Devotional Thoughts Based on the Glory to God Hymnal

Then little children were being brought to Him in order that He might lay His hands on them and pray. The disciples spoke sternly to those who brought them; but Jesus said, “Let the little children come to me, and do not stop them for it is to such as these that the kingdom of heaven belongs.” And He laid His hands on them and went His way.

Matthew 19:13-15.

The scripture reference for this hymn is the familiar story of Jesus welcoming the children to come to Him. The mothers and fathers were bringing their children to Jesus for a blessing. The disciples felt Jesus was too busy to lay His hands on the children. Jesus upbraids His disciples by affirming that the kingdom of heaven belongs to those young, innocent, and receptive. If Jesus takes time to bless the children, then it is perfectly clear that Jesus loves the children and putting ourselves in that picture that Jesus Loves Me.

The Glory to God commentator wrote:

Few songs of faith have supported people from cradle to grave like this one. The great theologian Karl Barth said that the opening two lines were a summary of all he had learned.

At the Pearisburg Presbyterian Preschool, a teacher taught me another verse of this beloved songs. Listen:

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 very sad.
Yes, Jesus Love Me, Yes, Jesus Loves Me,
Yes, Jesus Loves Me, the Bible tells me so.

Indeed, Jesus love Me… Jesus loves Us, and it is a song that serves us well from our early childhood through advanced age. What a comfort it is to know that Jesus loves us yesterday, today, and forever.

Prayer

Dear Jesus, we thank You that You made time for children … taking them up in Your arms, embracing them and blessing them. In these actions we see Your love for them. Thank You for loving us too, even when we have become too big to be seated in Your lap. Amen.