The tender love of Jesus
by Pastor Matthew Bishop
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‘Arise, come, my darling; my beautiful one, come with me’ (Song of Solomon 2:13).
I have a pastor friend who likes to get people’s attention, especially young adults, by saying words to the effect of, ‘Let me tell you about the sexiest book of the Bible’.
Well, I guess that got your attention! Indeed, if you are reading your LCA devotion first thing Monday morning, you might be wondering if this isn’t too raunchy? Well, apart from God knowing more about companionship, marriage, love, and sexual expression than we ever will, through the millennia, Song of Solomon has also been used by people searching out a deeper spirituality with God. That’s because Song of Solomon describes to us the fullness of God’s provision for us – body, soul, and mind. Its vivid description of God’s bounty is something God invites us to savour intimately.
Today’s text speaks of winter being replaced by the glorious singing of the spring day, with flowers appearing and doves cooing. And so, the lover says to his beloved (verse 14):
My dove in the clefts of the rock,
in the hiding places on the mountainside,
show me your face,
let me hear your voice;
for your voice is sweet,
and your face is lovely.
Not everyone feels comfortable with such words ascribed to how Jesus feels about us. To be sure, it’s as a brother or a sister (Romans 8:17) and in the purest of forms that Jesus sees us (1 Timothy 5:1b–2). Yet, he loves us tenderly. He wants us always to know that. In him, ‘truly our face is lovely’, whether you believe it or not!
Lord Jesus, you make us lovely. That’s because we have your loveliness handed over to us in the ugliness of Calvary’s cross. As we read Song of Solomon, help us to appreciate anew just how much you adore us and how much you wish us to know you ever closer. In your beautiful name, we pray. Amen.
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