PLEASE READ THIS FIRST: 1 Samuel 19-20
What do you sense the Lord saying to you in this passage?
“Because Jonathon loved him as he loved himself.” (1 Samuel 20:17)
Jonathan puts his own life in danger out of love for David (20:33).
The phrase “as he loved himself” seems to be a Hebrew expression.
It compares his love to the devotion we normally reserve for ourselves.
We help ourselves, we protect ourselves, we take care of ourselves.
Jesus adopts this same expression when he calls us to love others.
“Love your neighbor as yourself” (Matthew 22:39).
He then adds that the whole law calls for this kind of devotion.
Jesus not only commands this kind of love, he models it.
“Greater love has no one than this: to lay down one’s life for one’s friends.” (John 15:13)
God’s kingdom enters this dark world through this kind of love.
We join God and Jesus in restoring God’s kingdom with this kind of love.
But be honest, do I really love the people around me like this?
Do I help others, protect others, take care of others (1 Corinthians 13:4-8)?
With Jesus’s help, I can grow in this kind of love, if I really want to!
PRAYER
Lord, our world is filled with people who love themselves. Your kingdom revolution occurs as people join you in loving others as themselves. Help me by your Spirit to grow in this kind of love!
Jonathan’s blessing to David: “May the Lord be with you as he has been with my father” -1Sam. 20:13b – reveals something of Jonathan’s own understanding of his father – that he saw how God was with his father for sometime but now it is something that has been. Yet Jonathan wants this for David and it demonstrates his love for David too – in that he wants what is best for David. Jonathan sees David’s faithful and courageous walk with God – not wanting to seek revenge on Jonathan’s father. Jonathan too was targeted – and he knew of his father’s anger. Yet, he was also respectful of his father in spite of it all – Jonathan saw the effect of that evil spirit that tormented his father. I too must be faithful in my walk with the Lord – it is the blessing that I need.
Love God.
Love one another.
David and Jonathan were certainly examples of the Father’s love – desiring the best in one another.
One-anothering.
Love makes the world turn around. Love covers all. Love desires the best in those around us. I need also to share the love of Christ to those around me desiring the best for them.
One-anothering.
Living for Jesus a life that is true,
Striving to please Him in all that I do;
Yielding allegiance, glad-hearted and free,
This is the pathway of blessing for me.
O Jesus, Lord and Savior,
I give myself to Thee,
For Thou, in Thy [redemption],*
Didst give Thyself for me;
I own no other Master,
My heart shall be Thy throne,
My life I give, henceforth to live,
O Christ, for Thee alone.