Jesus loves me, this I know...

"Jesus loves me, this I know, for the Bible tells me so."
Most Americans know this song, whether they profess to be a Christian or not. It's truth has been ingrained in us since early childhood, and that teaching remains strong to this day.
But lately I have begun to think that these lyrics are not entirely accurate.
Jesus loves me. Yes. This is true. But to believe it simply because the Bible tells me so...just doesn't seem right. It is not adequate. I do not know that Jesus loves me because of words on a page. I do not believe it because it is a red-lettered quote in my NIV. Words on a page cannot show love, cannot share love, cannot give love. They are simply words. They are true words, and I do not want to diminish the importance of the Bible and the truth it helps us understand.
But I do not know Jesus loves me because of the Bible. I learned that song before I could even read the Bible. Yet when I sang the song at age two, I already knew Jesus loves me. I knew this because the people in my life showed it to me. My parents, my grandparents, friends and church and our minister all lived out the love of Jesus. I saw his love in them, and the way they loved him back. That is where my source of knowledge comes from.
Jesus is all about relationships, not Bible study. (Yes, Bible study IS important, but relationships are more important.) We know this because he is Jesus, the incarnation, god who became man. If we were supposed to depend entirely on words in a book, he wouldn't have bothered with the incarnation. But he came to earth to live with us and teach us. He built a relationship with his disciples, he spent time with them while he taught them, and showed them how to live.
Handing out Bibles is good, preaching in the streets is not a bad thing, but most people won't listen, most people won't read. If they do, they still might not understand.
It is when Christians get involved in people's lives and show them love, demonstrate Jesus up close, that is how people get to know him, and learn about his love.
So continue to read the Bible, continue to preach and teach, but never forget to get involved with people. Go to them, meet them on their own terms and lead them into the light. Don't expect to stand up on the pedestal to religion and draw them to you. They won't come.
I know Jesus loves me because of everyone who showed me his love. And to each of you I owe a huge debt of gratitude. Keep it up. Share the faith. Live the love.