Advent – Love
A reflection on Love – an extension to our Living the Story: Advent & Christmas journal.
“Jesus loves me this I know, for the Bible tells me so.” If you recognize these words as part of a song, then you were likely raised in a home where this was sung with young children. Did you find yourself singing the melody?
When you examine this simple song, memorized for generations, it becomes apparent that it really contains a solid teaching of what it means to be a Christ follower. In researching this song, written in the late 1800’s, I realized that there are a variety of verses that have been added or deleted over time and for various purposes. You are probably familiar with at least some of these verses …..
Vs. 1 “Jesus loves me, this I know, for the Bible tells me so. Little ones to Him belong, they are weak for He is strong.”
This verse reveals God’s great love for us all and reminds us that God’s word is the inspired revelation of His love for all of us—of all time. The next part speaks of our human need. We are weak—because we sin. In spite of our weakness, Jesus still loves us and makes us strong and calls us His friend. Calls us to love others.
“As the father has loved me, so I have loved you. Now remain in my love. If you keep my commands, you will remain in my love, just as I have kept my Father’s commands and remain in His love. I have told you this so that my joy may be in you and that your joy may be complete. My command is this: Love each other as I have loved you.” John 15:9
Vs. 2 “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.”
This speaks of God’s great plan. Jesus was given flesh, walked among us, and the plan was for him to die - for us as sinners. He took that on for us. The crucifixion fulfills the plan.
“Greater love has no one than this: to lay down one’s life for one’s friends.” John 15:13
Vs. 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.”
In understanding what Christ has done for us, His great love for us, we are hearing a message of hope and salvation, a life in His presence. Our sin was removed. Heaven waits for us.
Vs. 4 “Jesus loves the children dear, children far away or near, they are safe when in His care, every day and everywhere.”
This is a message of assurance and comfort that ALL who choose Him, all nations, tribes, castes, peoples, religions have a place in the kingdom of God. People of all nations responded to Jesus—regardless of nationality, political views and languages—Christ’s love spread into the world so that all may know Him. He protects all of us through sorrow, poverty, loneliness, tragedy and sin. What does that protection look like? What about the “tough times” for us as individuals or the raging battles happening in some nations? What do the words “safe in his care” actually mean? These are big questions of where is God’s love in times of difficulty. For me, I look to our own personal stories of faith—to our own journey. In 1994, Dec. 22 our 4 month old son passed away after a heart surgery. The sorrow was deep. Every Christmas card seemed to be a picture of Mary holding baby Jesus and there I was—my arms were empty. We were surrounded by the prayers of fellow believers, supported by a faith community and found ourselves saying over and over, “we trust you Lord”. We felt Christ’s love in it all. Other Christ followers were loving on us! Jesus' commandments were being fulfilled in our lives. As a result, it was a supernatural peace that we experienced! We were blessed with the “peace that passes all understanding”! For us, it was a big realization that to live in faith we needed others. Living as a disciple, growing in faith, required a community and a connection to other Christ followers. Find that for yourself. It may not look like a traditional “church community” but it is interesting to realize that this love of Christ, shared with others, built up and encouraged by others is what the early church was built on. There is peace in resting in His love, the love of other believers and knowing that regardless of what we face, He walks alongside us.
Vs. 5 “Jesus take this heart of mine, make it pure and wholly thine, thou has bled and died for me, I will henceforth live for thee.”
Here is the crucial step for a Christ follower, to experience the love of Jesus in such a way, that your heart is pulled to love Him back, to live for him, to be able to sing both of these songs: “Jesus loves me” and “Oh, how I love Jesus”.
This is a life transformed by his love, to become His disciple and continue in the joy of sharing His love with others.
As Jesus spent His last evening with the disciples, He said, “A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another. By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another.” John 13:34-35
People should know you are a disciple, a Christ follower, by how you love God and how you love others. This is not too complicated. However, I know that for me, it requires a constant examination of my heart. Apathy, anger, hate, distractions and my own sin can all interfere with my ability to fulfill these commands. Oh how I often take this love from Christ for granted!
The Pharisees, who were experts in the laws of the Jewish people, were challenging Jesus with a bit of a Q and A and asked “What is the greatest commandment in the Law?”
Jesus condensed the entire package of laws and rules to two commands ….’Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.’ This is the first and greatest commandment. And the second is like it: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’ Matthew 22:37-39
Love God. Love others. In that love, may you experience hope, peace and joy.
Written by:
Lorraine Kehler
