While they tell a lot of stories about a lot of things, though they provide a ton of information about how things are supposed to work, I believe the Scriptures ultimately testify of Christ. That, though Jesus “began” with Moses and the Prophets as He gave His Messiah 101 class to the disciples on the road to Emmaus (Lk. 24:27), when it says that “He interpreted to them in all the Scriptures the things concerning Himself” it really does mean that the “things concerning Himself” where found in all the Scriptures. That, when Jesus said the Scriptures “bear witness about Me” (Jn. 5:39), that He was saying all the Scriptures bear witness of Him. So, it makes sense then that, as I work through my reading plan in the morning, I’m always on the lookout for Jesus.

Sometimes it’s a bit tricky, though. Like when I’m reading through The Song of Solomon.

How much of this book is meant as sort of a primer on true love and where’s it to be a picture of the One who loved in truth? Don’t want to miss Christ in it. Also don’t want to project Christ where it’s not appropriate.

But this morning, I think I “found Him” in Solomon’s song. And my reading in 1Peter confirmed it. Because of a soul connection.

On my bed by night I sought him whom my soul loves;
       I sought him, but found him not.
I will rise now and go about the city,
       in the streets and in the squares;
I will seek him whom my soul loves.
       I sought him, but found him not.
The watchmen found me
       as they went about in the city.
“Have you seen him whom my soul loves?”
Scarcely had I passed them
       when I found him whom my soul loves.

(Song of Solomon 3:1-4a ESV)

Whole lotta’ repetition going on there. The Spirit is laying down something that I’m supposed to be picking up. Could it be that the “alias” used by Solomon’s bride for her betrothed might just be an appropriate way for the church to respond to her Bridegroom? I’m thinkin’ . . .

Him whom my soul loves . . . that’s what I’m chewing on this morning.

Meditating on the One who should capture the affections of not just my heart, but of my whole being. Affections so stirring the inner man that I can’t help but be spurred on to a love-fueled pursuit of the One who has loved me “with an everlasting love” (Jer. 31:3). “That I might know Him” (Php. 3:10) — Him whom my soul loves.

And then Peter adds some color as to why there’s this soul connection.

He Himself bore our sins in His body on the tree, that we might die to sin and live to righteousness. By His wounds you have been healed. For you were straying like sheep, but have now returned to the Shepherd and Overseer of your souls.

(1Peter 2:24-25 ESV)

The Beloved is loved at a soul level because He is the Shepherd and Overseer of my soul. The connection not something I could ever make happen, but only a reality because He bore my sin in His body on the tree so I might live to righteousness. And in that righteousness, I know a soul enlivened to its Savior, its Shepherd, its Sovereign. So that having my soul healed by His wounds He becomes Him whom my soul loves. And that’s the soul connection.

Though you have not seen Him, you love Him.

(1Peter 1:7a ESV)

By His grace. For His glory.