2 Samuel 1.25-26 25 “How the mighty have fallen in battle! Jonathan lies slain on your heights. 26 I grieve for you, Jonathan my brother; you were very dear to me. Your love for me was wonderful, more wonderful than that of women. – David
It takes a big man to say what David said, and to sing
what David sang: Your love for me was wonderful…
David and Jonathan were friends in a deep and special way. They accepted one
another and saw in each other, God and greatness.
Now, my Pastor always tells me he loves me. I accept
that. My brothers tell me they love me – I accept that. But I have never heard
someone say: Paul, your love for me is
wonderful; more wonderful than that of women. That’s not acceptable in our
day – I think. It’s not that it isn’t right; it’s just not what we say.
The love of women is
wonderful. The love of women is the gift of: I accept you. In other words: I accept you for in all the smelliness
and crudeness that is man. I accept
your awkwardness in intimacy, I accept your childish emotions. I accept your
hairy face and body. I accept you. Every
man wants that.
Acceptance is the freedom to be loved, and to love, just
the way I am. Acceptance paves the way for self-improvement. Acceptance awakens
that sleeping hope of promise, and mutual fulfillment. Acceptance oils the
gears between the sexes. So, for a man to accept another man on the level of
David and Jonathan – it’s huge!!
Jonathan was royalty and the heir to the throne. But he
knew David was the Lord’s anointed. He knew God had special plans for David and
for Israel. Jonathan accepted his place in God’s plan. And Jonathan accepted
God’s plan for David.
Like everything in this world, all can be twisted,
maligned, and ridiculed. But acceptance on the level of these two servants of
God, Jonathan and David, from different backgrounds and callings, was truly
remarkable. I’m not sure if it has ever been repeated since those days.
And remarkably, a true man, a big man sang glorious
praise over God’s king and his son. David didn’t spike the football. David didn’t
gloat over the loss of Saul – he sang and wept and did what real men ought to
do: he mourned the loss of the great.
It’s good to consider such words about such men, and hold
out hope that we men of today can get to that place where we can truly say: “…you are very dear to me. Your love for me is
wonderful, more wonderful than that of women.”
Father, I have
learned today that relationship, in Christ, ought to be just like relationship
with Christ: undying affection and acceptance. Break down the resistance in me
with my brothers to accept them for who they are and for what You’ve called
them to do. May we love each other as You love us – in Christ. Amen
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