Jesus Loves Me! (ELW 595)
Devotion
Jesus loves me! this I know,
for the Bible tells me so;
little ones to him belong,
they are weak, but he is strong.
Refrain
Yes, Jesus loves me,
yes, Jesus loves me,
yes, Jesus loves me,
the Bible tells me so.
Text: Anna B. Warner (1820-1915), alt.
I've risked modifying this familiar hymn just a bit:
Jesus loves us, this we know, for God's people tell us so.
Little ones to him belong, we are weak, but he is strong.
Yes, Jesus loves us, yes, Jesus loves us,
Yes, Jesus loves us, God's people tell us so.
Why modify? Because God's love embraces every person, not just me. God's love abounds for all people. In all the readings this past week, entire communities or groups were the focus. Why modify? Because even before the Bible it was people—parents, relatives, church members—who told me that Jesus loves me. The Bible is also included in the story of God's people who tell us so. Why modify? Because I, God's little one, am weak. We are weak, Jesus is strong.
Prayer
All-embracing God, your love extends beyond our human understanding, yet fills us with joy so we sing of your love. Keep us singing of your love for all of us, your little ones. Amen.