Yes, Jesus loves me
Yes, Jesus loves me
Yes, Jesus loves me
The Bible tells me so!
At no time does the Bible tell us how much Jesus loves us more than during the Easter season. Most Christians in our area are observing Lent now. Easter is April 8.
At about the same time you were learning this song you might have been memorizing John 3:16: "For God so loved the world he gave his only begotten son; that whosoever believeth on him should not perish but have everlasting life." As you worship in your churches and attend the extra services that are often available during the Lent and Easter season, you will have much to think about. But the one thing you don't want to lose sight of is that all of this was for you - each one of you.
Jesus died for you on the cross. He traveled the difficult journey that brought him to Jerusalem that day for you. Sin places a barrier between you and God, one that you will never be able to pull down on your own. But you don't have to. Jesus did that for you. He took your sins on himself on that cross and died so that you might be forgiven. He died for you before you were even created, before you knew him.
He rose again on the third day for you. Jesus conquered death so that you might have eternal life. He has gone ahead of you to prepare a place just for you so that, when your life here is over, you can spend eternity in his presence. He wants you to spend eternity with him.
That's how much Jesus loves you!
Do you forget that Jesus loves you? Does that only seem to be the chorus to a song the children sing? Jesus said we need the simple faith of a small child in order to enter the Kingdom of Heaven. Once you may have sung this song joyfully, believing every word. For some of us, by the time we reach adulthood, events conspire to make us feel skeptical or jaded. We may do things that would have shocked the child we were. We may go through periods of doubt and disillusionment.
The Christian faith is not a simple one. It is complicated by conflicting views on theology and doctrines. It has an element of mystery that defies logical explanation. The Bible is a hard book to read, requiring the guidance of those who have studied it before us.
Yet it is by simply believing that we are ushered into our faith and kept on course as we grow and mature. Our minds may wrestle with doubt. Our intellects may struggle with difficult Biblical interpretations. Our bodies may tempt us to sin. Our imaginations may lead us astray.
But deep in our hearts, when we just believe Jesus loves us, that can keep us steady in spite of all that might disturb us. As we revisit the events leading up to our Easter Celebration, the message reminds us of Jesus' faithful unwavering love for each one of us. Repeat after me: "Jesus loves me, this I know." And simply believe.
- Waugh is the pastor at the Warrensville and Heilman United Methodist churches.
