Friends forever

Jonathan is one character I so dearly love and admire. 

Though being the rightful heir to the throne after his father, he could have thought like his father and schemed to kill David, who was the next big thing in Israel then.

He had all the right to be jealous of the rise of David. 

He had the privilege of betraying David, taking advantage of their friendship. 

Once David is out of the picture, he would definitely become the next king. 

Yet it is said of him, "Jonathan loved David as he loved himself"

No jealousy, no self centredness. Pure genuine friend - friend love. 

Is he not an example of "love your neighbour as yourself" as advocated by Jesus Himself? No selfish motive. Always pointing to the good of the other, even denying your own self, compromising on your comforts. 

Today, it's kind of difficult to find such friendship. Everyone loves his friends for their own good. At least they wouldn't dare to go that extra mile compromising on their comfort zones to be there for their friend. I'm not saying it's not there. But it's a rarity. 

I realize it is impossible to create in myself such love. God has to instill that into me. Otherwise my love is marred with self centredness and selfishness. I could never love like Jonathan, unless God let's His love overflow in me. His love, He depicted on the cross was the epitome of selfless love, not thinking of Him at all. He was mindful of me. 

Let me be filled and overflown with that love, so that my dear ones would experience that selfless love.