"K" Love? "J" Love!

"K", the young man I referred to in a previous blog, pulled off a grand surprise when he proposed to his girlfriend on New Year's morning. It was a joyous moment for him, her, and for the several hundred of us who had stayed through the entire New Year's Eve service.

Beyond the joy, the proposal was a prophetic sign for us as a church. There is Someone who has proposed a life of love to us: the God-Man, Jesus. From Time's beginning He has been meeting and speaking to His people: He shares His love with us privately, and He demonstrates His love to us publicly.

And, amidst the outpouring of this love, He asks a question:
"Will you marry Me?"

In this past Sunday's sermon, Pastor Martha made the connection between the Sermon on the Mount and the Song of Solomon. Jesus, while encouraging His listeners not to worry about clothing, points back to the famed, peace-loving king: Not even Solomon in all his glory was arrayed like one of these flowers (see Matthew 6:28-29).

Solomon, the king whose wisdom was deeply respected by the kings and queens of the earth; Solomon, the man who kept a harem of women he loved; Solomon, the builder who made sure that God's temple was the grandest house on the planet. We read and marvel at his accomplishments over his forty-year reign.

But, we have a greater King to adore!

• Jesus's reign is eternal: in fact, He is eternal (John 8:58).
• Jesus's temple is the grandest house of all universes: in fact, He is the temple (Revelation 21:22).
• Jesus's love extends backwards and forwards through Time: in fact, He is Love (First John 4:8).
• Jesus's wisdom has been in existence since before the dawn of creation: in fact, He is wisdom (Isaiah 11:1-5).

And what has Jesus said to us in our pastor's prophetic reference to Solomon? You see Solomon looking so nice? I can make a simple flower look more splendid than he. You see Solomon as a man of love and loving words? I love you so much more. "Come away with Me"; "I have loved you with an everlasting love".

The Song of Solomon (Song of Songs) is filled with references of seeking love, losing love, and making love. It points to our own nature: we love God, or we say we love Him, but then we have this tendency to wander off. Or, we get nervous when we can't "feel" His presence. The hymnwriter has caught the solution: When darkness seems to veil His face, I rest on His unchanging grace; In every high and stormy gale, my anchor holds within the veil. On Christ the Solid Rock I stand! All other ground is sinking sand. The love of Jesus is eternal. He says, "I am with you always" (see Matthew 28:20), and He keeps His word.

Jesus has presented us a diamond engagement ring, and He has popped the question.
Will you say yes to Him?