The Eyes That Overcome Christ's Heart

"Turn away thine eyes from Me, for they have overcome Me." — Song of Solomon 4:9

In great condescension, the heavenly Bridegroom speaks to His spouse, bidding her take note that her eyes have overcome Him. Yet understand: there is no opposition between Christ and His people requiring conquest. He loves His bride too well to allow division of feeling to separate them. Rather, there exists holy discipline in Christ's house that withholds the coveted blessing until we have learned to pray in earnest; the power that wins victory in prayer has its real basis in Christ's own love.

First, observe that the Church has already overcome the heart of our heavenly Bridegroom. When He looked upon her in the far-distant past, she conquered Him. During His earthly ministry, His inmost heart stirred often as He gazed upon the people He loved. Now, risen from the dead, He still feels the power of beholding His redeemed. He looks down upon the saints on earth—myriads trusting in Him, conquering sin by His might, spared from the pit by His precious blood—and seems to say again: "Turn away thine eyes from Me, for they have overcome Me," as if Christ felt that a glance at His people brought almost too much joy.

Second, the eyes of Christ's chosen ones still overcome Him when they look up in deep repentance, glancing at Him hopefully through their tears. There is wondrous power in the penitent eye.