As we continue our dive into the book of John; let's focus on another powerful worship song that we've done in the past week(s) at South Fellowship.

 John the Disciple was known for being dearly loved by Jesus. In his first epistle, John declared simply, "We love because He first loved us." (1 John 4:19).
John knew the love of Jesus and personally witnessed the excruciating sacrifice of the cross that changed everything for humanity. In his gospel account, John tells his disciples, "As the Father has loved me, so have I loved you…." (John 15:9). John lays out the source of love and the direction from which it flows. It is because of this love that we can and should return all our love and all of who we are back to Jesus.

 The song, "Jesus We Love You," by Bethel Music was written in 2015 by singer songwriter Paul McClure. He shared, "'Jesus we love you' is simple but it's huge. To choose thankfulness, to choose to be happy with the season I was in – the process I was in and owning and embracing that – it's an adoration picture but also a surrender picture." His wife echoed a similar sentiment, "Thankfulness will bring us back to declaring His goodness."


And so, we reflect on the words of the song:

Old things have passed away
Your love has stayed the same
Your constant grace remains the cornerstone

 Things that we thought were dead
Are breathing in life again
You cause Your Son to shine on darkest nights

 For all that You've done, we will pour out our love
This will be our anthem song

JESUS WE LOVE YOU, OH, HOW WE LOVE YOU
YOU ARE THE ONE OUR, OUR HEARTS ADORE

The hopeless have found their hope
The orphans now have a home
All that was lost has found its place in You

 You lift our weary head
You make us strong instead
You took these rags and made us beautiful

Our affection, our devotion
Poured out on the feet of Jesus…


The last refrain brings images of the woman who pours expensive oils on the feet of Jesus, weeping and worshiping. (Luke 7:38). To love God with that kind of abandon, cost, and display can only come from the realization of His love. The Apostle Paul explains in Romans 5:8 that God's love for us is "demonstrated" in that "while we were still sinners, Christ died for us." It is the reminder of grace that propels us to sing "You took these rags and made us beautiful." Paul also shares with the church in Philippi that he considers "…everything a loss because of the surpassing worth of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord, for whose sake I have lost all things. I consider them garbage, that I may gain Christ." (Philippians 3:8).

 What I especially love about this song is that it is sung with a sense of corporate worship. We love Him. Our affection is poured out. He lifts our weary heads. The prophet Jeremiah tells the nation of Israel that …"[God's] love is everlasting and that [his] kindness to them is unfailing." (Jeremiah 31:3). Just like the ancient Israelites clung to His promises, this song allows us to acknowledge a shared experience within our church every time we sing it. Let's make it our anthem song and live our lives in such a way that His love helps us to love others and Him.

 Take a moment today to listen to "Jesus We Love You"

Jesus We Love You (Official Lyric Video) – Paul McClure | We Will Not Be Shaken


by Kris Thulson