Out of the Mouths of Babes

Psalm 8

June 3, 2007

From the lips of children and infants you have ordained praise because of your enemies, to silence the foe and the avenger (Psalm 8:2).

Bruce Howell writes, "It was a cold winters day, a good day to visit the mall and engage in one of my favorite pastimes---people watching, while my wife engaged in one of her favorite activities---shopping! I was sitting on a bench with some other lonesome-looking men, who were also waiting for their wives, when I heard the most beautiful song my ears have ever had the privilege of entertaining. I turned to see the origin of this sweet melody when my eyes fell upon a little girl of four or five. There she was, walking with her tiny hand in her mother’s, oblivious to her surroundings, singing at the top of her lungs, “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; yes Jesus loves me, the Bible tells me so.” Over and over she repeated the lyrics to the amusement of the mall shoppers, totally uninhibited by their stares. It was quite a moment. Innocence on display. Or should I say, faith exposed. It is true, out of the mouth of babes, God has ordained praise."

This story reminded me of something I once read about Karl Barth, the renowned German theologian who dominated the theology of the 20th century. In 1962, six years before his death, Barth made his only visit to the United States . One evening he lectured at Union Theological Seminary in Richmond , Virginia . After the lecture he met with students in the coffee shop for some informal dialogue. A student asked him if there was any way he could summarize his vast theological findings. He wanted to know what Barth thought was the essence of the Christian faith. The great theologian paused for a moment. No doubt the others waited for some profound, intellectual insight. Then Barth answered deliberately, “Yes, I can summarize in a few words my understanding of the Christian faith. Let me put it this way: ‘Jesus loves me this I know, for the Bible tells me so.’”

This was an absolutely overwhelming moment for his hearers. There sat the most renowned theologian of the age expressing his final conclusion in words he learned at his mother’s knees. A little girl in a mall and a theological giant had something in common---they both understood the essence of Christianity. We are reminded in the Bible to become as children so that we can enter the kingdom; and the core of our faith may be understood in the simplicity of a childhood song.

John Wesley in his young days took his sermons and read them to an old domestic servant. He told her to stop him every time he said something she didn’t understand. His manuscripts became masses of changes, alterations, erasures, and additions. But they were able to be understood, and that was his main concern. The childhood hymn, “Jesus Loves Me” is also easily understood, so much so that its message may be overlooked.  So let’s take a look at this simple song.

Jesus loves me this I know. Stated more simply, “I know Jesus loves me.” One of the foremost human needs is to know that we are loved. When someone says, “I love you,” something wonderful happens inside. Self-doubt, despair, and loneliness are chased away. Our failures are covered and a feeling of self-acceptance sweeps over us. To be loved, “warts and all,” is a blessing indeed. And how much more a blessing to be loved by God Himself! He looked beyond our faults and saw our need. He set His love upon us. He went to extreme lengths to demonstrate it, even to the cross.

For the Bible tells me so. So many of us, who, at one time or another have felt apart from God, separated from God’s love, ask, “How can anyone know beyond any doubt that God loves them?” Perhaps we were feeling unworthy of God’s love because of sin in our own lives, and in our defensive anger we want to debate and put down those who would sing this simple, yet profound song.

But the reason the Christian knows that he or she is loved is because the Bible declares it to be so.

Now, the Bible is not a science text, although it does contain a great deal of scientific information. It is not an encyclopedia, although it does include a vast amount of knowledge on almost any subject. It is not an answer book or textbook on psychology, but in its pages are principles by which we can live happier and healthier lives.

The Bible has as its primary goal the revelation of God’s nature and plan for humanity and its central message is “God loves His creatures, even His sinning creatures—even the ones who feel unworthy of that love.” The Bible is God’s love letter to us- it tells us so!

Little ones to Him belong. I once heard a definition of a Christian that has stayed with me: “One who believes, behaves, and belongs.” Have you ever felt as if you didn’t belong---that you didn’t have a place, a standing, a family? You can belong to Jesus. If you are a Christian, you DO belong to Him. If you are not, you CAN belong to Him. When believers feel small or insignificant, they can take this as their hope and comfort: “I BELONG TO HIM!” Our worth flows out of our relationship with Him.

We are favored, set apart as His special possession---adopted into His glorious family. We were once orphans, all of us, but our wonderful Lord had it in mind eons ago to take us into His house. Listen to what Jesus says: “Behold I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door I will come in and have fellowship with him.” In other words, all we need do is open the door and let Jesus in, because he wants to have a personal relationship with each and every one of us!

They are weak but He is strong. Yes, it is true. We often hate to admit it, but we are weak---weak in our devotion, in our testimony, in our battle with temptation. But God does not leave us in our weakness to struggle alone with forces beyond our ability. Have you ever felt His hand on your shoulder---a supportive touch to let you know that in spite of shortcomings you are loved, you are strengthened? Usually it comes via a brother or sister in the Lord, another person who calls or visits just when we need it.

Jesus specializes in using others to convey His power and love. Later, as you reflected on it, you knew that it was God speaking through that friend. His strength is perfect when our strength is gone. He carries us when we can’t carry on.

“Grandpa walked into the family room and found his little grandson, Jeffy, standing up in his playpen, crying.

“He looked so pitiful, standing there in his little baseball T-shirt and diaper. His face was red and tear-stained from crying. When Jeffy saw his grandpa, his face lit up in a way that smote the old man’s heart. He immediately reached up his chubby little hands in supplication, “Out Pop-pop, out!”

“What grandpa could resist such a plea? Not this one! He walked over to the playpen and reached down to lift his little buddy out of captivity and distress.
Just then, however, Law and Order stepped into the room.

“Jeffy’s mother walked out of the kitchen with a dishtowel in her hand and spoke sternly. “No, Jeffy! You are being punished. You have to stay in bed! Leave him right there, Dad.”

Now what’s a grandpa to do? His grandson’s tears and reaching little hands tugged mightily at his heart- but he didn’t want to interfere with a mother’s discipline either.

“He couldn’t stand staying in the same room with the boy, reading his newspaper and pretending not to notice. Nor could he turn around and walk out the door without feeling like a betrayer to his little pal. What could he do?
Love found a way.

“Since Grandpa couldn’t take Jeffy out of the playpen, he climbed in with him. “If you’re in the playpen, Buddy, I’m in the playpen. What’s your sentence? How long are you in for?” And finding a big, jolly grandpa suddenly filling his little prison cell, the little boy found comfort even in his captivity.”

Yes, Jesus loves us—even when we get stuck in our own prisons in life, he is willing to climb in with us to comfort us and to help us get out.

“Jesus loves me, this I know, for the Bible tells me so. Little ones to Him belong. They are weak but He is strong.” Out of the mouths of babes, we hear a simple children’s hymn with profound spiritual implications. Let it become your theme song, sung from the heart. Sing it loudly as you walk through the crowded streets of life.  Smile, and make people stare.  Jesus may just be using you as the reminder that someone else needs, to know that they are loved by the King.