November 12

I am the Rose of Sharon.--Sol. Song, ii. 1.

NATURE in its universal variety, is inadequate to set forth the excellency of the Lord Jesus But by the careful study of the metaphors employed, we may form some faint idea of his spiritual beauty, and have a more intimate knowledge of his inestimable qualities. It is said, that Sharon was distinguished for the beauty and abundance of roses, which it yielded, hence Jesus is represented, not merely as a rose, but in his pre-eminence, as the rose of Sharon. The beauty of the rose is universally admitted, and thus it faintly portrays the loveliness of the Redeemer's person. Jesus was infinitely fairer than the sons of men: he must eminently have been the perfection of Jehovah's works, as he was the brightness of his glory, and the express image of his person All that was holy, and dignified, and amiable, distinguished the blessed Redeemer. The rose is also celebrated for its fragrance, and thus it sets forth the richness and deliciousness of the communications of Jesus. He is the source of all the joys, and delights of his people: his odours fill his church with the most agreeable and delightful enjoyments; and all the excellencies of his people, and all that renders them acceptable to the Father either as to their persons or services, they derive from Sharon's fragrant rose. Then as the rose, he is the ornament and adorning of his people: he imparts unto them moral and spiritual beauty: he confers upon them true and abiding dignity. By union to him they are daily assimilated into his celestial likeness, and become partakers of his heavenly nature. When we go abroad then to behold the wonderful works of God, let our minds ascend from the creature, to the Creator, and especially, let us contemplate those things with spiritual delight, which metaphorically place before us, the loveliness and infinite excellencies of the Lord Jesus.