Song of Solomon 1:2

It begins with a recognition of the blessedness of Messiah's love. His name, because of the graces in Him, is like ointment poured out. The uncorrupted ones love Him — those, I suppose, who have guarded themselves from idolatry and corruption.

Instead of saying, "Let Messiah kiss me," she says what is more fitting, more becoming. There was only one object. As she was His object, so He was her Object, for this is the point; and she does not need to say who. And indeed is not this its beauty? "Let him." It could not be mistaken. There might be ever so many in the world, but there was only One. And that was the One whom she had so offended — whom she had refused and rejected and despised.

In holy Scripture a kiss is the token of reconciliation, the pledge of peace, and the expression of affection... And the father kissed the prodigal son while he was still in his rags. Would such displays of love be too much to ask, or to expect, once he was clean from all his defilement and wearing the best robe? Certainly not! Is it too much, then, for the bride in the Song — for the believer in Jesus — to desire such an expression of the Lord's love? We are sure she desired it, not because she had any doubt that it was there, but because she delighted to see it shown. Love can only be satisfied with love.

The love of Jesus is now preferred to all the joys of earth. Wine is the symbol of the natural delights of men — the joys and luxuries of earth. But what are all these now, even in their most charming form, to the soul that is delighting in the love of Jesus? They have lost their charm for the eye and the heart, and now they would be a weariness and a burden heavy to carry. Jesus Himself is the soul's delight. "Though you have not seen him, you love him. Though you do not now see him, you believe in him and rejoice with joy that is inexpressible and filled with glory." (1 Peter 1:8)

She speaks not so much of the love itself, but of the enjoyment of the love. This is what is "better than wine." Every renewed heart will agree. The love of Christ is always beyond all our thoughts, infinite and unspeakable. Yet it is only as we enjoy it that we enter into it or appreciate it at all... Another thing is equally true. The more we taste of the love of Christ, the more we desire it. Every experience of it produces a deeper longing for a larger measure. So if the bride had not already known something of the Bridegroom's affection, she would never have spoken this passionate desire.

Trace the devoted life of the Apostle Paul — the persecutions he suffered, the perils he faced, the hardships he endured — and ask what the hidden secret of that life was. We hear him answer, "the life I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself for me" (Galatians 2:20). Here was the hidden spring of his life: a heart kept in the assurance and enjoyment of Christ's individual love. There are other loves in this world, but His love alone can satisfy the heart — "Let Him kiss me." For satisfaction of heart His love must be consciously known. This is what the kiss means — "Let Him kiss me." But further, His love must be known as an individual and personal love, "Let Him kiss me."