“Then David fled from Naioth at Ramah and went to Jonathan and asked, “What have I done? What is my crime? How have I wronged your father, that he is trying to kill me?” 2 “Never!” Jonathan replied. “You are not going to die! Look, my father doesn’t do anything, great or small, without letting me know. Why would he hide this from me? It isn’t so!” 3 But David took an oath and said, “Your father knows very well that I have found favor in your eyes, and he has said to himself, ‘Jonathan must not know this or he will be grieved.’ Yet as surely as the Lord lives and as you live, there is only a step between me and death.” 4 Jonathan said to David, “Whatever you want me to do, I’ll do for you.” 1 Samuel 20.1-4
Have you ever had a friend who would do anything for you? My father-in-law is that kind of person. He will go out of his way to do whatever you need, even at the expense of his own time, commitments, or desires. This is an amazing gift of selfless love, and it’s not one that comes easily to me. Typically, if someone asks me to do something that is inconvenient, I would rather not do it!
But there are some who are always ready and willing to serve—looking for every opportunity to care for others in need. I am not naturally that kind of person, as much as I would like to be, but Jonathan (and my father-in-law) are. In this story, we see Jonathan wholly devoted to his brother in the Lord and best friend, David. Jonathan loved David more than he loved himself. Even though Jonathan was in line to be the next king, he knew David was God’s anointed. He understood that David was most likely going to become the next king of Israel. And yet, Jonathan was willing to love, help, and sacrifice for David however he needed, even when confronting his own father, who did not love his friend.
Jesus is the ultimate sacrificer. And He sent the ultimate helper—the Holy Spirit. The same characteristics we find in the members of the Godhead, we also see in Jonathan and others who offer selfless acts of love and sacrifice.
Our goal as Christians should be to imitate the Lord Jesus. These qualities, which come from Him and are reflected in others, can be adopted and cultivated as habits in our own lives. We can serve without being asked, sacrifice without complaint, and love without expecting anything in return. To be like a God who gave up everything for us, we can simply put others first. As Kanakuk Kamps promotes with their motto, “I’m Third,” we as Christ-followers can do the same.
Who can you serve today? Who can you help so that others will see Christ in you?
“O Lord God, you are good. Thank you for loving me. Thank you for allowing me to learn from You. I need You, God. I need the power of Your Holy Spirit to guide me, love me, and show me the way to life eternal. I praise You, Lord, for Your unending love. Come now, Holy Spirit, and make me more like Christ. Help me submit so that I might reflect Your glory. For You are good, and Your love endures forever. Amen.”