The Rose

"I am a rose of sharon."
                -Song of Solomon 2:1a

Roses are beautiful; they're one of the most common symbols of affection in our culture, and it's not difficult to see why. This image, given early on in one of the Bible's most famous love letters, is an incredible picture of God's love for His church.

Roses have a unique shape. While the petals of some flowers open fully to expose their centers, rose petals create a form around the center. You can't actually see the top of the stem, without removing the petals. It's as though they have a hidden person inside. Something the outside world can't touch. Something beautiful within, that only their Maker knows. The concept is reflected in Revelation 19:

"11 I saw heaven standing open and there before me was a white horse, whose rider is called Faithful and True. With justice he judges and wages war. 12 His eyes are like blazing fire, and on his head are many crowns. 

He has a name written on him that no one knows but he himself."

-Revelation 19:11-12

Eric Ludy, in his book Wrestling Prayer, points out the incredible intimacy that this reflects. He writes:

"His Father has given Him a name that is so intimate, so beautiful, so precious that we as men are not yet able to know it. 

We know that His name is the Word of God. We know that He is called Faithful and True. And even later in this scriptural sequence, we also know that on His thigh is inscribed the name 

King of Kings and Lord of Lords.

However, there is a name that we don't yet know...

It is the name given Him in the secret place of fellowship with His Father." 

The love and communion between the Father and the Son is beyond what we can wrap our minds around. But the most unbelievable part, is what Jesus Himself says in a letter to the churches:

"17 Whoever has ears, let them hear what the Spirit says to the churches. To the one who is victorious, I will give some of the hidden manna. I will also give that person a white stone with a new name written on it, known only to the one who receives it."

-Revelation 2:17

He desires that same sacred intimacy with us. He longs for us to come away, and give the inner person of our hearts to Him.

But it's not because He needs it. Another feature of roses is their fleeting lifespan. They flourish for a few days, or maybe even a week, but then they die. We, as people, can survive without them. We are complete without them. How much more is God's ability to survive without us?  We have only a fleeting breath; we were formed from dust, and to dust we will return. In return for His love, we have rebelled and sinned against Him. He was complete without us, and had every right to reject us when we fell.... but He never did.

He took that brokenness, and created something precious. He took that dust, and made it something beautiful.

Roses are also dependent. Their buds can't form on their own. They have to grow on stems, in bushes, and on vines. When cut off, they can only live for so long. But when they are on the vine, they can flourish. They can become truly beautiful. They can grow into the creation they were designed to be. I love the way Jesus uses this imagery in John 15:

5 “I am the vine; you are the branches. If you remain in me and I in you, you will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing. 6 If you do not remain in me, you are like a branch that is thrown away and withers; such branches are picked up, thrown into the fire and burned. 7 If you remain in me and my words remain in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be done for you. 8 This is to my Father’s glory, that you bear much fruit, showing yourselves to be my disciples.

9 “As the Father has loved me, so have I loved you. Now remain in my love.10 If you keep my commands, you will remain in my love, just as I have kept my Father’s commands and remain in his love."

-John 15:5-9

Throughout the Bible, God is portrayed more than once as a gardener. He tends to His roses, and does not abandon them to the storms of life. He walks with them, cares for them, and loves them.
He will not forsake us.

~     ~     ~     ~     ~     ~     ~     ~     ~     ~ 

Worship Song: 

"Beloved"
by Tenth Avenue North