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Day 27: Pursuit in Service (SoS 1:4b)

 "Draw me away! We will run after you. The king has brought me into his chambers. We will be glad and rejoice in you. We will remember your love more than wine. Rightly do they love you." Song of Songs 1:4

We know, by now, that a life of intimacy with Jesus involves relentless pursuit. We must always run after Jesus our Beloved whether He pulls us or not. It's what He did and still does for us. Though we didn't know Him or care about Him, He died for us. Even after He died, He continued to chase us until we finally accepted His love. After accepting His love, He still in every way show His love for us.

Everyone has something that means the world to them. Caring for and committing to that thing translates into love for them, not just love, but the ultimate expression of love. If God had a weakness, it would be man. If Jesus had a weakness, it would be His Bride, collectively and individually. There is one thing Jesus is continually working on. A project that means everything to Him: His church. Both are getting men into it and perfecting them in it. Ephesians 5:25-27 says:
"Husbands, love your wives, just as Christ also loved the church and gave Himself for her, 26that He might sanctify and cleanse her with the washing of water by the word, 27that He might present her to Himself a glorious church, not having spot or wrinkle or any such thing, but that she should be holy and without blemish."
After Jesus was resurrected from the dead, He appeared to His disciples and inquired if Peter loved Him three times. Being the omniscient God, He was not asking because He didn't know Peter loved Him or because Peter's denial of Him had made Him insecure. He was asking because He wanted to make a point. Three times in John 21, He said to Peter:

"...“Simon, son of Jonah, do you love Me?” Peter was grieved because He said to him the third time, “Do you love Me?” And he said to Him, “Lord, You know all things; You know that I love You.” Jesus said to him, “Feed My sheep."
In essence, if Peter wanted to show His love for Him, he must commit to loving what He loves. Jesus by that was calling Peter to run after Him in His example of service to the body. It's the same for us. We can't say we love Jesus and not care about what His heart beats for: the salvation of man and the maturity/well-being of His Bride.

To truly live out our commitment to running after Jesus, we must busy ourselves with these two tasks every day of our lives. We must serve in His house where His Bride is, and in our world and neighborhoods where we interact with many who do not know Him. We are not to choose between the two. Both are necessary. We must commit to serving in a local church and doing good works that give us an avenue to reach the unsaved. When we commit to service, we commit to running with others in and outside our local assembly who are dedicated to this same life of pursuit.

PRAY WITH ME:
Lord Jesus, put in my heart the same love and passion you have for the souls of men and your church. Let my heart beat continually for the furtherance of your kingdom. Show me what I must do and grant me the grace to run the race you have set before me. Amen.

REFLECT AND ACT:
  • Do you serve in your local church? How committed are you to this service? Do you give it your all or are you half-assed about it?
  • How are you serving the Lord outside the local church; in your workplace, in your neighborhood, and even on social media?
  • Come up with a plan on how you will use your talents and resources to preach the gospel and ensure the well-being of fellow believers.

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