Day 142: A New Type of Love

22 May, 2020

The Daily Word: Friday, May 22nd, 2020
2 Samuel 1:1-2:11
John 12:20-50
Psalm 118:19-29
Proverbs 15:27-28
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Commentary from Pastor Michael White:
I am distressed for you, my brother Jonathan; you have been very pleasant to me; your love to me was wonderful, surpassing the love of women. – 2 Sam. 1:26

When Jonathan died, David was distraught. He was “distressed!” Jonathan gave David something no one had ever given him before: he was a true brother. David reflected that the brotherly love he shared with Jonathan was, “…wonderful, surpassing the love of women.” There is a type of love a brother (or a sister) can provide that a romantic relationship simply cannot supply.

And Jesus wants to provide that same type of love to you. His lovingkindess is better than life (Ps. 63:3)! David is a type of Jesus. As we read about the life of this man who achieved victory wherever he went, we are supposed to think of Jesus! And Jonathan represents you and me: the Church. Jonathan wasn’t concerned with  becoming king after his father Saul! He knew David was the rightful heir as the Lord’s anointed; so he supported and loved David as well as he could.

In the same way, our goal as the Church is not to grab power for ourselves. It is to glorify Jesus.  Jesus is the One who is seated on the throne! He has shown us a love that is far better than any romance we have ever known. Can we exalt Him and glorify Him, and be willing our lay our lives down for Him, just as Jonathan did for David?

But there is a friend who sticks closer than a brother. – Prov. 18:24b

Prayer:

Father, I pray that everything I do would exalt Jesus. Help me be to Jesus as Jonathan was to David: always loving, always supporting, and always honoring in every way. Jesus, thank You for showing me a Covenant love that nothing and no one in this world could ever provide! I will lay down my life in return, in Jesus’ name.

Archives
See commentary from this day in 2014.
See commentary from this day in 2015.
See commentary from this day in 2016.
See commentary from this day in 2017.
See commentary from this day in 2018.
See commentary from this day in 2019.

© Michael D. White, 2020. All rights reserved.