My Paisley Chair

Last week after a sermon on Truth and the standard for truth set by the Word of God, I led the benediction song. A song so familiar that no words were needed on the screen. A song so brilliantly written to contain the whole of the gospel in a simple melody that children can grasp and sing for the remainder of their lives. And as I led this simple, theologically sound song I was a flood with memories of my childhood Sunday School class.

I remember each Sunday entering the classroom in time to see our teacher carefully smoothing out all the wrinkles of the flannel background in readiness for the story that was about to unfold as colorful felt figures were placed on the storyboard. In just a few minutes we would be allowed to place each character on the background to bring to life biblical truths as she told the accounts of Moses at the Red Sea, Joshua with the walls of Jericho falling, and Daniel in the Lion’s Den. We would also see Jesus walk on felt water and calm the sea, Paul falling from a donkey on the road to Damascus and three crosses on the hill of Calvary.

Coloring pages were at the ready to support all that we had heard. The smell of freshly broken crayons would fill the room as we peeled back the paper and broke colors to share with our classmates. All of this took place as we devoured the snack provided which usually consisted of animal crackers packaged in the most amazing little box that looked like circus cages full of wildlife. On rare occasions we would have butter cookies, the kind that have a hole in the middle and scallops on the edges. The hole was just big enough to fit on my chubby fingers and I would make them last as long as possible by nibbling the edges slowly down to my pinky finger.

And then – song time came like clockwork! Acapella was the fare of those days, unless a brave soul handed out rhythm instruments, aka noise makers. This is the atmosphere in which I learned the song with brilliant theology, long before I knew what theology was. We were learning a truth that would undergird and sustain our spiritual journey for a lifetime. If we could only grasp one thing, it should be this. If there ever was a song that needed to get stuck in our head and saturate our heart, it is this one. Can you hear it? Jesus Loves Me This I Know!

Theology even a child can understand, such is the gospel of Jesus Christ. He loves me, and I know it because the Bible tells me so. The Bible, the infallible, inerrant, never changing, supreme expression of God’s heart has stated that Jesus loves me. This I know is true!

Not only does Jesus love me, but I belong to Him. He is my Shepherd/Owner. The Creator, Caregiver and Overseer of all of the affairs of the universe is who I belong to. I’ve been purchased at so high a price that it is beyond my understanding, but this I know, I am valuable to Him.

My weakness is not an issue, because He is strong. In fact, on my best of days, my strength will always pale in comparison to His. I am not a nuisance because I rely on His strength, He delights to come to my rescue. In my weakness He is strong and it shows just how much He cares and the depth of His love for me.

To the annoyance of some, I sometimes say the same thing over and over again with the emphasis on the next word at every repetition, until I have emphasized every word! YES, Jesus love me. Yes, JESUS loves me. Yes, Jesus LOVES me. Yes, Jesus love ME! I know this because the Bible tells me so. 

If the Bible says it – it must be True! If this statement is true, then the whole Bible is true! I know this in the depth of my soul.