His Banner is Love

It has been the consensus of the Church, from the early fathers through the Reformation, to read the Song of Solomon not merely as some ancient Hebrew love poem, but as a revelation of the communion of love between Christ and His Bride, the Church. It is a book intended to be read allegorically or typologically. And given Christ’s teaching regarding Himself as the Bridegroom and the Apostle Paul’s understanding that marriage points to the mystery of Christ and the Church – this reading holds weight (Mt. 9, Eph. 5).

One of the most beautiful passages in the book is when the Bride delights in her Beloved saying, “He brought me to the banqueting house, and His banner over me was love” (Songs 2:4).

Have you ever stopped and considered why you are here? Why you are in this room? With this family or with these friends? At this church or in any church at all? Was it simply your own planning? Your own will or wisdom? No… it was Christ. He has led you into His banqueting house, his wine house, by the hand and you are seated here by His invitation alone.

Now note that He didn’t slip you through the back door, as a last minute guest. You came in with fanfare, His majestic banner waving over you, and inscribed upon it is one word for all the world to see. It reads, “Love.” If you are in Christ, there is one single banner that flies over the entirety of your life, and it is a banner declaring God’s love for you. It doesn’t list your sin or your trials. It doesn’t declare your accomplishments, in fact, it has nothing to do with what you have done whatsoever. It’s a declaration of Christ’s unfailing love and what He has done for His people. 

That is why you are here. You are a member of Christ’s Bride, and each week He calls you into His banqueting house, to partake of His wine. 

So come, and welcome, to Jesus Christ.