Rooted in Love

Our theme this morning comes from Ephesians 3:14–19, where Paul prays that we would be empowered through the Spirit, rooted in God’s love, and able to grasp “how wide, how long, how high, and how deep” the love of Christ truly is. This is the heartbeat of our gathering—discovering what it means to be the Beloved of God.

What Does “Beloved” Mean?

Beloved means dearly loved, greatly cherished, dear to the heart.

The word echoes throughout Scripture, but one of the most beautiful portrayals of this love is found in the Song of Solomon:

• He brought me to the banqueting house, and his banner over me was love.” (Song of Solomon 2:4 NKJV)
• “My beloved is mine, and I am his.” (Song of Solomon 2:16 NKJV)

This imagery reminds us of Christ, the Bridegroom, and His Church, the Bride (Mark 2:19–20; Revelation 19:7–8). Our affection and devotion are directed to Jesus, the One Scripture calls the most outstanding among ten thousand (Song of Solomon 5:10).

The Banqueting Table

The banqueting table represents far more than food. It is a place of:

• Provision and abundance
• Joy and fellowship
• Fulfillment and satisfaction
• Freedom and peace in God’s presence

Throughout the Bible, banquets carry symbolic meaning:

• The prodigal son returning home to a feast (Luke 15)
• The Passover and Last Supper (Matthew 26)
• David’s declaration: “You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies” (Psalm 23:5)
• The parable of the Great Feast (Luke 14)
• The Wedding Supper of the Lamb (Revelation 19)

At God’s table, sins are forgiven, grace is extended, and inner strength is renewed by the Spirit (Ephesians 3:16).

His Banner Over Us

The banner mentioned in Song of Solomon symbolizes protection, shelter, identity, and love. The Hebrew word for banner is Nissi. From this we get Yahweh Nissi—“The Lord Our Banner” (Exodus 17:15). Under His banner, we are covered, protected, and given identity in Christ.

The Father Himself declared Jesus as His Beloved: “This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased.” (Matthew 3:17; 17:5)

If Jesus is God’s Beloved, and we are in Christ, then we too are accepted as the Beloved of the Father (Ephesians 1:4–6; 1 John 3:1).

Living as the Beloved

Being God’s Beloved means more than knowing we are loved—it means living from that love.

• Jesus invites us to sit at His feet and hear His heartbeat.
• He replenishes what is dry and fills what feels empty.
• He teaches us to love others as He has loved us.
• He roots us deeply in His love so that we stand firm in every season.

Fix your eyes on your Beloved. Tune your ear to His voice. Let Him fill you with all the fullness of God.

The Banquet of Communion

At the ultimate banquet table—Communion—we encounter Jesus, who laid down His life for us.

• “This is my body, which is given for you. Do this in remembrance of me.” (1 Corinthians 11:24)
• “This cup is the new covenant… poured out as a sacrifice to forgive the sins of many.” (Matthew 26:28)

Communion is not just a ritual; it is an invitation to intimacy with Christ, to meet with Him, and to be reminded of His covenant love.

A Personal Invitation

Jesus is calling us to the table today. He invites us to:

• Drink from His cup of living water.
• Be nourished by the bread of life.
• Receive His love in every hidden place of our hearts.

At the table, distractions fall away, burdens are lifted, and we are reminded of who we truly are: His Beloved.

Reflection

As part of this reflection, write a personal prayer to Jesus, your Beloved. Bring it to Him in faith, and let this moment draw you deeper into His love.