Word for the day by Christian Education Forum
BRIDE
OF CHRIST
Dr. N. P. John
Orlando MTC, FL
9.You have ravished my heart,
my sister, my bride, you have ravished my heart with
a glance of your eyes, with one jewel of your necklace.
Solomon was not only a king with wisdom and knowledge but also an enthusiastic, blessed, and prolific writer who “spoke 3000 proverbs and 1005 songs.” (1 Ki. 4:32) The wisdom books he authored include Proverbs, Ecclesiastes and Song of Songs. While the first two books proclaim the futility of life without God the last one does not even mention the name of God in it. Solomon wrote this book in his youth bringing out the depth of the divine gift of love experienced in the man-woman relationship. The book has been interpreted metaphorically and allegorically. It is an epithelium of his nuptial thoughts about the love and emotion between a bridegroom and a bride. The Old Testament people see this book as a picture of Jehovah's immense love towards His people – the Israel. In the New Testament context we may see this as an allegory that portrays Christ, the shepherd, as the bridegroom and the Church, the redeemed, as the bride (Mat. 25:1, 2 Cor. 11:2).
In the passage for today's meditation, the author expresses his love and attraction without any hesitation through his words: “You captured my heart … You hold it hostage with one glance of your eyes,” (v.9) His earlier statement: “You are all fair, my love, And there is no spot in you” (v.7 ) supports the notion that the bride is beautiful and pure without any blemish of this world. When Jesus sees a believer, he or she should be glowing with purity and love from the heart so as to capture His heart. He is looking for a pure heart. Our purity comes through our faith in Jesus Christ not just by our own efforts. “For by Grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God, not of works, lest anyone should boast.” (Eph. 2:8, 9) Christian journey is difficult in this corrupted world. We are able to lead a victorious life only by renewing the spirit of the mind at every moment. “Walk in the Spirit and you shall not fulfill the lust of the flesh.” (Gal. 5:16) Since there is a marriage covenant between Christ and His Church, the believers, it is the responsibility and obligation of each believer to be pure, righteous, and obedient to Him and to the Word of God so as to meet the betrothed spouse, Jesus Christ. Our possessions, professions, positions, and temptations of this world may dissuade us from keeping the covenant but we should be vigilant and covered with the blood of Jesus to resist those stumbling blocks. “You have ravished my heart with one look of your eyes.” (v. 9).Eyes are very powerful. As in the Garden of Eden, many times sin starts its motion with the eyes. One glance of the eyes can sparkle the power to trap ones heart. Jesus is pleased with those who look at him earnestly as their Savior and strengthen the intimacy with Him through the eyes of faith. “With one link of your necklace” signifies the obedience and humility that link our soul with Jesus. Finally, it is our righteousness and sanctification through Jesus Christ, that is the key in our Christian journey to be a bride of Christ.
Solomon was not only a king with wisdom and knowledge but also an enthusiastic, blessed, and prolific writer who “spoke 3000 proverbs and 1005 songs.” (1 Ki. 4:32) The wisdom books he authored include Proverbs, Ecclesiastes and Song of Songs. While the first two books proclaim the futility of life without God the last one does not even mention the name of God in it. Solomon wrote this book in his youth bringing out the depth of the divine gift of love experienced in the man-woman relationship. The book has been interpreted metaphorically and allegorically. It is an epithelium of his nuptial thoughts about the love and emotion between a bridegroom and a bride. The Old Testament people see this book as a picture of Jehovah's immense love towards His people – the Israel. In the New Testament context we may see this as an allegory that portrays Christ, the shepherd, as the bridegroom and the Church, the redeemed, as the bride (Mat. 25:1, 2 Cor. 11:2).
In the passage for today's meditation, the author expresses his love and attraction without any hesitation through his words: “You captured my heart … You hold it hostage with one glance of your eyes,” (v.9) His earlier statement: “You are all fair, my love, And there is no spot in you” (v.7 ) supports the notion that the bride is beautiful and pure without any blemish of this world. When Jesus sees a believer, he or she should be glowing with purity and love from the heart so as to capture His heart. He is looking for a pure heart. Our purity comes through our faith in Jesus Christ not just by our own efforts. “For by Grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God, not of works, lest anyone should boast.” (Eph. 2:8, 9) Christian journey is difficult in this corrupted world. We are able to lead a victorious life only by renewing the spirit of the mind at every moment. “Walk in the Spirit and you shall not fulfill the lust of the flesh.” (Gal. 5:16) Since there is a marriage covenant between Christ and His Church, the believers, it is the responsibility and obligation of each believer to be pure, righteous, and obedient to Him and to the Word of God so as to meet the betrothed spouse, Jesus Christ. Our possessions, professions, positions, and temptations of this world may dissuade us from keeping the covenant but we should be vigilant and covered with the blood of Jesus to resist those stumbling blocks. “You have ravished my heart with one look of your eyes.” (v. 9).Eyes are very powerful. As in the Garden of Eden, many times sin starts its motion with the eyes. One glance of the eyes can sparkle the power to trap ones heart. Jesus is pleased with those who look at him earnestly as their Savior and strengthen the intimacy with Him through the eyes of faith. “With one link of your necklace” signifies the obedience and humility that link our soul with Jesus. Finally, it is our righteousness and sanctification through Jesus Christ, that is the key in our Christian journey to be a bride of Christ.
PRAYER
Our Gracious Lord, Your
love is deeper than the oceans and higher than the mountains. Help me to
continue my journey without any blemish to join you. Cover me with your Grace
every moment of my life.
THOUGHT FOR THE DAY:
Pray for His grace to
lead a righteous life without blemish to be His bride.