1 Samuel 18:4
“And Jonathan stripped himself of the robe that was upon him, and gave it to David, and his garments, even to his sword, and to his bow, and to his girdle.”
A powerful story is found in the friendship between David and Jonathan. The verse above shows the power of this friendship when “Jonathan stripped himself of the robe that was upon him, and gave it to David.” Jonathan knew very well that those robes were the robes of a future king. When he stripped himself of this clothing, he was literally giving up his future for his friend.
This story could cause me to write about the power of friendship, the value of loyalty, or the power of a promise. However, I see something greater represented in this story that is more powerful than these truths. What I see in this story is the picture of what salvation does for the believer. Please let me explain.
Jonathan stripped himself of his robes so that he could give them to David. Likewise, Jesus stripped Himself of His robes to take on the fashion of a man. He left the pleasures of Heaven to take on the robes of flesh for one reason: YOU. Only one thing could ever cause Jesus to do this, and that is His love for mankind.
Jonathan didn’t just strip himself of his robes, but He gave them to David. My friend, this is a great picture of salvation. Jesus stripped himself of His robes so that He could clothe you in His righteousness. He didn’t have to do this, but He did it because He loves you. It is not of your righteousness that you are going to Heaven, but it is because of Jesus’ righteousness that you have the opportunity to be saved.
Jonathan also gave David his sword, just like God gave you His Word so that you can grow in grace. The Word of God is a sword that pierces “to the dividing asunder” to show you what you need to change so that you can grow in the LORD. Jesus could have just saved you, but He did more than that, He gave you His Word so that you can grow.
Jonathan also gave “to his bow,” just like Jesus gave you His promise of eternal security. The bow reminds me of the rainbow which is a picture of God’s eternal promises. When a person gets saved, God promises them eternal life. This should encourage you and take any fear away that you must do something to keep your salvation. My friend, it is not your righteousness’ that keeps you saved; it is being clothed in Jesus’ righteousness that keeps you saved.
Jonathan also stripped himself to his girdle, which is a picture of Jesus giving us His Holy Spirit power to live the Christian life. Jesus didn’t leave you on your own to live for Him, but He gave you His Holy Spirit to enable you to live that victorious Christian life.
Why did Jesus do all of this for us? The answer is found in verse 5. He saved us to serve the LORD wheresoever He sends us. “…David went out whithersoever Saul sent him…” Christian, God didn’t save you to sit and do nothing, but He saved you to serve Him. All that Christ did for you should be the motivation you need to live a holy life so that you can be a better representative of Him. Jesus is willing to clothe others with His righteousness, and you are the servant to spread this good news. Let me encourage you to let this story be the catalyst to go wherever and do whatever Christ’s asks you to do.