Jesus Loves Me This I Know

This morning was probably one of the best all-seminary chapel services we've had since I've been here. Doug Nason, our wonderful professor of preaching was speaking to kick off our year, and he was given the job of beginning us thinking about our theme for the year: Micah 6:8. That's right, the entire year will be spent talking about how to "do justice, love mercy, and walk humbly with our God." I've always been impressed with Fuller's chapel team and with how they incorporate so many different traditions of worship into their services, and I am so excited to see where they will go this year with our theme. My favorite moment this morning though, wasn't when Doug was speaking (although he was amazing). He had just told the well-known story of Karl Barth visiting Princeton's 150 year anniversary celebration back in the 60s (or maybe 70s, I can't remember). During a press conference someone asked him "Dr. Barth, you have written volumes and volumes on systematic theology and dogmatics and philosophy, can you summarize the essence of your beliefs and work in one sentence?" Barth got a twinkle in his eye and replied very seriously "Jesus loves me, this I know, for the Bible tells me so." That, my friends, is the essence of our faith. Doug Nason was reminding us that in the midst of our academic thinking and theologizing we need to not forget the most simple lesson we know, that we carry in our hearts. We closed the service with the band returning to lead us in singing "Jesus Loves Me." All of us. 200 seminary students, esteemed professors, well known theologians, all joining together completely seriously to sing the most basic truth we all know. As this year continues, may all of us wake up singing this tune each morning. May we know that it is only because He loves us that we are even here in the first place.