Jesus Loves The Little Children Of The World

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.

I really like children’s songs. Truth is explained in words so simple and basic that you cannot help but take notice – even now as adults. And sometimes we just need to be reminded of the simplicity of the gospel in the words of songs we were taught before we could even read.

Like this song: Jesus loves the little children. All the children of the world. Red, brown, yellow, black and white – they are precious in His sight. Jesus loves the little children of the world.

Did you ever think about how profound that sentiment was in the first century? Picture this: the church has just been established, and what is the very first thing that happens? Do they distribute flyers? Or build a building? Or plan a meeting? Or start a mission? Or create an outreach? No. None of those things.

We find out exactly what the very first thing this newly established church did in the book of Acts. In Acts 2:8-12 the witnesses in the crowd say this: “And how is it that we each hear them in our own language to which we were born? Parthians and Medes and Elamites, and residents of Mesopotamia, Judea and Cappadocia, Pontus and Asia, Phrygia and Pamphylia, Egypt and the districts of Libya around Cyrene, and visitors from Rome, both Jews and proselytes, Cretans and Arabs—we hear them in our own tongues speaking of the mighty deeds of God.” And they all continued in amazement and great perplexity, saying to one another, “What does this mean?”

Seriously? Everyone heard the gospel concerning Jesus in their home language? How did that happen? I think that is pretty easy to answer – it was a miracle brought about via the Holy Spirit. Maybe the better question is “why” it happened. Why would the very first thing that happens in this newly created church be for everyone to hear the good news about Jesus in their native tongue? Why would the Spirit of God be so sweeping in the format of the message? Why is it in every language? Why is it not just in the language of the Jews — Hebrew?

I think it is one of the first messages we have from God under this new covenant: everyone is welcome. Peter even quotes the prophet Joel in Acts 2:21 when he says, ‘AND IT SHALL BE THAT EVERYONE WHO CALLS ON THE NAME OF THE LORD WILL BE SAVED.’

In Acts 10:34 we come to understand that this even extends to the Gentiles! “Opening his mouth, Peter said: “I most certainly understand now that God is not one to show partiality, but in every nation the man who fears Him and does what is right is welcome to Him.”

So, what does that have to do with me today? Why does it matter that the gospel wasn’t just for the descendants of Abraham? And — I thought we were talking about children’s songs – right?

Well, there are two other verses of the “Jesus Loves the Little Children” song. I think they will tie it all together for us.

Second verse: Jesus died for all the children. All the children of the world. Red, brown, yellow, black and white – they are precious in His sight. Jesus died for all the children of the world.

Third verse: Jesus rose for all the children. All the children of the world. Red, brown, yellow, black and white – they are precious in His sight. Jesus rose for all the children of the world.

That is significant my friends. From the very beginning of God’s New Covenant with His people, He made it clear that He no longer had favorites. Not anymore. Now, everyone can be a follower of Jesus. Why? Because Jesus loves ALL the children of the world.