Matthew Henry
“The first lesson in Christ’s school is self-denial.”
Abiding in Christ’s friendship love is marked by sacrifice—his and yours. He instructed his disciples, “This is my commandment, that you love one another as I have loved you. Greater love has no one than this, that someone lay down his life for his friends. You are my friends if you do what I command you.” (John 15:12-14) Jesus laid down his life for his friends. He instructed them to love each other after this same manner. The Christian’s life is marked not necessarily by a staggering once-in-a-lifetime act of self-sacrifice. The Christian’s life is more often marked by the less spectacular but not less significant love shown day by day. A daily dying to self that is linked to the cross and seeks to promote the good of another. The Lord Jesus did both perfectly. He calls us not to immediate perfection but joyful obedience and to follow him in taking up our cross daily.
An excellent and well-known example of friendship is found in the relationship that David and Jonathan shared. From 1 Samuel 18:3-4, “Then Jonathan made a covenant with David, because he loved him as his own soul. And Jonathan stripped himself of the robe that was on him and gave it to David, and his armor, and even his sword and his bow and his belt.” There are many things to note about their friendship. It was framed by a covenant. Out of love, Jonathan made a covenant with David. Jonathan removed his own robe, a significant gesture, and presented it to David. He gave David his own armor. Earlier David had rejected Saul’s armor, but here he receives his covenant friend’s armor. Jonathan also presents David with his weapons, his sword and bow. If we consider Jonathan a type of Christ then we can see that Christ gives us the following: 1) his robe of righteousness; 2) the armor of God; 3) the sword of the Spirit, which is the Word of God; and 4) the bow (possibly for shooting the arrow of prayer heavenward)? And all of this within the framework of covenant. Have you come to Christ and are you trusting in his new covenant which he has accomplished by shedding his blood. Are you trusting him today? Would he call you “friend”? Have a blessed week and we will see many of you on Sunday.
Love in Christ,
Pastor Dale
