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Commentary Index | Return to PrayerRequest.com | DownloadJabez Burns Sermons: 864. Son 5:16. Christ the Beloved, and Friend of His People
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Son_5:16. Christ the Beloved, and Friend of His People
"Yea, he is altogether lovely. This is my beloved, and this is my friend, O daughters of Jerusalem."—Son_5:16.
Unless we understand this book in its allegorical application to Christ and his Church, we can see no spiritual object or end attained by its holding a place in the inspired canon. But when thus understood, it is not only gorgeous in its figures, but rich in impassioned sentiment, and every way adapted to excite a holy, ardent love to the Saviour. In this light we shall consider the passage on. this occasion.
Observe,
I. What Christ is in himself.
II. What he is to his people.
III. The profession they make of their attachment to him.
I. What Christ is in himself.
"Altogether lovely." So sang the sweet singer of Israel in reference to him. "My heart is inditing a good matter: I speak of the things which I have made touching the king: my tongue is the pen of a ready writer. Thou art fairer than the children of men: grace is poured into thy lips; therefore God hath blessed thee forever."—Psa_45:1, Psa_45:2.
We see the appropriateness of this,
1. When applied to the spotlessness of his nature.
He was without moral infirmity—pure—holy—separate from sinners—the perfect reflection of the divine holiness. As such, not only his soul, but his body was without taint of sin or evil. No doubt his countenance was the most lovely and benignant ever beheld; so that body and soul displayed perfect purity. He was holy, even as God is holy; for he was the very "brightness of his glory, and the express image of his person."
The description of the text is true, 2. When applied to his unrivalled perfections.
He had all the faculties and powers of man in a transcendent degree. But he had also all the illustrious perfections of the Deity. All the Father's attributes were in him, both natural and moral;—eternity, almightiness, ubiquity, omniscience, immutability, infinite wisdom, boundless knowledge, unspotted purity, unchanging faithfulness, inflexible righteousness, unspotted truth, immeasurable goodness, boundless mercy, and tenderest pity. He was incarnate love—embodied compassion—grace living, speaking, acting, and suffering for the world's well-being and man's redemption. Such a combination of celestial and holy perfections, angels had never beheld before. For there was divine grandeur incorporated with human weakness—eternity linked to a newborn babe—immensity lodged in the contracted span of an earthly tabernacle. No marvel that the apostle John exclaims—"We beheld his glory, the glory as of the only-begotten of the Father, full of grace and truth."
Observe the appropriateness of the text,
3. When applied to his varied offices. (1.) He was the most exalted Prophet, in whom all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge dwelt; compared with all others,—the sun of the system of divine revelation.
(2.) The most sacred and exalted Priest. The priest of the human race, in whom the offices both of prophet and great high priest meet and are centred. The antitype of the whole sacerdotal order; for his priesthood is not only universal, but perpetual. His sacrifice of real and infinite value; his temple the holiest of all. The blessings he imparts involving pardon for all sin, entire holiness, and eternal life.
(3.) As the most magnificent Monarch. His kingdom is spiritual, righteous, benevolent, prosperous, and shall be universal and everlasting. No king so rich, so powerful, so gracious, so blessed as he. He is "King immortal, invisible, eternal," and on his vesture, and on his thigh, it is written, "King of kings, and Lord of lords."
See the truth of the text,
4. When applied to his spirit and temper. Love, meekness, tenderness, benignity, are the graces which preeminently distinguish Jesus. In youth it is said, "he grew in favor with God and man." How he displayed this loveliness in his general conduct, discourses, miracles! How many could have testified to the truth of the text! Even the unworthy woman that was so notorious a sinner, Zaccheus, the woman of Samaria, the dying thief—the officers sent to arrest him, with multitudes of others, have borne witness of the graciousness of his spirit, and the loveliness of his mien and temper towards them.
How striking the description,
5. When compared with the most renowned and excellent of men.
Take Abraham the faithful, Moses the meek, David the generous, or John the ardent and affectionate; he had all their excellences in a perfect degree, and none of their frailties. He was "altogether lovely;" under all circumstances—during his whole life—in all he ever was, or said, or did. He was so to God—to angels—and to all holy men.
I do not dwell on his titles, though they are so beautiful, varied, and interesting. All nature is drawn upon to set him forth. The heavens—for he is the morning star, and the sun of righteousness. The earth—for he is the rose of Sharon—the plant of renown—the pearl of great price. Yea, "he is altogether lovely."
Observe,
II. What Christ is to his people.
"Their beloved and friend." As such, he is,
1. The object of their ardent and supreme love.
Loved really, sincerely, and preeminently. He must have our superlative affection; he must be loved more than wealth, or friends, or life. He must have the throne of the heart, or he will not reign within us; he must be preferred to all others. But never forget, that our love to him is ever the result and effect of his love to us. "We love him because he first loved us."
Now this love to Jesus is a conscious emotion. "Whom not having seen we love." With humility we can say, "Thou knowest all things, thou knowest that we love thee."
2. He is their chief friend.
He avers himself their friend, and he calls them his friends. Mutual love unites them; mutual communion is maintained; and mutual delight is exhibited. His friendship contains every element of excellency and preciousness. He is their real friend—their constant friend—their sufficient and efficient friend—for all places, and all times. He is their unchanging and everlasting friend. No one like him—he is their unrivalled friend. How honorable—how blessed—how sweet the friendship of Christ! Happy they who can say—"he is my beloved and friend."
Now the leading thoughts concerning Christ's friendship we have only just hinted at. The outline is given, so that the subject may be contemplated, and enlarged on, and be the theme of renewed meditation, with the greatest possible profit to the soul. Only just remember that he is the friend of friends—the friend of the friendless—the friend of the unworthy—even, of sinners; but the especial and beloved friend of those who know him, and believe in him. Hence he says to them—"Greater love hath no man that this, that a man lay down his life for his friends. Ye are my friends if ye do whatsoever I command you. Henceforth I call you not servants; for the servant knoweth not what his lord doeth: but I have called you friends; for all things that I have heard of my Father I have made known unto you."—Joh_15:13-15.
Then consider,
III. The profession his people make of their attachment to him.
"This is my friend, O daughters of Jerusalem."
We observe here,
1. True love to Christ cannot be concealed.
What the heart intensely feels, the mouth will utter. The heart is the mainspring of man; all will follow its powerful emotions. The miser talks of his gold—the pleasure-taker of his banquets—the literary man of his books; so, the Christian of the Saviour. Hence the holy affection must be expressed; it must be spoken and avowed to the daughters of Jerusalem. Christian conversation is never so profitable as when Jesus is the theme, and when our attachment to him is the subject of pious and ardent exultation.
2. True love to Christ ought not to be concealed.
It would violate Christian duty—Christ has enjoined it. It would be especially ungrateful. Think of his publicly attested love to us. To profess Christ is honorable both to the intellect and heart. This profession should be made to the church; the church has a right to demand this from us, that they may recognize us, as Christ's disciples. Much better that we show our love to Christ, as the fitness for communion, than any mere attachment to creeds, and names, and ceremonies.
This profession ought to be made before the world. We are to confess him before men—before all ranks and classes of men. Always be ready to give a reason for the hope that is within us. Never to be ashamed of Christ and his words.
3. This profession should be exemplified in the life.
It should be seen that we love Christ. Our spirit, and temper, and conduct should testify this. We are to be his epistles, his friends, his disciples; and thus to be like-minded with Christ. Having his spirit, wearing his costume, doing his work, keeping his commandments, seeking his glory,—in one word, "living to Christ," and showing forth his grace in our temper and demeanor, and conduct in general. It is most honorable to religion, and most pleasing to the Saviour, when all our actions point to him, and say—"he is our beloved and friend."
APPLICATION.
And now we ask,
(1.) What think ye of Christ? Do you admire and esteem and love him? Or are you his avowed enemies? or are you indifferent to Christ? or are you only nominally connected with him? These are momentous questions! And we should be faithful in examining our own hearts, that we may know precisely how we stand in relation to Jesus, the great and lovely Saviour of the world.
We would appeal,
(2.) To those who despise or neglect Christ. What baseness! What folly! And how ruinous must be the result! Despising him, where will you go for pardon, for holiness, for eternal salvation? Ponder well the words of Holy Scripture on this subject. "How shall we escape if we neglect so great salvation?"—Heb_2:3. "What shall the end be of them that obey not the gospel of Christ?"—1Pe_4:17. And then remember that most terrible malediction,—"If any man love not the Lord Jesus Christ, let him be anathema maranatha."—1Co_16:22.
(3.) To those who desire to love Christ, we say, contemplate his person and work. Consider him as revealed in the gospel. Come to him as sinners, and give him the faith of your hearts. Trust in him for salvation. Do it now—entirely, solemnly, and forever. He asks your faith and your hearts, give both to him, and then the experience of the text will be yours.
(4.) To the Saviour's friends we add, show forth his praise in all you do. Aim at this, and labor to do this. Often cherish in your hearts, and utter with your lips, the sentiments of the text—"He is altogether lovely." And be not satisfied unless you can truly sing—
"Yea, thou art precious to my soul—
My transport and my trust;
Jewels to thee are gaudy toys,
And gold is sordid dust.
All my capacious powers can wish
In thee doth richly meet:
Nor to my eyes is light so dear,
Nor friendship half so sweet.
Thy grace shall dwell upon my heart,
And shed its fragrance there;
The noblest balm of all its wounds,
The cordial of its care.
I'll speak the honors of thy name
With my last laboring breath;
Then, speechless, clasp thee in mine arms,
The antidote of death"