Even More Received

We have already seen how Jonathan became one in spirit with David, and how he loved him as himself. This brought us to some very individual and personal moments. Like me, many of you reached some uncomfortable depths in your very being when, whether you closed your eyes, tried to shut your ears or even made desperate attempts to run and hide, you could not escape the fact of our Lord’s piercing covenant Love for you. Jesus became one in flesh with you, and gave His life for you. Can you now say, will you now say, as you give up all self, throw in the towel of sin, drop to your penitent knees and cry out, with the hymn writer.

I’m tired of sin and struggling Lord,

Now I’m coming home,

I’ll trust Thy love, believe Thy Word,

Lord I’m coming home.

Trust Jesus’ Covenant Love for you. Believe Jesus’ Covenant Word to you.

In returning to this Bible Text we note more things which Jonathan gave to David. Jonathan and David made a covenant, because he loved him as his own soul. And Jonathan took off the robe that was on him and gave it to David, with his armor, even his sword, and his bow and his belt. 1 Samuel 18: 3 – 4.

Jonathan also gave David his bow. I can well imagine that the bow was the weapon for distance. What I mean is this. When an enemy was spotted, fast approaching, the bow would be pulled out and an arrow sent flying at the air, to get the foe, deter that enemy, or bring him down. Do you see how the weapons given by Jonathan, were for enemies in the distance also?

Look! Has not Jesus given you that which is a long-distance weapon also, that which will be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked one? Faith has been given to you, and by faith you will quench each swift-flying, fiery dart of the deceiver. From the time each poisonous, evil, fiery dart is launched at you, faith takes flight, so that it does not come near you to take you down. Each is disarmed, burnt out, before it does you any harm. By faith and with faith, no fierce, deadly, poisonous arrow of evil fire, will ever touch you. With faith, your short-distance and long-distance weapon, with your bow, your God-given faith, you shall not be afraid of the terror by night, nor the arrow that flies by day. Psalm 91: 5   

Jonathan gives his belt to David. The belt is not a weapon, but it holds the soldier’s weapons safely, steadily and securely to the body. From the literature, I’m told that the belt of a Roman soldier was used to support the sword, the breastplate and other necessary war paraphernalia. The belt was always worn by the soldier, whether or not the other pieces of armour were worn that day.

Very wisely also, Jesus has given you His belt, not just a belt, but His belt. It is that which causes you to stand firm in any battle. The belt is your strengthener, sustainer, stronghold and unyielding support. It is with this belt that you can be sure to stand firm and not be shaken down, by fear and dread. Stand firm then, with the belt of truth buckled around your waist. Ephesians 6: 14a. Jesus is your belt of truth, for He is Truth.

In being reminded of this love covenant between Jonathan, the royal one, and David, the ordinary one, we have been brought face to face with our selves. We have been vividly and personally reminded, each of us, of his or her covenant of love, with Jesus. Jesus gave you Himself and in doing so, He who is Royalty gave up Himself and became as one ordinary. 

Now we go even deeper, as we mount even higher, when we are made to see much clearer by trusting God’s Love and believing His Word. Note how that relationship of brotherly love between Jonathan and David, changed into one of a covenant relationship, in spirit. Jonathan’s love at first was brotherly love, but it changed and became one in spirit. Is this not so with you and Jesus, in that there has been unedited change?

When Jesus was sent to you, me and all humankind, He came as our Brother.  In Hebrews 2: 11 NIV, we read this. Both the one who makes people holy and those who are made holy are of the same family. So Jesus is not ashamed to call them brothers and sisters. Jesus is your Brother. He came as we are, in frail, weak, human flesh. Joyfully note, how our relationship with Jesus changed in that, yes, He is our Brother in the flesh, but with a most beautiful, precious and singularly intimate covenant, Jesus is your Spiritual Brother and mine. He is your Spiritual Brother to do for you, what your Brother in the Flesh, could not, and cannot do for you.

We know that Jesus, God Incarnate, came as a human being for He was fully human. And being found in appearance as a man, He humbled Himself and became obedient to the point of death, even the death of the cross. Philippians 2: 8. God cannot die and since Jesus, who is God in flesh, died, then we know that it was our human Brother who died, the God Man, the Son of Man, who died on that cross, when He paid the price of our sins. Much more then, having now been justified by His blood, we shall be saved from wrath through Him. Romans 5: 9. We are saved, are being saved and will be saved from wrath, by Jesus’ life, His Risen and Ascended Life. We have life in Jesus' Life, He who is now with us in Spirit.

We conclude tomorrow in hope and victory.