As we’ve already discussed on a previous episode, this book can be seen as an allegory about the relationship between Jesus as the bridegroom and the church as the bride. Obviously, discussing all the imagery is far beyond the scope of this podcast, but I do suggest that you make it a point to get a good commentary and do your own study. Well worth your time.

I would like to take a couple minutes to focus on chapter 7 verse 10, where the bride (or beloved as she is referred to in the translation we read from today) exclaims, “I am my beloved’s, and he desires me!”

She says this after he has told her the many ways that he finds her beautiful. It sort of reminds me of when Sally Field won the Oscar for Best Actress in 1985. Yes, it’s true. Despite our many flaws, Jesus finds us (the church) beautiful and worthy of His love. Romans 5:8 says “…God demonstrates his own love for us, in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us.”

I can’t imagine why, to be honest. What could He possibly find in us that would cause Him to give of Himself so completely? Why would such a holy and perfect God love me (and you) so much that He would give up the glories of Heaven for even an instant, to live amongst us on this tiny, dirty, sin-filled and rebellious speck in the vastness of the universe to ultimately be tortured and nailed to a cross like a common criminal? Why would he choose to take on my sins and yours? Why would he allow Himself to be utterly separated from God the Father because of me?

The answer is truly beyond my understanding. His Word tells me, and I believe what the word says, that the only reason is because He loves me, and you. But why does He love us? 1 John 4:8 says simply “…because God is love.” Let that sink in. God. Is. Love. God is love. God is. Love. Not God *has* love, but God is love. It is His essence. It is who He is. God *is* love. And He loves you. And He loves me.

“I am my beloved’s, and he desires me!”

I don’t know about you, but my response to that kind of love is to reciprocate, to return that love as much as I can in my puny, imperfect, human way. But it thrills me to no end that He sees me as worthy of His attention. And above that, that He is working in me to refine me, to purify me, so that on that day when I see Him face-to-face, I will be the bride He desires.