Jesus is the Son of God, the Savior, and He calls us to Himself, entreating believers into fellowship. It amazes us that grace would bid the filthy, but His work on the cross makes our fellowship with Him a reality. He yearns for it and calls us to action. He says, “Rise up, my love, my fair one, and come away. For lo, the winter is past, the rain is over and gone. The flowers appear on the earth; the time of singing has come, and the voice of the turtledove is heard in our land. The fig tree puts forth her green figs, and the vines with the tender grapes give a good smell. Rise up, my love, my fair one, and come away. O my dove, in the clefts of the rock, in the secret places of the cliff, let me see your face, let me hear your voice; for your voice is sweet, and your face is lovely (vs10-14).” We have sinned against God and built a mountain between us, and He skips upon the mountains to meet us – “The voice of my beloved! Behold, he comes leaping upon the mountains, skipping upon the hills. My beloved is like a gazelle or a young stag. Behold, he stands behind our wall; he is looking through the windows, gazing through the lattice” (vs8-9).

He draws us unto Himself because we NEED it. We are prone to wonder and in the flesh before we know it. Our joyful devotion is replaced with selfishness and indifference in a moment. The flesh (the hell worthy rebel in us) and the spirit (our blood bought new nature) are in opposition, and the Lord is often seen as a condemner. This “unworthiness” is what Christ allures us away from. He reminds us of His work, and He delivers us from our failures. From start to end, it is the same gospel: sin is removed and holiness is given. He convinces you that He loves you freely, made you holy, and He is here to save, embrace, and give rest to His people. This joy, this love, this sweetness of Christ is what calls us to renounce all unbelief and give ourselves to Him in devotion. We say, “Like an apple tree among the trees of the woods, so is my beloved among the sons. I sat down in his shade with great delight, and his fruit was sweet to my taste. He brought me to the banqueting house, and his banner over me was love. Sustain me with cakes of raisins, refresh me with apples, for I am love sick. His left hand is under my head, and his right hand embraces me. I chare you, O daughters of Jerusalem, by the gazelles or by the does of the field, do not stir up nor awaken love until it pleases” (vs3-7).