Dr. Karl Barth was considered by many scholars to be one of the most brilliant theologians of the 20th Century. He was a prolific writer and wrote volumes on the meaning of life and faith. The story is told that once when he was lecturing at Princeton Theological Seminary that a student asked him what was the greatest truth he had ever learned. Dr. Barth thought for a moment and then said: “The greatest truth that I have ever learned was at my mother’s knee, ‘Jesus loves me, this I know, for the Bible tells me so.’"
There is no doubt about it that one of the
best known children’s songs throughout the world is “Jesus loves me,
this I know.” That particular song, as well as “Amazing Grace,” is a
vital part of the fond memories of many adults. However, there is a
vast majority of adults who may not know these songs and do not know
about Jesus. It is for those persons who have not been introduced to
Jesus that I want to reach with the greatest story every told.
I became aware of the story about how this song was written on Monday night, January 11, when Bob and BJ Reifsnyder entertained some 104 guests at the annual Centurion Banquet in Alexandria, VA. BJ, Bob's talented wife, played the cowbells and Bob played the harmonica. They are gifted musicians. Bob interspersed their music with words of hope and promise from the Bible, and told this story about the writing of "Jesus loves me, this I know, for the Bible tells me so." He was gracious enough to send me a copy of the story he had gotten at West Point Military Academy.
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.
Jesus loves me when I'm good.
When I do the things I should.
Jesus loves me when I'm bad,
but it makes him oh so sad.
Jesus loves me, this I know,
Though my hair is white as snow.
Though my sight is growing dim,
Still He bids me trust in him.
This song was written by Anna B. Warner in 1860. Anna and her sister, Susan resided with their father at Constitution Island directly across the Hudson River from West Point, NY. These sisters authored many books and had a strong devotion to God. They shared their faith and taught Bible classes to the cadets well into their senior years.
I was blessed to be born and reared in a Christian home. My father was a bi-vocational pastor, and my mother had been a missionary to China prior to my birth. When I was six years old, I invited Jesus to come into my heart as my Savior and Lord on the last day of a Vacation Bible school. I knew that God had forgiven me of my sins, and written my name in the Lamb’s Book of Life. I had the witness of the Holy Spirit within my being that God had given me new life in Jesus. I immediately became an evangelist, and went from home to home in my neighborhood, telling parents and children about my experience. And I invited them to do the same if they had not received Jesus Christ.
When I was a young Marine at Quantico, VA, God used a Methodist Navy Chaplain to remind me of my earlier commitment to Jesus Christ. Through the ministry of the Holy Spirit in my life, I rededicated my life to Jesus and said with Joshua of old, “But as for me and my house, we will serve the LORD” (Joshua 24:15, NKJV). I have endeavored to follow Jesus now for seventy-one years.
Let me share the words to another song that is ringing in my soul today:
"That Beautiful Name"
I know of a name,
A beautiful name,
That angels brought down to earth;
They whispered it low,
One night long ago,
To a maiden of lowly birth.
That beautiful Name,
That beautiful Name,
From sin has power to free us!
That beautiful Name,
That wonderful Name,
That matchless Name is Jesus!
I know of a Name,
A beautiful Name,
That unto a Babe was given;
The stars glittered bright
Throughout that glad night,
And angels praised God in Heav'n.
That beautiful Name,
That beautiful Name,
From sin has power to free us!
That beautiful Name,
That wonderful Name,
That matchless Name is Jesus!
The One of that Name,
My Savior became,
My Savior of Calvary.
My sins nailed Him there;
My burdens He bare.
He suffered all this for me.
That beautiful Name,
That beautiful Name,
From sin has power to free us!
That beautiful Name,
That wonderful Name,
That matchless Name is Jesus!
I love that blest Name,
that wonderful Name,
Made higher than all in Heav'n
'Twas whispered, I know,
In my heart long ago
To Jesus my life I've given.
Have you met this Jesus who loved you so much that He went to the Cross of Calvary to die in your place. He took your sins upon Himself Who never sinned so that you might be forgiven of all your sins, given a new life that can only come through the New Birth. That means being born from above by the Holy Spirit of God.
The Bible says, "For by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God, not of works, lest anyone should boast" (Ephesians 2:8-9, NKJV).
Salvation is a free gift. You cannot be saved by good works. Only Jesus can save you. You must receive Him by faith.
God's Word says:
Romans 10:9-13
if you confess with your mouth the Lord Jesus and believe in your heart that God has raised Him from the dead, you will be saved. For with the heart one believes unto righteousness, and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation. For the Scripture says, "Whoever believes on Him will not be put to shame." For there is no distinction between Jew and Greek, for the same Lord over all is rich to all who call upon Him. 13 For "whoever calls on the name of the LORD shall be saved."
NKJV
I invite you to call upon the Name of the Lord just now. He will save you wherever your might be. Open your heart to Him. You will never be disappointed in Jesus.
Posted on
Tue, February 16, 2010
by Hugh Morgan