Lessons from Children’s Songs – Part 2
“Jesus Loves The Little Children” is another song which teaches some truths that many need to learn. It was written by C. Herbert Woolston and put to music by George F. Root in 1864 to an American Civil War tune, “Tramp, Tramp, Tramp.” We often just sing the refrain of this song which is as follows.
Jesus loves the little children, / All the children of the world. / Red and yellow, black and white, / All are precious in His sight, / Jesus loves the little children of the world.
An alternate refrain we also sing is:
Jesus died for all the children, / All the children of the world. / Red and yellow, black and white, / All are precious in His sight, / Jesus died for all the children of the world.
In the context of the American Civil War, the lyrics of this song emphasized to children the value of all people regardless their skin color. The Bible never discusses skin color as relevant to one’s relationship with God. Instead, the Bible makes it clear that it is one’s relationship with Christ that is important because in Christ, all are one (Galatians 3:26-29). Jesus loves everyone, whatever their race or country of origin. It is sacrilege for us to say otherwise. “Then Peter opened his mouth, and said, Of a truth I perceive that God is no respecter of persons: But in every nation he that feareth him, and worketh righteousness, is accepted with him” (Acts 10:34, 35). One’s country of origin plays no part in how God looks at us. He looks at everyone the same—in need of the gospel. When we make false distinctions based upon race, we spit in the face of God’s plan and dishonor Him. Let it never be said of the child of God that he is a racist.
God bless you and I love you,
Kevin Cauley