Greater Love

2 Samuel 1; Psalms 140; Matthew 13 

“’How the mighty have fallen in battle! Jonathon lies slain on your heights. I grieve for you, Jonathon, my brother; you were very dear to me. Your love for me was wonderful, more wonderful than that of women. How the mighty have fallen! The weapons of war have perished!’”

2 Samuel 1:25-27

David’s lament for Saul and Jonathon revealed his love for them despite Saul’s insane jealousy and murderous rage. That kind of love can only come from God. When Jonathon renounced the throne and formed a friendship-covenant with David, he also expressed a depth of sacrificial love that could only come from God. Jonathon went to David in his most lonely, desperate times, and helped him find strength in God. Jonathon was willing to sacrifice his future, his inheritance, and even his life for David. This is a different level of love than the love of romance David referred to in his lament for Jonathon. This is not ‘eros’ or even ‘philos,’ but rather, ‘agape’ love. The kind of love we receive from Jesus Christ through his death on a cross for our sin. “Greater love has no one than this… (John 15:13).”

“Lord Jesus, thank you for loving me sacrificially. I pray for your powerful love through me to touch others the same way, for your glory.”