Seeking a Jonathan, being a Jonathan
"Jonathan ... loved David with his whole soul." (1 Samuel 20:17)
"You shall certainly not die," says Jonathan to his friend David, whose life has just been sought by Saul. Although he conquered Goliath, the Philistine giant who had cursed Israel`s God, David has to flee before the king of his own people. His options are limited and a feeling of defenselessness overcomes him. "And my heart has failed me," he cries. There seems to be no way out. The fact that he is God`s chosen has become a burden to him; it is an unbearable weight to be the holder of "the irrevocable calling" of God. (Romans 11:29) Jonathan, King Saul`s son, and consequently, the heir apparent to the throne, realizes that his persecuted friend is the chosen one of the Eternal and he helps David with his whole heart. Not only in spite of his father, but also in spite of himself and his own expected throne. For he loved David "with his whole soul."
The two friends argue. David can only see what is obvious. A net is closing in on him and there is no escaping the army of the king. Death is only a few steps away. Jonathan believes that to him who has been sent by God, many things may happen. He may be oppressed and persecuted and incriminated -- but he cannot perish. He foresees that "the Lord will cut off all the enemies of David from the face of the earth."(1 Samuel 20:15) Do we have a friend like this who is able to lift our eyes above the things we can see? Someone who believes that God will work out, in us and with us, all that He has begun? Do we have someone on whom we can count when in trouble?
Everyone can find someone who is good to him or her for a short while. But who can find a true friend who is able to show him or her God`s presence and providence in their life? If not, we have to state cynically and disconsolately with Jean-Paul Sartre that "we have no father, there is nobody up there: we are all orphans."
Jonathan swears that if he finds out that his father wants to have David killed, he will let his friend know so that David can stay away from the royal court. A faithful friend obstructs the passage of hatred and of "the father of lies" who "was a murderer from the beginning." (John 8:44).
It is not enough that I be a good friend to my friends. I must also take care not to deprive them of Christ, of the True Friend, "the brother born for adversity." (Proverbs 17:17)
[PV, 2003]
"You shall certainly not die," says Jonathan to his friend David, whose life has just been sought by Saul. Although he conquered Goliath, the Philistine giant who had cursed Israel`s God, David has to flee before the king of his own people. His options are limited and a feeling of defenselessness overcomes him. "And my heart has failed me," he cries. There seems to be no way out. The fact that he is God`s chosen has become a burden to him; it is an unbearable weight to be the holder of "the irrevocable calling" of God. (Romans 11:29) Jonathan, King Saul`s son, and consequently, the heir apparent to the throne, realizes that his persecuted friend is the chosen one of the Eternal and he helps David with his whole heart. Not only in spite of his father, but also in spite of himself and his own expected throne. For he loved David "with his whole soul."
The two friends argue. David can only see what is obvious. A net is closing in on him and there is no escaping the army of the king. Death is only a few steps away. Jonathan believes that to him who has been sent by God, many things may happen. He may be oppressed and persecuted and incriminated -- but he cannot perish. He foresees that "the Lord will cut off all the enemies of David from the face of the earth."(1 Samuel 20:15) Do we have a friend like this who is able to lift our eyes above the things we can see? Someone who believes that God will work out, in us and with us, all that He has begun? Do we have someone on whom we can count when in trouble?
Everyone can find someone who is good to him or her for a short while. But who can find a true friend who is able to show him or her God`s presence and providence in their life? If not, we have to state cynically and disconsolately with Jean-Paul Sartre that "we have no father, there is nobody up there: we are all orphans."
Jonathan swears that if he finds out that his father wants to have David killed, he will let his friend know so that David can stay away from the royal court. A faithful friend obstructs the passage of hatred and of "the father of lies" who "was a murderer from the beginning." (John 8:44).
It is not enough that I be a good friend to my friends. I must also take care not to deprive them of Christ, of the True Friend, "the brother born for adversity." (Proverbs 17:17)
[PV, 2003]
posted by CS at 3:16 PM
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