It is sung by many parents as they rock small children to sleep. Although most associated with children, it is also used widely on the mission field due to its simple presentation of profound truth. It may be sung to a simple tune and be composed of simple words, but it contains important truth relevant to adults and children alike.
Anna Bartlett Warner was born in America in 1827. She trusted in the Lord Jesus as her Saviour at a young age, as did her sister Susan. Both grew to be prolific authors, often co-writing, and between them they produced a variety of hymns, devotionals, children’s books and novels portraying Christian themes. The sisters also held Bible classes for military cadets, and President Theodore Roosevelt wrote to Anna that she had “rendered a real and patriotic service”. Of all these works, Anna’s most famous is the hymn, “Jesus Loves Me”. Originally written as a poem, Anna composed these words for the novel “Say and Seal” which she co-wrote with her sister. This book tells the story of a poorly child who is dying and these words of comfort are shared with him by his Sunday school teacher. The poem became the hymn we sing today when it was put to music a few years later by William Bradbury, who also added the chorus.
Jesus loves me – this I know
The hymn begins with a statement which is straightforward yet profound, “Jesus loves me – this I know”. In these few words, the writer tells us that Jesus’ love is personal, individual and something we can be absolutely certain of. Each and every person can slot their own name in place of the “me” and claim Jesus’ love for themselves. The Bible tells us, in John 3:16 (ESV), “For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life.” God loved us to the extent that He willingly sent His one and only Son in order that we may be saved from our sin and have a place in heaven. The same love of God the Father is also extended to us by Jesus Christ, His Son. Not only can we experience this love for ourselves by accepting the gift of eternal life, but we can also be assured that, when we do, nothing at all “will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord” as we learn in Romans 8:39 (ESV). What made the writer able to confidently say, “this I know”? This is answered in the following line: “for the Bible tells me so”. The Bible teaches of Jesus’ love time and time again and it also assures us of the authority of scripture (2 Timothy 3:16,17). If the Bible says it, we can believe it. Anna Bartlett Warner had complete confidence in the Word of God and, as believers, we should share that same confidence.
Jesus loves me – He who died
Jesus loves us enough that He was willing to die for us, and He did. John 15:13 (ESV) tells us that “Greater love has no one than this, that someone lay down his life for his friends”. There is no greater sacrifice than life itself. We know of rare and noble stories from history of those who have given their own lives to save their family, or for the sake of their country, or for their friends. However, when Jesus gave His life for us, we were enemies of God. The Bible tells us that Jesus, God’s perfect Son, was “despised and rejected” (Isaiah 53:3). He was mocked, tormented, physically abused, spat upon and nailed to a cross by the very people that He chose to die for. Romans 5:8 explains that “while we were still sinners, Christ died for us”. Why did Jesus have to die? The answer is stated later on in the same verse of the hymn: “heaven’s gates to open wide”. This was not a man giving His life for His friends. This was a man who laid down His own life to provide eternal life for people who hated Him. People whose sin would prohibit them from entering heaven. Yet Jesus’ death and resurrection made entry to heaven possible, simply by accepting Him as Lord and Saviour. This is true love and it is available to all.
Close beside me all the way
Once a person has accepted Jesus as their Lord and Saviour, they can be confident that they will never be alone. In Matthew 28:20 (ESV), Jesus encourages His disciples by assuring them “I am with you always, to the end of the age”. The very name given to Jesus – Immanuel – means “God with us” (Matthew 1:23). True followers of Christ can take comfort from this – that whatever they may face in life, they face it with the Lord Jesus by their side and with the full assurance of His love. Romans 8:38,39 (ESV) states that “neither death nor life, nor angels nor rulers, nor things present nor things to come, nor powers, nor height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord”. What an encouraging and comforting promise to hold on to as we walk through life! Not only can we be comforted by this knowledge, but we also have assurance of a place in heaven when our life on earth is over. In a less well-known verse of the hymn, Anna wrote, “Then his little child will take, up to heaven for his dear sake”. In John 14, Jesus explained that He would go to prepare a place for His followers and that He would come again and take them to Himself (John 14:1-3). Paul, when exhorting the Philippian Christians to “[strain] forward” and “press on”, tells them that their citizenship is in heaven and that they are awaiting their Saviour to come for them (Philippians 3:13,14,20). This is the true and genuine hope of the believer. The prize we press on towards is not part of this world but is the full enjoyment of the gift of eternal life that we have already received (Romans 6:23) in our permanent home with our Lord in the Father’s house (John 14:2,3).
Though I’m very weak and ill
As this hymn was first written as a poem for a fictional dying child, there is an additional verse that featured in the novel but is not usually sung. It says:
“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.”
Walking through life as a Christian doesn’t make us exempt from trials and hardships. In fact, the Bible confirms that we will face them. Yet, we do not face these trials and hardships in our own strength. The apostle Paul pleaded with the Lord to remove what he described as his “thorn in the flesh”. Whatever it was, the Lord did not remove this particular challenge or weakness from him but instead used it for His glory. Paul was assured in 2 Corinthians 12:7-10 (ESV) that, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” Paul’s response was to boast in his weakness for he knew and understood that “when I am weak, then I am strong”. Believers may experience physical limitations and illness, but our strength does not come from our own health but from a God who loves us, watches us, and can use our weaknesses for His glory. Whatever we face, day by day, as believers in the Lord Jesus, we can always rest in the knowledge that He “loves me still”.