CELEBRATING THE ROSE OF SHARON

I am the ROSE of Sharon, and the LILY of the valleys – Songs 2:1

I will celebrate the King of Glory in all His ramifications! The bride in the Song of Solomon described herself as “the rose of Sharon and lily of the valleys”, a complimentary term that expresses beauty. Whatever may be the primary interpretation, I choose to extol my Lord as “the Rose of Sharon and the Lily of the valleys”! Why? Jesus is as lovely and fragrant as a rose, and as humble and lowly as the lily! Also, the Hebrew word ‘Sharon’ means “a plain or a level place.” Geographically, Sharon is the coastal plain between the mountains of central Israel and the Mediterranean Sea, a fertile plain that was home to many flowers, a place of great fertility. Isaiah 35:2 lists Sharon in a context discussing blooming plants and describes the valley as “excellent.” Sharon was renowned for its majesty and beauty, but what about its "rose?"

The rose is the loveliest, most beautiful, and sweetest of all flowers; and may be called the queen of flowers, with unique virtues of shape, colour, fragrance, soothing aroma, and pain-relieving qualities. It is in its sweetness especially that the rose reminds us of the Lord Jesus Christ. His character was marked not only by principled firmness, but also tender “sweetness”! There is here a tacit reference to lowliness, beauty, and delicacy in the rose, as they were in Christ (Mt.11:29). Jesus Christ infinitely excels all, whether angels or men; none are to be compared to Him: “My heart is overflowing with a good theme; I recite my composition concerning the King; My tongue is the pen of a ready writer. You are fairer than the sons of men; Grace is poured upon Your lips; Therefore God has blessed You forever” (Psa.45:1-2).

Moreover, the rose is the most common of flowers. It is the universal flower, found in virtually all climates and countries. It belongs to everybody. In this respect the rose resembles Christ, for He is our commonwealth; belongs to peasant and prince; poor and rich; the child as well as of the aged. He belongs to all nations, to the dwellers in north, south, east and west. There is no one, whatever he may be, or wherever he lives, who cannot say, “The Lord Jesus Christ is my Saviour, and I claim Him as my Lord"! The rose of Sharon grows in dry, unfavorable conditions, as did Jesus coming from humblest root of Jesse. Isaiah 35:1 even testifies that “the desert shall rejoice and blossom as the rose”!

My Saviour is also the Lily of the valleys – that flower that’s known for its gracefulness, with pretty little white bells ranged in a row on a tapering stalk. It appears to hide itself modestly under the shade of its broad green leaves. The lily is of a beautiful white colour, and represents purity – the very nature of the Lord Jesus Christ. Never at any time did He think, or say, or do anything unholy or impure. As a child, a boy, and a man, He was absolutely free from fault. Moreover, the lily of the valley, with its drooping head, retires behind the shade of its broad green leaves, instead of thrusting itself forward – an emblem of lowliness or humility, also epitomized by the Lord Jesus Christ (Phil. 2:5-11).