May 26                                          John 11 - 13

LOVE COMPARED

MEMORISE: ‘I am distressed for thee, my brother Jonathan: very pleasant hast thou been unto me thy love to me was wonderful, passing the love of woman.’ (2 Sam 1: 26)
READ: 1 Samuel 18: 1 – 4

‘I am distressed for thee, my brother Jonathan: very pleasant hast thou been unto me: thy love to me was wonderful, passing the love of women’ (2 sam 1: 26). After the death of Jonathan, David lamented him greatly. He recalled the fact that they had make a covenant and loved each other very much. Jonathan was king Saul’s son. Once reason King Saul wanted to kill David was that he feared David might succeed him as king instead of his son, but Jonathan wanted David to rule before him (1 Sam 20: 30- 34). Jonathan gave David his robe, garments, sword, bow and girdle. A robe is worn for ornament. Garments help to prevent cold. The sword is for fighting and the bow for hunting. In those days, the girdle was where you put your treasure before typing it around your waist for safety.

‘Behold what manner of love the Father hath bestowed upon us, that we should be called the sons of God: therefore the world knoweth us not, because it knew him not’ (1 John 3:1). The love between Jonathan and David was great, yet the love God has for you is far greater. It is unsurpassable! When you come to God in repentance, the first thing he does is clothe you with salvation. Even after their fall, God covered the nakedness of Adam and Eve before sending them out of Eden. Since then, no matter how bad your sins are, if you return in true repentance, God will cover your nakedness!

Jonathan gave David his sword and bow, but according to Ephesians 6:10- 17, God offers you his full armour. Jonathan did not give David his shoes (Ruth 4: 7). In those days, shoes were worn only by sons, not servants. Jonathan’s refusal to release his shoes to David meant that although they were friends, their friendship had a limit. But than k God that in Christ, we are made sons forever. Jesus clothes us in the Gospel boots that enable us to be victorious over Satan. When Jonathan died, so did his love for David. But Jesus loves us to the end. He never dies. And he has gone to prepare a place for us in heaven so that we can live with him forever! (John 14: 1- 3). The love of Jesus for you is unsurpassable. Do you reciprocate that love?

ACTION POINT
Thank the Lord Jesus for loving you so much.
Ask him to help you to love him as you have never loved anyone else.