Jesus Loves You

Anna and Susan Warner were devout Christians. Among other things, the sisters taught Sunday school classes for the cadets at the U.S. Military Academy in West Point. When their father died, they turned to writing in an effort to secure an income, and produced a number of best-selling novels.

One of their novels was called Say and Seal. Written in 1860, it included a poem spoken by one of the characters to comfort a child who was dying. The poem described the love of Jesus. While thousands read their novel, that poem had the most impact. It was called “Jesus Loves Me.”

Both children and adults were moved by the simplicity of the poem’s message. Its words still resonate: “Jesus loves me! This I know, for the Bible tells me so. Little ones to Him belong; they are weak, but He is strong.”

In 1861, William Bradbury composed accompanying music, and it became a favorite song for children throughout the world. Like many adults, you may have grown up singing this song. But you may have forgotten the simplicity of its message. As the Warner sisters wrote, “Jesus loves me still today, walking with me on my way.”

If you need comfort or peace today, remember “Jesus loves me! He will stay close beside me all the way.” And remember that He died so Heaven’s gate will “open wide” for you. “He will wash away my sin, let His little child come in.”