Song of Solomon 3:1–4
“On my bed by night I sought him whom my soul loves; I sought him, but found him not. I will rise now and go about the city, in the streets and in the squares; I will seek him whom my soul loves. I sought him, but found him not. The watchmen found me as they went about in the city. ‘Have you seen him whom my soul loves?’ Scarcely had I passed them when I found him whom my soul loves. I held him, and would not let him go until I had brought him into my mother's house, and into the chamber of her who conceived me.”
Many have objected to the Song of Solomon, saying that the Lord is not mentioned in the book and that it is merely a poem about human romance. Yet this book is part of Holy Scripture. It is filled with poetic language, symbolism, and deep spiritual truths. In it we see a beautiful picture of the love between the Bridegroom, the Lord Jesus Christ, and His bride, the Church.
The true bride of Christ continually longs for her Bridegroom. Many people profess to be Christians, and if asked whether they love Jesus, they immediately answer, “Yes.” Yet sadly, many do not love Him from the depths of their soul. Scripture gives a solemn warning:
“If anyone does not love the Lord Jesus Christ, let him be accursed.” (1 Corinthians 16:22)
To understand this, we must understand the new birth. A Christian's life does not begin with an earthly birth alone but with a spiritual birth brought about by the Holy Spirit. Through this work of grace, believers become the temple of God, and the Holy Spirit continually bears witness to Christ (John 1:13; John 16:13).
Jesus said:
“Blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed.” (John 20:29)
Peter likewise wrote:
“Though you have not seen Him, you love Him. Though you do not now see Him, yet believing, you rejoice with joy inexpressible and full of glory.” (1 Peter 1:8)
The believer loves Christ, not because he has seen Him with physical eyes, but because the Holy Spirit has revealed His beauty and glory to the heart.
Some people seek Jesus merely because He can help them solve their problems. They remember Him only when trouble comes and quickly forget Him when life improves. Their attitude is, “It is good to have God because He can help me.” In such cases, Jesus becomes little more than a tool for personal convenience.
Others profess love for God because they fear hell and the lake of fire. Out of fear they force themselves to attend church, read the Bible, pray, and give thanks. Their service is driven by terror rather than affection.
Imagine a wife living in fear of a harsh husband. She serves him, not because she loves him, but because she is afraid. This is not true love. Genuine love cannot be produced by fear alone.
Some attempt to express love for Christ by bowing before an image, yet that image is merely the work of human hands. Others remember Christ only during church services and then forget Him throughout the week. Their devotion becomes a ritual rather than a living relationship.
Still others become fascinated with theological knowledge while neglecting the Person of Christ Himself. They love information about Jesus more than Jesus Himself.
But Jesus is not merely an image, a religious system, or a theological concept. He is alive. He is a real Person.
Because Christ is living and real, our love for Him should also be living and real—a burning, passionate, heartfelt love.
In Song of Solomon 3, the bride seeks the one whom her soul loves. Her heart is restless until she finds him. Once she finds him, she refuses to let him go.
This is a picture of true love for Christ.
We see this same love in Mary Magdalene.
After Jesus was crucified and buried, Mary went to the tomb while it was still dark. She stood outside weeping because she could not bear the thought of being separated from her Lord.
When the angels asked why she was weeping, she replied:
“They have taken away my Lord, and I do not know where they have laid Him.”
Her heart burned with love for Christ. Like the bride in Song of Solomon, she could not rest until she found Him.
Then Jesus Himself appeared and asked,
“Woman, why are you weeping? Whom are you seeking?”
At first she mistook Him for the gardener. But then Jesus simply spoke her name:
“Mary.”
Immediately she recognized His voice.
How personal that moment was! She turned toward Him and desired to cling to Him, just as the bride in Song of Solomon held her beloved and would not let him go.
This is soul-searching, passionate love for Christ.
Consider a small child separated from its mother and placed in the care of another woman. Though the child may be cared for, there remains a unique bond between the child and its true mother.
In the same way, believers are called to love Christ personally and deeply.
We need more than a picture of Christ.
More than
church attendance.
More than doctrine and theology.
We need Christ Himself.
He is present with His people wherever they go. We can speak with Him as we would speak with our closest friend. We can bring to Him our deepest sorrows, fears, and joys.
True Christianity is fellowship with a living Savior.
If asked, "Do you love Christ?" some may answer, "I think I do."
But imagine Peter saying to Jesus, "I think I love You."
What kind of love would that be?
Imagine a husband or wife saying, "Sometimes I love you."
Such love is uncertain and unreliable.
Judas had a form of affection for Christ, but it was mixed with selfish motives. His heart was never truly devoted to the Lord.
Therefore, make certain that your love for Christ is genuine. Let it be founded upon the solid Rock of Christ Himself.
No one can truly give first place to two masters.
Many profess to love Christ while loving the world even more. Their hearts are consumed with wealth, entertainment, sports, celebrities, politics, or earthly ambitions. Christ receives whatever time is left over.
Such love is lukewarm.
“Because you are lukewarm, and neither cold nor hot, I will spit you out of My mouth.” (Revelation 3:16)
When anything becomes more precious to us than Christ, we commit spiritual adultery.
“You have played the harlot with many lovers.” (Jeremiah 3:1)
“Friendship with the world is enmity with God.” (James 4:4)
There is an old story of a Persian husband and wife who attended a royal wedding. On the journey home, the husband remarked about the handsome bridegroom.
His wife replied:
“I have no eyes for the beauty of another man besides my husband.”
Likewise, the believer should say:
"I have no beauty greater than Christ."
Satan constantly places other attractions before us, but Christ is altogether lovely. Our eyes must remain fixed upon Him.
Do you love your family more than Christ?
Many quickly answer, "No," but the real test comes when we must choose between obedience to Christ and earthly relationships.
Consider the example of a faithful Christian father who faced martyrdom. His enemies placed his wife and twelve children along the road, hoping that the sight of them would cause him to deny Christ.
Instead, he embraced each child, kissed his wife, committed them to God's care, and continued to his execution with unwavering faith.
Like Abraham, who was willing to surrender Isaac, he loved Christ above all else.
This is the kind of devotion that honors God.
This is not ordinary affection.
It is a love that rises from the deepest part of the soul.
We may speak about Christ's love, preach about it, teach about it, and sing about it. Yet the question remains:
Do we truly love Him?
Faith trusts Christ.
But love delights in Christ.
This was the love of Mary Magdalene.
The woman
who poured costly perfume upon Jesus.
The repentant thief on the
cross.
The apostles who suffered imprisonment, stoning, and
death for His sake.
Do you know this love?
Christ is alive. Love Him as a living Person wherever you go.
The answer is simple:
Because He is infinitely lovely.
We are not speaking primarily of physical appearance but of His character, His holiness, His mercy, His compassion, His humility, and His perfect obedience.
Above all, we love Him because He first loved us.
“We love Him because He first loved us.” (1 John 4:19)
Though He was God, He became a servant.
He obeyed the law we broke.
He endured Gethsemane.
He wore the crown of thorns.
He was mocked, scourged, spat upon, and crucified.
He bore the wrath that our sins deserved.
He cried:
“My God, My God, why have You forsaken Me?”
He died for His people.
He rose again.
He ascended into heaven.
He intercedes for us even now.
And one day He will return for His bride.
This is the beauty and loveliness of Christ.
We were once sinful, miserable, and separated from God. Yet Christ came to rescue us from destruction and bring us into the Father's embrace.
True love for Christ should be visible in daily life.
Jesus said:
“If anyone loves Me, he will keep My word, and My Father will love him, and We will come to him and make Our home with him.” (John 14:23)
Let the world see that your Christianity is more than a label.
Love Christ in your daily work.
Speak with Him throughout the day.
Remember His presence.
Show your devotion both inwardly and outwardly.
Do not be ashamed of your love for Him.
Seek Him daily through the Scriptures. Hold fast to Him through every trial and every season of life.
Like the bride in Song of Solomon, may you be able to say:
“I found him whom my soul loves. I held him, and would not let him go.” (Song of Solomon 3:4)