Press the arrow to watch a combination of Michael W. Smith’s classic lyrics on friendship as well as the epic friendship of Frodo and Sam from “Lord of the Rings”.

Scripture
“Let’s go across to the outpost of those pagans,” Jonathan said to his armor bearer. “Perhaps the Lord will help us, for nothing can hinder the Lord. He can win a battle whether he has many warriors or only a few!”

“Do what you think is best,” the armor bearer replied. “I’m with you completely, whatever you decide.” 1 Samuel 14:6-7

Observation
I was listening to a commentator on the movie “Lord of the Rings”. The movie, he explained, is not about Frodo but about Sam, because the loyalty of the faithful friend enabled Frodo to succeed. The world needs more like Sam and Jonathan.

What made Jonathan such a good friend? As I reflect on the friendship with David, it was Jonathan who was the deeper friend who deepened David. Jonathan first offered is royal armor to David and pledged friendship at the start and then at the end of their days together and it was David who wept more than Jonathan when they parted. Jonathan was more than just a friend, he taught isolated people their need of having friendship.

What made Jonathan such a good friend was his indifference toward the insignificance of others and his significance as crown prince. In comrades, Jonathan did not look for blue blood, but hot blood. He searched for friends with get-up-and-go, love of country and fear of God. Jonathan was a man of the cause and he loved those who loved the cause of Israel. It didn’t matter to him if that person were a servant or a shepherd, for he did not care about who a person was as much as what that person believed.

Not only was Jonathan indifferent to the importance of others; he was also blasé about his own importance. He was quite happy to be the leader with his armor bearer and spearhead the charge up the hill. Jonathan was also just as happy to later lay down down all of his royal regalia on his first meeting of David and to give everything to him to become the future king.

Jonathan was indifferent about importance of others; he looked for lovers of the cause.
Jonathan was indifferent about his own importance; he could lay down everything for the sake of one friend.
Jonathan is always introduced with a best friend because he was the best friend anyone could hope for.

Jonathan’s name means “Yaweh has given” or simply, “God’s gift.” The young prince never strayed far from the meaning of his name, for he was a gift of God to others.

Application
Looking for lovers of the cause and then selflessly loving the cause of others, this is the formula for outstanding friendship. The world needs more Jonathans if there are to be more King Davids. I want to be a Jonathan.

Prayer
Father, I’ve had some in life who have been this to me; help me to be so to others. Help me to recognize Jonathan’s when I meet them and hang on to them. Amen.