Most people in our society use the words love and passion in connection with the relationship between a man and a woman. But how would they be understood in connection with a relationship with God? What does passion mean within God's love for people?
The book Song of Songs paints not only a beautiful picture of the tender devotion God desires between a man and a woman. It also illustrates how God envisions the relationship and love between Jesus and people.
King Solomon understood that this love is unconditional and unearned, and that God pours it out over people again and again. This kind of love also stands as a picture of the love between Jesus and his church. For Jesus gives it unconditionally to those he already knows can give nothing back to him in return. The only thing he desires is that it be received, that the hunger and thirst for it grow stronger, and that his love shine through people into the world.
Leaders who walk with God understand that this relationship between Jesus and his church is worth far more than just a religious historical fact. It is a unique relationship marked by love, passion, and tenderness, in which the church, the bride, remains aware that she has not earned this love and yet is allowed to bask in it.
Song of Solomon 1
1 The song of songs, which is Solomon's.
2 Let him kiss me with the kisses of his mouth: for thy love is better than wine.
3 Because of the savour of thy good ointments thy name is as ointment poured forth, therefore do the virgins love thee.
4 Draw me, we will run after thee: the king hath brought me into his chambers: we will be glad and rejoice in thee, we will remember thy love more than wine: the upright love thee.
5 I am black, but comely, O ye daughters of Jerusalem, as the tents of Kedar, as the curtains of Solomon.
6 Look not upon me, because I am black, because the sun hath looked upon me: my mother's children were angry with me; they made me the keeper of the vineyards; but mine own vineyard have I not kept.
7 Tell me, O thou whom my soul loveth, where thou feedest, where thou makest thy flock to rest at noon: for why should I be as one that turneth aside by the flocks of thy companions?
8 If thou know not, O thou fairest among women, go thy way forth by the footsteps of the flock, and feed thy kids beside the shepherds' tents.
9 I have compared thee, O my love, to a company of horses in Pharaoh's chariots.
10 Thy cheeks are comely with rows of jewels, thy neck with chains of gold.
11 We will make thee borders of gold with studs of silver.
12 While the king sitteth at his table, my spikenard sendeth forth the smell thereof.
13 A bundle of myrrh is my wellbeloved unto me; he shall lie all night betwixt my breasts.
14 My beloved is unto me as a cluster of camphire in the vineyards of Engedi.
15 Behold, thou art fair, my love; behold, thou art fair; thou hast doves' eyes.
16 Behold, thou art fair, my beloved, yea, pleasant: also our bed is green.
17 The beams of our house are cedar, and our rafters of fir.