Someone Jesus Loves

We are back into the swing of the program year, which includes my monthly chapel time with the children of Noah's Ark Preschool. Though the Bible stories I share in chapel each month can vary from year to year, our September story is always the same: Jesus Blesses the Children. 

In this story, found in the three synoptic Gospels (Matthew, Mark, and Luke), parents bring their children to Jesus so that he can bless them. His disciples, however, speak sternly to them, turning the families away. Jesus is too busy, too important to be bothered by their sticky hands, energetic bodies, and incessant questions. 

But Jesus, hearing his disciples’ admonishments, issues his own invitation: "Let the children come to me, and do not stop them, for it is to such as these that the kingdom of heaven belongs” (Matt. 19:14).

https://act.library.vanderbilt.edu/artworks/59289

After telling this story to the preschoolers, we sing “Jesus Loves Me”. This song becomes our closing song each month, and it is helpful to have the extra time to introduce the hand motions, especially to the 3s classes who are coming to chapel with me for the first time!

After we sing, I hold up a small cloth bag. “This is my special bag,” I tell them. “When you look into my special bag, you'll see someone Jesus loves.” I bring the bag to each one of them, holding it open so they can peek inside. Each time, I am greeted by their surprised and smiling faces reflected back to me, for my “special bag” contains a big round mirror! Every child looks inside and sees someone Jesus loves.

After each one has had a turn to look, I return to my seat on the chancel steps and ask a series of questions: “We know that Jesus loves us, but what about other people? Does Jesus love…our families?” Their heads nod vigorously, and I am greeted by a chorus of “yeses”. “What about our friends? Our neighbors?” More yeses. “Does Jesus love people who live far away?” Yes! 

But then it gets a little trickier. “Does Jesus love people who have a hard time listening?” A bit of hesitation, with some yeses and some nos. “Yes,” I say, “Jesus does! What about people who are mean? Does Jesus love people who are mean?” A louder chorus of “noooo” rises from the front pews. “Yes, Jesus loves even people who are mean! No matter what we do, Jesus never stops loving us. That love fills us up and helps us to be kind, listen well, and love one another.”

In a world that seems intent to divide us from one another, I think we also need these reminders: that Jesus loves you - deeply, completely, no matter what - and Jesus loves everyone. We will never look into the face of someone Jesus does not love - whatever their race, political affiliation, country of origin, sexuality or gender identity, class or status, or anything else. 

I wonder how this reminder might shape our interactions and soften our hearts toward those who often feel like our enemies. Sometimes, “Remember, Jesus loves them” might be a needed assurance - “It's a good thing Jesus loves you,” we might mutter under our breath, “because I'm really having a hard time.” At other times, it might help us look a little longer or a little deeper or with a little more compassion when encountered with someone we're inclined to dismiss. 

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.