Homily on Christ and the Church under the Allegory of a Loving Marriage

Outline

I. Finding Jesus 1:7-8

The true husband is about the work of His master. When the church wants to come closer to Jesus
and asks ‘where is he?’ the answer comes back, ‘if you do not know, then go find the lambs that
need to be fed, and feed them.’ That is how we find Jesus, that is how we become a help that is
meet for Him. In the Christian family, as modeled by Jesus, the loved wife draws closest to her
husband when helping him with his work of feeding souls.

II. Enjoying Jesus 2:2-4

There is strength in our Savior that we do not well appreciate. He is a shade tree where we may
rest. The burdens on his branches do not weigh on our shoulders. The husband should not bring his
burdens home, but should bring his strength there. There is delight at home, like the pleasant
shade, for the family and the Christian.

III. Loosing Jesus at Night 3:1-2

When we are closest to Jesus we may rest in his love. But when he is moving, we may loose him
by sleep. When we do not watch and pray, His work may take Him away. Our drowsiness may rob
us of his presence.

IV. Receiving Jesus at Night 5:2-4

Jesus is not content to be away from us. Though we have locked him out in our sleepiness, he
knocks. He stands at the door. If we were awake, we might hear his voice and open the door.
When he is knocking, we must not delay to admit him. He may be gone, grieved at our lack of
response. In the home we must listen also for the knockings of a partner wishing to be closer,
wishing to be in the circle of our activity. We must hear and quickly respond to the one becoming
discouraged with our lack of attention. In the allegory, the man represents Christ and can do no
wrong. In marriage, the husband represents Christ still, but he may very well do wrong. Then let
him be quick to hear, for in marriage it is often the wife that is knocking.

V. Beauty in the Eye of the Beholder 5:9-16, etc.

While many daughters have done well, Jesus in the allegory does not allow their virtuous to
compare favorably to those of his only beloved. And neither does she, when in right relation, set
her affections on any other attraction, or attracter. While others may marvel that she sees so much
in him, to her He is the one altogether lovely, the chiefest among ten thousand. She chooses to
think and talk this way, and this thinking and talking creates yet more affection.

VI. The Watchmen 3:3-4; 5:7

In the parable, these are appealed to for help. ‘Where has he gone?’ she asks. But she can not
depend on men for help in finding Jesus. She finds him, rather, by continuing her search. At one
point night watchmen notice her alone, a fault indeed. But rather than pointing her to her Beloved,
they wound her. We might learn from them to be more help to those that are lost. But in marriage
the lesson is to not let anything or anyone stop you from finding again a lost intimacy.

VII. Jesus Praises His Virtuous Woman 7:1-10

 Yes, He does. She might, with more propriety, praise Him. But nonetheless he sings her virtues,
describes in the most beautiful terms her gifts. This is the right of the husband, and if he would do
his duty to keep his wife encouraged and cheery, he should perform it regularly. Such praise is
comely. It speaks of a bond that the seductress need not think of breaking. It speaks of a home
where kindness rules the tongue.

VIII. The Unrecognized Privilege of Public Affection 8:1

The Shulamite wishes that her Beloved might be her brother, for then she might without shame
kiss him on the street and shower on him public affection. If she had only listened…twice already
her Beloved had called her “my sister, my spouse” for both relations reflect Christ’s connection to
us. Are we ashamed to show publicly our love for Jesus, afraid of being despised? Jesus bids us
worry not.