children in China, it became known as “China.”
C. While known as a children’s song, there is a strong message presented.
D. Part of the problem is that there have been numerous verses added or changed to this original song
1. Our song book is no different. It changes the last two verses from a song of comfort prior to death to a general assurance that Jesus cares.
II. “Jesus loves me -- this I know, For the Bible tells me so; Little ones to Him belong, They are weak, but He is strong.”
A. The song starts out with a simple assertion that I know that Jesus loves me, and then proceeds to prove the point
B. I know Jesus loves me because the Bible tells me
1. II Thessalonians 2:16 - Both the Lord Jesus and God the Father loved us
2. Revelation 1:5 - He washed our sins away with his own blood
C. I know Jesus loves me because Jesus loves children - Mark 10:13-16
D. I know Jesus loves me because Jesus protects the weak
1. Isaiah 40:28-31 - God strengthens the weak
2. II Corinthians 12:10 - When I am weak, then I am strong
3. It is a theme that runs through the Bible - II Corinthians 13:4
4. In imitation of Christ, we do the same - I Thessalonians 5:14
III. “Jesus loves me -- He who died Heaven’s gate to open wide; He will wash away my sin, Let His little child come in.”
A. It was because of Jesus love that we were given a way to heaven - John 14:6
1. Romans 5:8-11 - He died for us
2. It is a measure of how much God loved us - John 3:16
3. By his blood, our sins are washed away - Ephesians 5:25-27
B. Now Satan cannot stop the pillaging of his domain - Matthew 16:18
C. It echoes in the future heaven’s gates - Revelation 21:25
D. The children of the kingdom are not forbidden - Matthew 19:13-14
IV. “Jesus loves the children dear, Children far away or near; They are safe when in His care, Every day and everywhere.”
A. I was not able to locate where this verse originated
B. Jesus’ love is for all people - Matthew 11:28-29
1. He died for all men - Romans 5:18
C. “Safe” is not a physical safety, but a spiritual one - John 10:27-29
1. We have God’s protection - Romans 8:33-39
V. “Jesus, take this heart of mine, Make it pure and wholly Thine; Thou hast bled and died for me; I will henceforth live for Thee.”
A. This verse (and the chorus) I found in
1. Golden Bells or Hymns for Our Children, Children’s Special Service Mission, London, (no date – believed to be 1890), p. 26.
2. “Jesus Lifted Up – Surrender,” The Gospel Choir, R. Stewart, London, 1 September 1896, p. 33
a. Jesus from His throne on high
Came into this world to die;
That I might from sin be free –
Bled and died upon the tree.
I can see Him even now,
With His pierced thorn-clad brow,
Agonizing on the tree:
O, what Love, and all for me!
Now I feel this heart of stone
Drawn to love God’s holy Son
“Lifted up” on Calvary,
Suff’ring shame and death for me.
Jesus, take this heart of mine,
Make it pure and wholly Thine;
Thou hast bled and died for me,
I will henceforth live for Thee.
B. Jesus’s love changes us
1. We know love because Jesus died for us - I John 3:16
2. Jesus dwells in us, rooted in love - Ephesians 3:17
3. We belong to Christ - I Corinthians 6:19-20
4. We live for the Lord - Romans 14:7-9
5. We change and are purified - Titus 2:11-14
VI. Conclusion
A. Leads me in righteousness for His sake - Psalms 23:3
1. As David prayed - Psalms 27:7
2. He leads and guides - Psalms 31:3
3. God forgives for His sake - Isaiah 43:25
B. Psalms 23:4 - God is with me
C. Whoever loses his life, for Christ’s sake, will find it - Matthew 10:39; 16:25
