Dear Fellow Servants,
Ah yes, tis February, and the season of love. Don’t worry, though. I am not here to offer mushy advice on chocolates and flowers. The western world makes much of Valentines’ Day and all the pressure to show one’s affection for their true love. Instead, I would like to draw your attention to a passage in Scripture (one of many, I assure you) which is an example of true, sacrificial, covenant love. This is best exemplified in God Himself, of course, but let’s consider David and Jonathan. Look at 1 Samuel 18:3-4:
“Then Jonathan made a covenant with David, because he loved him as his own soul. And Jonathan stripped himself of the robe that was on him and gave it to David, and his armour, and even his sword and his bow and belt.”
Let me set something straight here. This is not a proof text for homosexual affection. There is absolutely nothing sexual implied here. This is a deep, committed love rooted in the love of the Father. This love was reciprocal. David and Jonathan made a covenant of loyalty that would far exceed their own lifetimes. Look at what Jonathan said to David in 1 Samuel 20:14-17:
“If I am still alive, show me the steadfast love of the LORD, that I may not die; and do not cut off your steadfast love from my house forever, when the LORD cuts off every one of the enemies of David from the face of the earth. And Jonathan made a covenant with the house of David, saying, ‘May The LORD take vengeance on David’s enemies.’ And Jonathan made David swear again by his love for him, for he loved him as he loved his own soul.”
These are pretty major promises, vows really, from each man to the other. The real test would come after Jonathan died in battle. Would David keep his end of the covenant? I mean, Jonathan is dead and can’t enforce what David promised…unless David’s love for his friend was true (which it was). Some time later, after David was installed as king, he remembered his covenant with his late friend. Jonathan had a crippled son left behind, Mephibosheth, who was in dire straights. Consider 2 Samuel 9:1, 7, 11:
“And David said, ‘Is there still anyone left of the house of Saul, that I may show him kindness for Jonathan’s sake?’… And David said to him, ‘Do not fear, for I will show you kindness for the sake of your father Jonathan, and I will restore to you all the land of Saul your father, and you shall eat at my table always’… So Mephibosheth ate at David’s table, like one of the king’s sons.”
Not only did David remember his promise, and make an effort to keep it, he exceeded what was required. His love was so strong, so devout, so sincere, that it elevated lowly Mephibosheth to the status of a king’ son. Shout AMEN, somebody! This is a picture of God’s unconditional and extravagant love for us. He delivered us from our lowly state and made us to sit at the King’s table. Now that’s what I call love!
Your fellow servant, Pastor Brian