Jesus Loves Me
CHCC: August 10, 2008
INTRODUCTION:
What would you guess is the best-known Christian Song all over the world? I bet it’s a toss-up between Silent Night, Amazing Grace … the song we’re going to talk about today. For over a hundred years this has been the first song many parents, teachers, and missionaries teach their children. It has been translated into most major languages … and it is sung by children in every nation.
In fact, my brother Karl first learned this song in Japanese. His Pre-school teacher was from Japan, and she taught the class “Jesus Loves Me” in her language. (Hai eso oingo)
How many of you have been watching the Olympics? There’s no doubt that China knows how to put on a big show, right? But there’s an ugly underside to China. Ever since 1949 … when Mao Tse Tung founded the People’s Republic of China … Christians in China have endured constant persecution. But in spite of all the efforts to eradicate Christianity, the Gospel is alive and well in China.
In fact, I heard a news report this week about a recent survey by a major university in China. It revealed that 12% of the population says they are followers of Christianity. That would be about 156 million people. But that number is possibly twice that large … since so many would be afraid to say they were Christians on an official survey.
After the Communist Government of China kicked out all foreign Missionaries, most contact with China was cut off. A lot of people wondered if Chrisitianity would die out completely. In 1972, a group of American Christians were thrilled to receive an unusual message from contacts in China. The message simply said,
“Be assured that that "this I know" people are doing well!”
The message was not censored by the Chinese authorities because it made no sense to them. But the American Christians understood that “This I know” came from the song missionaries had taught children in China at least twenty years before. All of you probably know the song by heart … sing with me:
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. (vs. 1)
Those lines first appeared inside a novel called Say and Seal. The author of the book, Susan Warner, asked her sister Anna to write a poem that she could use in the book. In the book, this poem was spoken to comfort a little child who was dying. The original poem includes this verse … which is not generally published or sung:
Jesus loves me! Loves me still,
Though I’m very weak and ill,
That I might from sin be free
Bled and died upon the tree. (original vs. 4)
In 1862, a Christian musician named William Bradbury came across this poem. He added music and published the poem as a song. And this simple little children’s song eventually became the most famous of all the many songs he ever composed.
The song is so popular that other Religions have copied it. I came across a rendition that says, “Buddha loves me this I know, for the Dharma tells me so.” --- Well, you’d have to look long and hard at the Dharma to find evidence that Buddha loves you. But the Bible is drenched with verses that show God’s love.
Early in the 20th century, a Reporter asked the famous theologian, Karl Barth, to summarize his view of Church Doctrine. Now, Barth had completed 12 thick volumes on church doctrine, so he could have given an impressive Dissertation. He didn’t. Instead, he simply replied, “Jesus loves me this I know, for the Bible tells me so.”
Those simple words --- put to an uncomplicated melody --- contain the most profound truth the world will ever hear. You see, the Bible DOES tell us that Jesus loves us … and specifically the Bible shows us that Jesus loves children. Listen to verse 2:
2. Jesus loves me! This I know
As he loved so long ago
Taking children on His knee
Saying, “Let them come to Me.” (vs. 2)
Mark chapter 10 tells about a busy day for Jesus and his disciples when people tried to bring some Children to Jesus so he could bless them. The disciples had a full schedule. They didn’t have time for these bothersome little kids, and they told the parents so.
Mark 10:14-16 says When Jesus saw what was happening, he was angry with his disciples. He said to them, “Let the children come to me. Don’t stop them! For the Kingdom of God belongs to those who are like these children. I tell you the truth, anyone who doesn’t receive the Kingdom of God like a child will never enter it.” Then he took the children in his arms and placed his hands on their heads and blessed them.
You don’t hear about Jesus being angry very often, but when his disciples tried to send the children away, Jesus got angry! He didn’t consider little ones to be a waste of his precious time. Jesus valued children. And he made sure his Disciples got that message … loud and clear.
Can you imagine what it was like for those children to have Jesus put his hand on them and bless them? Jesus loved those little ones. And He loves the little ones that are here in our Church today.
That’s why we put value on Children here at CHCC. Our Children’s and Youth Ministries are not sidelines … they are at the heart of our church. That’s the way it was for William Bradbury, who wrote the music for Jesus Loves Me back in the 1800’s. In fact, Bradbury was a pioneer in ministry to children.
William Bradbury loved music all his life. When he was a teenager, he saw his first organ … and just 4 years later, he was making a living as a church organist. Bradbury went on to teach music in Boston, Brooklyn, and in New York City. He was instrumental in getting the public schools of New York to include Music Studies as part of their curriculum. (If it weren’t for Bradbury’s influence, your kids might not have the chance to be in Band or Choir in school.)
Later in his life, Bradbury and his brother started a company that produced Bradbury pianos, which were especially designed to be used in homes. The Bradbury pianos are considered high quality instruments. They were produced for over 100 years --- and you could still buy a used Bradbury if you want to.
William Bradbury was also an excellent composer … who wrote melodies that were simple and natural. Besides Jesus Loves Me, Bradbury composed 100’s of other hymns and published over 50 song books. You may be familiar with some of his hymns, like; He Leadeth Me, Just as I Am, Savior Like a Shepherd Lead Us, The Solid Rock, and Sweet Hour of Prayer.
Bradbury was the first church composer to focus his talents on creating children’s music. You could say he was a Children’s Minister before being a Children’s Minister was cool…
For several years during the mid 1800’s he held what were called “Juvenile Musical Festivals” at the Broadway Tabernacle in New York City. At these festivals, thousands of children sang songs of praise that Bradbury wrote to fit their young voices. Here’s a description of one of these events.
"A thousand children were seated on a gradually rising platform, which spread the scene most gracefully before the eye. The girls were dressed in white with a white wreath and blue sash. The boys were dressed in jackets with collars turned over in the Byron style. When all were ready, a chord was struck on the piano. A thousand children instantly arose, presenting a sight both graceful and inspiring. The musical effect produced by such a chorus was beyond description." (William B. Bradbury Composer of Hymns by Jacob Henry Hall)
One of the songs this extraordinary children’s choir sang was Jesus Loves Me. Here is one of the verses they sang:
3. Jesus loves me! He who died
Heaven’s gate to open wide;
He will wash away my sin,
Let His little child come in. (vs. 5)
Matthew 18 records a time when Jesus’ disciples asked him, “Who is going to be the greatest in your Kingdom of Heaven?” Jesus called a little child over … (Notice that children were often hanging around … near Jesus.)
Jesus told his followers, “Unless you become like a little child, you can never even get INTO the Kingdom of Heaven. So anyone who is like a child will be the greatest in the Kingdom.” Matthew 18:
What was Jesus talking about? What do children have that Adults are lacking? Obviously He wasn’t talking about maturity or intellect. I don’t think He was talking about innocence or obedience either… (If you’ve taken care of pre-schoolers you know they can be pretty clever in finding ways to DIS-obey!)
I believe the quality Jesus was talking about is TRUST. Children by nature are very TRUSTING. As adults we want to depend on our own achievements. And the longer we live apart from God, the harder it is to admit we need God’s Grace. On the other hand, that kind of absolute TRUST comes naturally to little children.
Recent statistics say that over 80% of Christians make the decision to follow Christ before the age of 18. Children are a priority to Jesus, and they need to be a priority to us!
Jesus went on to tell his disciples, Whoever welcomes a little child like this in my name welcomes me. But if anyone causes one of these little ones who believe in me to sin, it would be better for him to have a large millstone hung around his neck and to be drowned in the depths of the sea. Matthew 18:5-6
Back in 1996 I made a trip to Russia. While I was there, I learned that historically, the Russian Orthodox Church failed to offer education for the Children and Youth in the church. Their failure to teach the Children left a vacuum in the minds of the youth of Russia --- and Communism tried to fill that void. For that reason, I believe that the church of Russia was partly to blame for 70 years of oppression under atheistic Communism.
We don’t just offer programs for our children and youth to “keep them occupied while the adults worship.” Children and Youth are the heart of our church --- and they are the future of the Church.
Now, admittedly, it takes energy and patience to teach children. It takes time and money to provide for the needs of young people. But it’s worth whatever it takes!
When I see little ones running around, I don’t see little “rug rats,” (…as I’ve heard some people call them … nobody around here of course!) When I see kids running around our church, I see the ones who are Greatest in the Kingdom of Heaven.
In a couple of weeks we hope to have some of our Youth help lead worship for us. If their music is a little different … or maybe a little louder than what we’re used to … that won’t bother me a bit. I’m just thrilled our young people are EXCITED about worshiping God.
I’m proud of our children and youth here at CHCC. While we are teaching them, we can learn a lot from them.
CONCLUSION:
Let’s conclude by looking at the last verse of Jesus Loves Me:
Jesus loves me! He will stay
Close beside me all the way;
Thou hast bled and died for me,
I will henceforth live for Thee. (vs. 6)
How will we RESPOND to the Unfailing Love of Jesus? He gave his life for us. In return, we can give OUR lives for Him.
JESUS LOVES ME
Words by Anna B. Warner; Refrain & Music by William Bradbury
Jesus loves me! This I know,
For the Bible tells me so.
Little ones to Him belong;
They are weak, but He is strong.
Yes, Jesus loves me!
Yes, Jesus loves me!
Yes, Jesus loves me!
The Bible tells me so.
