Jesus our Beloved – Song of Solomon 5:16b

This is my beloved and this is my friend.

There is a mighty king, the King of kings, the Holy of holies, and His name is Jesus. This King is altogether lovely and worthy of all praise. The mountains and the trees break forth into shouts of joy before Him.[1] He is the all-powerful ruler of the universe to whom every knee will bow and every tongue will swear allegiance, and yet remarkably, this majestic, glorious King loves us.  He undergirds us with His everlasting arms when we enter into a covenant relationship with Him.[2]  He calls Himself our beloved and our friend when we seal our lives to His.

This King promises to enter our hearts and make our joy complete if we will receive Him as our Lord and Savior, accepting His instruction, keeping His commandments, abiding in His love.[3] He sees us as His bride, perfect, pure, beautiful, and unique.[4] He washes our stained, crimson garments, making them as white as fresh-fallen snow, arraying us in glory for our entrance into the holy city.[5] He purifies us by the blood He shed to reconcile us to His Father.[6]  He makes us His own, so we belong to Him, as He belongs to the Father,[7] and He assures us that no power in heaven or on earth can break the cords of His love for us.  He rejoices over us, His beloved, with gladness and with singing,[8] and He gives to us extraordinary blessings.  As His followers, we have the most marvelous companion, who being the Author of love Himself unconditionally loves us.

Spend time with Jesus; close your eyes and envision yourself strolling across green meadows and beside quiet streams with Him. Smell the sweet fragrance of His presence, and listen to His gentle words of love and encouragement. Walk hand in hand with your Beloved, and delight in knowing that He loves you immensely, provides for you perfectly, and protects you absolutely.  Hold onto Him and let nothing diminish the joy and security that comes from knowing that Jesus is your Beloved and Friend.[9]

A babe was born one winter morn

Centuries ago

A bright star shone to make it known

Joy and peace would flow

From the child, helpless and mild

Who slept upon the straw

Though He could claim no earthly fame

Wise men bowed in awe

As God’s love flowed, the heavens showed

How rich the gifts He’d bring

And when He grew, devout men knew

That He would be their King

And weary souls, released controls

Of burdensome affairs

They laid them down, placing a crown

On He who bore their cares

Arrayed in splendor, yet so tender

He embraced those who appealed

Upon His name, and He proclaimed

“To you My heart I’ve sealed

“Walk with Me; I’ll set you free

To the mountaintop, ascend

By My side, as My bride

My Beloved and My Friend”

[1] Isaiah 44:23

[2] Deuteronomy 33:27

[3] John 15:9-11

[4] Song of Solomon 6:9-10

[5] Isaiah 1:18

[6] Titus 2:14

[7] 1 Corinthians 3:23

[8] Zephaniah 3:17

[9] Romans 1:7 John 15:15