We know what real love is because Jesus gave up his life for us.
So we also ought to give up our lives for our brothers and sisters.
If someone has enough money to live well and sees a brother or sister in need
but shows no compassion—how can God’s love be in that person?
Dear children, let’s not merely say that we love each other; let us show the truth by our actions.
1 John 3:16-18

Love is more than just a warm feeling.  Love does.  Loves does many things!  As I’ve said before, “Love says ‘yes!’ even when faced with impossibilities.”  David and Jonathan had a love for each other. Jonathan was David’s friend.  He had sworn his allegiance to David and loyally honored it, because love is faithful.

Saul now urged his servants and his son Jonathan to assassinate David.
But Jonathan, because of his strong affection for David,
told him what his father was planning.
“Tomorrow morning,” he warned him, “you must find a hiding place out in the fields.”
1 Samuel 19:1-2

The king of Israel—his father, Saul—commanded Jonathan to kill David.  At one point Saul reminds Jonathan that as long as David is alive Jonathan will never be made king.  Jonathan put his own fame and claim to the throne, as well as royalty and prosperous family life on the line to honor God and his friend.  Jonathan by birthright had right to the throne, not David the shepherd.  But his love reflected in his actions and, thus, Jonathan helped David on many occasions.

Everything he had he was willing to give up for his friend.  Love does that. Jonathan sided with what was right, because love can conquer all evil. This one human relationship shows that not only Jesus can love in the same way that God loves. We can. God’s love is possible!

* ~ ♥ ~ ✞ ~ ♥ ~ *

Lord, help us to love the way You do.  Not just in our minds, not just in our dreams, not just in our hearts, but in our actions.  Help love to conquer any fear or obstacles that would hinder us from loving the way You love.  And show us those people whom You would put in our path for us to love specifically because of their need for Your love. Amen.