“I am the rose of Sharon, and the lily of the valleys.” (Song of Solomon 2:1)
This Scripture is taken from a book written by King Solomon. It’s very poetic and figurative in nature. Bible scholars believe it to be prophetic of the Messiah. There are references where I can see that it does pertain to the Lord. But for me, this book is difficult to understand. Nevertheless, our Scripture for today is taken from this book. Let’s see what it tells us about the Lord.
It seems that Jesus is speaking and saying I am the rose of Sharon. The rose of Sharon is an actual rose that is perfect in shape, color and fragrance and is known as the queen of flowers. In that respect we can make an analogy that Jesus was perfect in His humanity when He walked on this earth. He was all man in body and soul (mind, will and emotions). “Our High Priest is not one who cannot feel sympathy for our weaknesses. On the contrary, we have a High Priest who was tempted in every way that we are but did not sin.” (Hebrews 4:15) But being all God, He had the fulness of the Holy Spirit. “For in Him dwelleth all the fulness of the Godhead bodily.” (Colossians 2:9)
What Paul means is that He was all God also. Even though Jesus had a body that hurt and functioned just like our bodies, it was ruled by the Spirit within Him. It never sinned. His feet never took Him anywhere the Father didn’t direct Him to go. His hands never touched anything the Father didn’t direct Him to touch. He had a soul (mind, will and emotions) like ours that makes decisions on what we see, hear and feel on this earth. But the difference was that His mind, will and emotions were ruled by the Spirit within Him. Temptations came to His mind, but Jesus knew how to resist the devil. “Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you.” (James 4:7) Jesus was totally submitted to the Father, doing and saying only what the Father wanted. All His decisions were influenced by the Spirit.
I’ve heard and have been taught that Jesus was our example. He lived a life ruled by the Spirit of God. And we, as children of God are to be ruled by the Spirit of God. Scripture tells us many times to live in the Spirit, walk in the Spirit or be led of the Spirit. There are about 27 Scriptures that refer to life in the Spirit. What it all means is to live and walk like Jesus lived and walked here in this earth. God would not command us to live this way if it were impossible. Although we may not always be able to do this, because of our flesh and because our souls have been influenced by the flesh for so long, it’s always a battle between the flesh and the things of the Spirit. “For what our human nature wants is opposed to what the Spirit wants, and what the Spirit wants is opposed to what our human nature wants. These two are enemies, and this means that you cannot do what you want to do.” (Galatians 5:17) But as we continue to fellowship with the Spirit (2 Corinthians 13:14), study God’s Word and obey the influence of the Spirit in our soul (mind, will and emotions) we will make progress in living in the Spirit, walking in the Spirit and being led of the Spirit. “For they that are after the flesh do mind the things of the flesh; but they that are after the Spirit the things of the Spirit. For to be carnally minded is death; but to be spiritually minded is life and peace. Because the carnal mind is enmity against God: for it is not subject to the law of God, neither indeed can be. So, then they that are in the flesh cannot please God.” (Romans 8:5-8)
Then Jesus refers to Himself as Lily of the Valley. He said this about lilies: “Consider the lilies how they grow: they toil not, they spin not; and yet I say unto you, that Solomon in all his glory was not arrayed like one of these.” (Luke 12:27) So many implications can be made. First Jesus doesn’t do His own Will, but the Will of the Father. He doesn’t struggle to become a King, because He is King in glory and splendor beyond the splendor of the most majestic on earth. And He tells us also, to draw near to God and seek Him. Don’t worry about your future, what to wear, what to eat and what to do. God provides for His family. Jesus said: “Therefore I say unto you, Take no thought for your life, what ye shall eat; neither for the body, what ye shall put on. The life is more than meat, and the body is more than raiment. Consider the ravens: for they neither sow nor reap; which neither have storehouse nor barn; and God feedeth them: how much more are ye better than the fowls? And which of you with taking thought can add to his stature one cubit? If ye then be not able to do that thing which is least, why take ye thought for the rest? Consider the lilies how they grow: they toil not, they spin not; and yet I say unto you, that Solomon in all his glory was not arrayed like one of these. If then God so clothe the grass, which is to day in the field, and tomorrow is cast into the oven; how much more will he clothe you, O ye of little faith? And seek not ye what ye shall eat, or what ye shall drink, neither be ye of doubtful mind. For all these things do the nations of the world seek after: and your Father knoweth that ye have need of these things. But rather seek ye the kingdom of God; and all these things shall be added unto you.” (Luke 12:22-31) The principle thing we learn is that God is all in all. We cannot go wrong if we just put Him first, first in our thoughts, first in our words and first in our actions.
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