PLEASE READ THIS FIRST: 2 Samuel 17-18
What do you sense the Lord saying to you in this passage?
“If only I had died instead of you — O Absalom, my son, my son.” (2 Samuel 18:33)
In this story of betrayal, we see the broken heart of a father for his son.
Even though Absalom would have killed David, David grieves his death.
I sense in this the broken heart of God for his children as well.
We see this broken heart it Jesus, who grieves for God’s wayward children.
“He came to that which was his own, but his own did not receive him.” (John 1:11)
“You who kill the prophets and stone those sent to you, how often I have longed to gather your children together, as a hen gathers her chicks under her wings, and you were not willing.” (Matthew 23:37)
“Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they are doing.” (Luke 23:34)
In Jesus’s case, he does choose to die instead, for God’s children.
David is a flawed king, yet he does give us hints of the future coming messiah.
Jesus, the son of David, is also betrayed, but he does not send out his armies.
Unlike David he goes himself, facing death at the hands of his betrayer.
And love wins, love overcomes evil, love defeats sin and death and restores life.
I am thankful that Jesus died instead of me, so that I can live with him!
PRAYER
Lord, I sense your broken heart when I hold back from you. I sense your love in how you died for me. Thank you for showing me that I am God’s son, despite my flaws and failures.
Even though Absalom had been rebellious and ready to kill his Father to take over the throne, David still grieves for him. David has mercy for his errant son – much like the Father in the parable of the prodigal son. It’s an example of God the Father’s great mercy and undeserved grace for mankind, for me! I’m disobedient too – I need God’s mercy and I find it in Jesus.
Children are a gift from the Lord.
Great sadness has any parent when their child dies. The parent, like David, would have exchanged places for their child’s death. David mourns greatly for his son’s death.
So too the Lord mourns for His children who have gone astray. Jesus died so I could live. Help me daily Lord to live for You.
Living for Jesus who died in my place,
Bearing on Calv’ry my sin and disgrace;
Such love constrains me to answer His call,
Follow His leading and give Him my all.
3
Living for Jesus wherever I am,
Doing each duty in His holy name;
Willing to suffer affliction and loss,
Deeming each trial a part of my cross.