The Nearness of You

Before we ever dated, Marci and I spent a year playing in a traveling band, performing concerts across the country and becoming best friends. It was a fun and exciting time in our lives.

During a rehearsal break, I was playing that beautiful old love song, “The Nearness of You” on the piano. Marci approached me and jokingly said, “Will you marry me?”

After our tour ended we started dating. Three months later (all joking aside) I asked her to marry me!

Today, whenever we hear “The Nearness of You” we say, “They’re playing our song!” The romantic ballad expresses a lover’s desire to be near their beloved. It reminds me of Jesus when He said:

“I am going to prepare a place for you. When everything is ready, I will come and get you, so that you will always be with me where I am.” John‬ ‭14‬:‭2‬-‭3‬ ‭

Wow! The King of the Universe desires to always be near me! What love! This is the heart of the gospel!

“The kingdom of heaven is like a certain king who arranged a marriage for his son,” Matthew‬ ‭22‬:‭2‬ ‭

Before time began, God the Father wanted a bride for His Son—someone He could passionately love, with the hope that she would love Him back and want to be with Him forever.

The reason Jesus came to earth was to woo His future bride and win her heart. He first had to rescue her from the clutches of the devil, who had held her “captive to do his will.” 2 Timothy 2:26. To free her, the Bridegroom had to pay her ransom.

Christ was beaten within an inch of His life—then nailed to a wooden cross. He suffered utter humiliation and ultimate pain to show His future bride how deeply He loved her. After conquering death, He lavished gifts upon her.

“I am overwhelmed with joy in the Lord my God! For he has dressed me with the clothing of salvation and draped me in a robe of righteousness. I am like a bridegroom dressed for his wedding or a bride with her jewels.” Isaiah‬ ‭61‬:‭10‬ ‭

Beloved, this is no fairy tale. It’s the most epic love story of all time about your lovesick Bridegroom who longs to forever experience…

The nearness of you!

“You have captured my heart, my treasure, my bride. . . Your love delights me, my treasure, my bride.” Song of Songs‬ ‭4‬:‭9‬-‭10‬ ‭