There is a song that I have sang since I was a little child. If my memory serves me, my first hearing of this song took place in my home from my parents. I continued to sing it at the church where I attended Sunday School and Children’s Church. People who loved me and cared for me taught me this song and it stays with me to this day. However, as my age advances, my mind can’t help but question if the words are completely true. Now that I approach the half century mark, this grows increasingly important to me. Words after all have meaning, but even more than that, they have power.
I am cautious in sharing these thoughts, because I am sure that, like me, almost everyone who grew up attending a Christian Church are familiar with this song, sang this song, and most likely cherish it as an early memory as well as a meaningful lyric. What song is it? Please brace yourself, because this answer may surprise you. The song I question is, ‘Jesus Loves Me’.
Now before you get upset or question my spiritual sanity, please understand, I agree with the part that says, ‘Jesus Loves Me’. But that is only because He really does, and more so than we will ever know. No, the part I question is deeper into the words. You know the words, please sing them with me…
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.
Did you see the words I question? Did they jump out at you? My guess is they didn’t. Why? I believe it is because we have sang this song for so many years that we just take for granted that all the words are true. Who would question a song titled, ‘Jesus Loves Me’? What kind of Christian would say there is something wrong here? Well, I can only answer that question with one word. Me.
To be clear, there is no question in my mind that Jesus loves me, or that the Bible tells me so. In this song, there is really only one word I question. But that one word says a lot and quite honestly can set a life on a lesser course if it is believed. What is the word?
The word in question is an adjective, you know, a descriptive word that talks about the ‘little ones.’ The song lyric says that the little ones are ‘weak’. There, that’s it, that is what I believe is wrong with this song. For you see, they are not ‘weak’.
Perhaps, after breaking my silence, you question why I have issues with this word. Afterall, it is just one word. Besides, you’ve seen little kids before and, they are weak. What’s the big deal?
It was said before that words have meaning and more so, words have power. Not to mention the fact that we have a responsibility to question if the thoughts we entertain are in agreement with God or disagreement? Doesn’t the Bible tell us to take captive every thought that sets itself up against the knowledge of God? In case you’re wondering, yes, it does.
If you question me questioning, please entertain this question: What does the Bible and Jesus tell us about the status and identity of children in the Kingdom of God? Look close, because I am pretty sure you won’t walk away with the answer that says, “Yup, they are weak.” On the contrary, you will find that it tells us that they have power and access to Jesus. Lets look at a few things the good book says.
When people brought their children to Jesus and the disciples tried to turn them away Jesus said, ‘Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them, for the Kingdom of heaven belongs to such as these.’(Mark 10:14) First notice that Jesus said, let them come. But then He shows that the the Kingdom belongs to those who are like them. Why is that? I suggest it is because the little children do not yet have a Kingdom of their own.
This makes sense because, the older we get, the larger our Kingdom becomes. What we own, who we love, where we live, etc…. This starts early too. It doesn’t take long and even the most well mannered child starts saying, “MINE!”. But still, they can have access to Jesus and they possess qualities we need. Children have a great status. But wait, there is more…
The Bible in the book of Psalm tells us the power of a child. It says, ‘From the lips of children and infants You have ordained praise on account of Your adversaries, to silence the enemy and avenger.’ (Psalm 8:2) Are children weak like the song says? From what I read in the Bible, I say NO. A resounding NO. Children are a great example for us who pursue the Kingdom of God, but they are more than our example. They are powerful! Did you see what Psalm 8:2 said? It tells us that God has established their praise and that it silences the enemy. That is huge!
Physically they are weak. As a matter of fact, we all are relatively speaking. But when I sing ‘Jesus Loves Me’, I am not thinking about physical strength. No, I am looking at the spiritual strength that God intends for us to walk in. Children are not weak. They are strong.
Now that you see why the lyrics to this beloved children’s song seems wrong to me. Might I suggest a solution. Instead of singing over children and having them sing in agreement that they are weak, why not change the song. This song has been around since 1859, written by William B. Bradbury. Now, it is in the public domain and, with no disrespect to Mr. Bradbury, I think it is ok, and time, to take some creative license and start using a word that more accurately reflects what the Bible says about the children in this world.
As matter of fact, this is something that I have done personally for the past several years, even before I had my first child. Now, I can say that I have sang a ‘New Song’ over each of my children as I have put them to bed, prayed for them, and watched them grow. It is a simple change, but I believe it has had an impact on my children. Here is what I suggest and sing:
Jesus loves me this I know,
For the Bible tells me so.
Little ones to Him belong,
They are GREAT but He is strong.
Yes Jesus loves me.
Yes Jesus loves me.
Yes Jesus loves me.
The Bible tells me so.
That’s it, just changing the word ‘weak’ to ‘Great’. Perhaps there is a better word, but it works melodically and it makes a greater statement and proclamation over our children than ‘weak’.
I’ve written it twice before, and now write it a third time. Our words have power. What we say over children matters. This is no small thing. Sure, physically, children are weak, but spiritually, they are powerhouses. When we raise them up and they proclaim faith in Jesus, but they proclaim and agree with the idea that they are weak, we hinder their strength in life. But when we give them truth to agree with- Truth that says who they are. Truth that tells them that they are great in the Kingdom of God. We give them truth to agree with, and when you agree with God’s truth, you can’t go wrong.
I don’t believe that it is a stretch to say that this is and has been a strategy of the enemy for centuries. I do not believe that this was in anyway William B. Bradbury’s intentions. I think His intent and motivation for the people of God was good. However, as with all good things, even God’s Word, the enemy can take those words and twist them until a generation accepts half-truths as whole-truths. And this is a dangerous thing.
This brings up a question that is worth answering. What other songs are you singing that perpetuate a half-truth or untruth in your life? There are others out there, and from looking at ‘Jesus Loves Me’, we know it is an easy trap to fall into. But be encouraged, God is big and His Spirit is there to lead us into His truth, His whole truth.
As Christians we are called by God to meditate on His Word and to be transformed by the renewing of our minds. Here is one way I believe we can start. Let’s call children and even sing what children really are; and encourage them to sing it about themselves. They are great, Jesus is strong, and He loves me, for the Bible tells me so.
I am cautious in sharing these thoughts, because I am sure that, like me, almost everyone who grew up attending a Christian Church are familiar with this song, sang this song, and most likely cherish it as an early memory as well as a meaningful lyric. What song is it? Please brace yourself, because this answer may surprise you. The song I question is, ‘Jesus Loves Me’.
Now before you get upset or question my spiritual sanity, please understand, I agree with the part that says, ‘Jesus Loves Me’. But that is only because He really does, and more so than we will ever know. No, the part I question is deeper into the words. You know the words, please sing them with me…
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.
Did you see the words I question? Did they jump out at you? My guess is they didn’t. Why? I believe it is because we have sang this song for so many years that we just take for granted that all the words are true. Who would question a song titled, ‘Jesus Loves Me’? What kind of Christian would say there is something wrong here? Well, I can only answer that question with one word. Me.
To be clear, there is no question in my mind that Jesus loves me, or that the Bible tells me so. In this song, there is really only one word I question. But that one word says a lot and quite honestly can set a life on a lesser course if it is believed. What is the word?
The word in question is an adjective, you know, a descriptive word that talks about the ‘little ones.’ The song lyric says that the little ones are ‘weak’. There, that’s it, that is what I believe is wrong with this song. For you see, they are not ‘weak’.
Perhaps, after breaking my silence, you question why I have issues with this word. Afterall, it is just one word. Besides, you’ve seen little kids before and, they are weak. What’s the big deal?
It was said before that words have meaning and more so, words have power. Not to mention the fact that we have a responsibility to question if the thoughts we entertain are in agreement with God or disagreement? Doesn’t the Bible tell us to take captive every thought that sets itself up against the knowledge of God? In case you’re wondering, yes, it does.
If you question me questioning, please entertain this question: What does the Bible and Jesus tell us about the status and identity of children in the Kingdom of God? Look close, because I am pretty sure you won’t walk away with the answer that says, “Yup, they are weak.” On the contrary, you will find that it tells us that they have power and access to Jesus. Lets look at a few things the good book says.
When people brought their children to Jesus and the disciples tried to turn them away Jesus said, ‘Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them, for the Kingdom of heaven belongs to such as these.’(Mark 10:14) First notice that Jesus said, let them come. But then He shows that the the Kingdom belongs to those who are like them. Why is that? I suggest it is because the little children do not yet have a Kingdom of their own.
This makes sense because, the older we get, the larger our Kingdom becomes. What we own, who we love, where we live, etc…. This starts early too. It doesn’t take long and even the most well mannered child starts saying, “MINE!”. But still, they can have access to Jesus and they possess qualities we need. Children have a great status. But wait, there is more…
The Bible in the book of Psalm tells us the power of a child. It says, ‘From the lips of children and infants You have ordained praise on account of Your adversaries, to silence the enemy and avenger.’ (Psalm 8:2) Are children weak like the song says? From what I read in the Bible, I say NO. A resounding NO. Children are a great example for us who pursue the Kingdom of God, but they are more than our example. They are powerful! Did you see what Psalm 8:2 said? It tells us that God has established their praise and that it silences the enemy. That is huge!
Physically they are weak. As a matter of fact, we all are relatively speaking. But when I sing ‘Jesus Loves Me’, I am not thinking about physical strength. No, I am looking at the spiritual strength that God intends for us to walk in. Children are not weak. They are strong.
Now that you see why the lyrics to this beloved children’s song seems wrong to me. Might I suggest a solution. Instead of singing over children and having them sing in agreement that they are weak, why not change the song. This song has been around since 1859, written by William B. Bradbury. Now, it is in the public domain and, with no disrespect to Mr. Bradbury, I think it is ok, and time, to take some creative license and start using a word that more accurately reflects what the Bible says about the children in this world.
As matter of fact, this is something that I have done personally for the past several years, even before I had my first child. Now, I can say that I have sang a ‘New Song’ over each of my children as I have put them to bed, prayed for them, and watched them grow. It is a simple change, but I believe it has had an impact on my children. Here is what I suggest and sing:
Jesus loves me this I know,
For the Bible tells me so.
Little ones to Him belong,
They are GREAT but He is strong.
Yes Jesus loves me.
Yes Jesus loves me.
Yes Jesus loves me.
The Bible tells me so.
That’s it, just changing the word ‘weak’ to ‘Great’. Perhaps there is a better word, but it works melodically and it makes a greater statement and proclamation over our children than ‘weak’.
I’ve written it twice before, and now write it a third time. Our words have power. What we say over children matters. This is no small thing. Sure, physically, children are weak, but spiritually, they are powerhouses. When we raise them up and they proclaim faith in Jesus, but they proclaim and agree with the idea that they are weak, we hinder their strength in life. But when we give them truth to agree with- Truth that says who they are. Truth that tells them that they are great in the Kingdom of God. We give them truth to agree with, and when you agree with God’s truth, you can’t go wrong.
I don’t believe that it is a stretch to say that this is and has been a strategy of the enemy for centuries. I do not believe that this was in anyway William B. Bradbury’s intentions. I think His intent and motivation for the people of God was good. However, as with all good things, even God’s Word, the enemy can take those words and twist them until a generation accepts half-truths as whole-truths. And this is a dangerous thing.
This brings up a question that is worth answering. What other songs are you singing that perpetuate a half-truth or untruth in your life? There are others out there, and from looking at ‘Jesus Loves Me’, we know it is an easy trap to fall into. But be encouraged, God is big and His Spirit is there to lead us into His truth, His whole truth.
As Christians we are called by God to meditate on His Word and to be transformed by the renewing of our minds. Here is one way I believe we can start. Let’s call children and even sing what children really are; and encourage them to sing it about themselves. They are great, Jesus is strong, and He loves me, for the Bible tells me so.
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