Song of Songs 8:6-7. 6Set me as a seal upon your heart, as a seal upon your arm for love is strong as death, jealousy is fierce as the grave. Its flashes are flashes of fire, the very flame of the Lord. 7Many waters cannot quench love, neither can floods drown it. If a man offered for love all the wealth of his house, he would be utterly despised.
Most of us probably skip the Song of Songs because ancient erotic love poetry can feel a bit awkward. But as we said in yesterday’s reading, this poem can and should be read on two levels. Yes, it is ancient erotic love poetry, but it is also the story of our salvation. The song that God is singing over us. The song that we can sing back to God.
When the young bride asks her new husband to set me as a seal upon your heart and upon his arm, she is asking her husband to love her forever. To stay committed to her. The ancient seal (usually a ring or bracelet) marked not only possession but also a deep commitment. Like our wedding rings today, it marked a covenant.
Can you hear yourself saying these same words to Jesus? Jesus set me as a seal upon your heart. Be dedicated to me. Devote your life and love to me today.
But maybe you feel like this is too bold a thing to ask. Jesus, love me. Yes, me, insignificant me. Love me personally, individually, with everything you’ve got. All your power and all your grace. Jesus, I need you to desire me. Is this just way too presumptuous? Selfish even? Let me assure you it is not. It would be wrong of you not to ask for and expect Christ’s full loving commitment to you. It would be wrong not to require his covenant faithfulness. Whatever a bride might expect from her husband, expect that from Christ, and more.
Christian, please understand that Jesus is the one person in your life that you should place expectations upon. His is the one heart that can carry the weight of all our desires. His infinite supply of love can bear our finite demand. The fact is, he’s already constantly loving you as much as he ever could and will. He’s already loving you beyond anything you could hope or imagine. So ask away. Ask Jesus to love you as if you are the only one asking.
But how do I know that his love for me is this dedicated? This strong and fierce? How can I be sure?
Because Christ’s love for you was stronger than death, and his jealousy (passion) for you was fiercer than the grave. Jesus fought the great cosmic battle for you. He ran into the flood waters of Sheol (the grave) and stared death in the face, and then conquered it with the fire of Yahweh’s invincible love. His unconditional, unearned, unpurchased love.
Song of Songs 8:7. If a man offered for love all the wealth of his house, he would be utterly despised.
Purchased love is no love at all. But love that purchases? Now that is a love that can conquer even death. And that is the love of God for us. Christ, in love, purchased us, paying the ransom that death held over our heads. Christian, you will never have to purchase God’s love. You can live freely in and from the unconditional love of God sealed in your heart by his indwelling life – the Spirit of Christ. And it is when you have freely received God’s love that we can then freely love others. Not from purchased love, but from to live is Christ.
You: Do you expect Jesus to love you today? Why or why not?
You in Christ: How does knowing that you are in Christ allow you to boldly demand Jesus’ love for you?
Christ in you: The strongest power in the universe, God’s love, is in you. How will you use this power today?
To Live is Christ 