True Friendship

My father tried to kill me yesterday,†the one in royal garments said. “He wants to kill you too. You must go.â€

The other, armed with a sword, nodded. “May the Lord be between you and me.â€

Tears streamed down the faces of the two young men as they embraced. Swiftly, the warrior turned and strode away through the field as the prince returned to the palace.

• • •

Jonathan and David shared a deep friendship, although circumstances could have made them bitter enemies. What glued their friendship together?

Jonathan, the heir to the throne of Israel, was to be sovereignly usurped by a lowly shepherd boy. Yet instead of being angry with David, “he loved him as his own soul†(1 Samuel 18:3). The prince promised to protect him from Saul’s murderous plans and even risked his life for David. The sacrificial love Jonathan showed David preserved their close friendship. A true friend loves sacrificially, and Jonathan knew how to be that kind of friend.

Jesus performed the greatest act of sacrificial love when He died for us, His enemies, on the cross. The Friend of sinners faced the Father’s wrath, absorbed our punishment, and secured eternal life for us. Jesus said, “Greater love has no one than this, than to lay down one’s life for his friends†(John 15:13). John writes in his first epistle that Jesus’ death demonstrates His love for us: a genuine, sacrificial love willing to put aside everything for others (1 John 4:9-10).

We may never be asked to physically die for someone, but, in Christ, through the power of the Holy Spirit, we put to death our selfishness in order to selflessly love others. To live with a sacrificial mindset in a selfish world vibrantly testifies to the glory of the gospel. When we sacrificially love others, we demonstrate the love Jesus first showed us (1 John 4:19). • Celeste Ashley

• What are specific ways you can intentionally and sacrificially love your family and your friends?

• How can remembering what Christ has done for us encourage us to love others?

By this we know love, because He laid down His life for us. And we also ought to lay down our lives for the brethren. 1 John 3:16 (NKJV)

Read Verses:

1 Samuel 18:1-5; 20:1-42