"His Desire Is for Me" — The Personal, Pursuing Love of Christ

"I am my beloved’s, and his desire is for me." (Song 7:10)

King Solomon’s life tells the story of how a wise man became a very foolish one. The love in the Song of Songs, so rich with exclusive affection, eventually devolved into 700 wives and 300 concubines. But the words of his Song, authored by a greater hand and heart, call us to survey and savor God’s great love for us in Jesus. And not just His love for us in general, but His love for each one of us in particular.

Though the gospel must not be privatized, it must definitely be personalized. None of us is the point, yet we all matter. And though every text in God’s word has an original setting and meaning, no text is fully understood until the blossom of the passage finds its bouquet in Jesus — including the Song of Songs.

Not Special — but His

To be able to affirm these words, “I am my beloved’s,” is to participate in the heights of christology, the wonder of biblical theology, and the riches of the gospel. The one truly deserving of the title “beloved” is Jesus Himself. He is the Son of our Father’s delight (Matthew 3:17) — the one to whom all Scripture points (Luke 24:44), and of whom the Spirit is constantly making much (John 16:14).

To see Jesus revealed in the Bible as Creator, Sustainer, and Redeemer of all things; the Lion of Judah; the Lamb of God; and the Lamp of the New Jerusalem is to fall down in reverent awe. It is to join legions of angels, and all of creation, in proclaiming Jesus’s eternal glory and ineffable majesty (Revelation 4-5). Jesus is the radiance of God’s glory — the exact representation of who He is (Hebrews 1:3). With God the Holy Spirit, Jesus enjoyed the full measure and fellowship of God’s glory before the world began (John 17:5).

But it’s even grander to be able to say, “I am my beloved’s.” I, as in me — not just the spiritual giants who seem much worthier of such an honor and privilege. Am, as in right now — not will be, when I am good enough, holy enough, or glorified in the future. Right now I belong to Jesus as much as I ever will. My beloved’s, not simply our beloved, as in the whole body of Christ. Wonder of wonders — Jesus is my beloved. “The Son of God . . . loved me and gave himself for me” (Galatians 2:20). This doesn’t make me special; it makes me his. Hallelujah!

S.Sm.