Can you name the greatest mass murderer of the 20th century? No, it wasn’t Hitler or Stalin. It was Mao Zedong (see picture), also known as Mao Tse-tung (1893 – 1976). According to the authoritative “Black Book of Communism,” an estimated 65 million Chinese died as a result of Mao’s repeated, merciless attempts to create a new “socialist” China. For Mao, the No. 1 enemy was the intellectual. He buried 46,000 intellectuals alive.
Mao Zedong tried to destroy the Church in China. In 1972, however, a message was leaked that simply said: “The ‘this I know’ people are well”. The Communist authorities did not understand the message. But Christians worldwide immediately knew that it was referring to the words of the children’s song: “Jesus loves me, this I know, for the Bible tells me so.” To this day it is a well-loved song.
Howard Storm had a near-death experience. He was an atheist and realised that he was lost. Then he remembered the song: “Jesus loves me, this I know”. He had learned that in Sunday school. He called out ‘Jesus, please save me!’ And Jesus was there. He accepted Jesus as his Saviour and testifies to it, till today.
“Jesus Loves Me” is a Christian hymn written by Anna Bartlett Warner (1827–1915). The lyrics first appeared as a poem spoken to comfort a dying child. The music was added in 1862.
John writes of Jesus: He had always loved those in the world who were his own, and he loved them to the very end (John 13: 1). Jesus said, “I love you just as the Father loves me; remain in my love” (John 15: 9).
It is wonderful to know that the Creator of the universe loves us. He loves us so much that He wants a loving relationship with us, as in a loving family. He teaches us to pray: Our Father who art in heaven (Matt.6:9). Jesus’ Father is also our Father: “But now I tell you: love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, so that you may become the children of your Father in heaven” (Matt. 5:44-45). We are Jesus’ brothers and sisters “Whoever does what my Father in heaven wants is my brother, my sister, and my mother” (Matt.12: 50).
Jesus loves us so much that He took our place and paid for our sins. Shortly before He was crucified, He gave us a new commandment. He said: “And now I give you a new commandment: love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another” (Joh. 13:34). This is the love He is now asking of us for one another.
Our Father, thank You for loving us very much. Let Your love urge us to love one another. Amen.
Gert Berning
