February 1, 2024 7:00 pm
There’s a monument in the chapel of Christ’s College, Cambridge, dedicated to two seventeenth-century physicians, John Finch and Thomas Baines. Known as the “inseparable friends,” Finch and Baines collaborated on medical research and traveled together on diplomatic trips. When Baines died in 1680, Finch lamented their “unbroken marriage of souls” that had lasted thirty-six years. Theirs had been a friendship of affection, loyalty, and commitment.
King David and Jonathan had a friendship equally as close. They shared deep mutual affection (1 Samuel 20:41), and even made vows of commitment to each other (vv. 8–17, 42). Their friendship was marked by radical loyalty (1 Samuel 19:1; 20:13), Jonathan even sacrificing his right to the throne so David could become king (20:30–31). When Jonathan died, David lamented that Jonathan’s love to him had been “more wonderful than that of women” (2 Samuel 1:26).
We may feel uncomfortable today likening friendship to marriage, but maybe friendships like Finch and Baines’ and David and Jonathan’s can help our own reach greater depth. Jesus welcomed His friends to lean against Him (John 13:23–25), and the affection, loyalty, and commitment He shows us can be the basis of the deep friendships we build together.
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Welcome to today's encouragement from Our Daily Bread. I'm Sheridan Voisey and I've called our reading today, Deep Friendship in Christ. There's a monument in the chapel of Christ's College, Cambridge, England, dedicated to two 17th century physicians, John Finch and Thomas Baines. Known as the Inseparable Friends, Finch and Baines collaborated on medical research and travelled together on diplomatic trips.
When Baines died in 1680, Finch lamented their unbroken marriage of souls that had lasted 36 years. Theirs had been a friendship of affection, loyalty and commitment. King David and Jonathan had a friendship equally as close. They shared deep mutual affection and even made vows of commitment to each other. Their friendship was marked by radical loyalty, Jonathan even sacrificing his right to the throne so David could become king. When Jonathan died, David lamented that Jonathan's love to him had been more wonderful than that of women. We may feel uncomfortable today likening friendship to marriage, but maybe friendships like Finch and Baines and David and Jonathan's can help our own friendships reach greater depth.
Jesus welcomed his friends to lean against him and the affection, loyalty and commitment he shows us can be the basis of the deep friendships we build together. Today's scripture reading is from 2 Samuel chapter 1 verses 23 to 27. Saul and Jonathan, in life they were loved and admired, and in death they were not parted.
They were swifter than eagles, they were stronger than lions. Daughters of Israel, weep for Saul, who clothed you in scarlet and finery, who adorned your garments with ornaments of gold. How the mighty have fallen in battle, Jonathan lies slain on your heights. I grieve for you Jonathan my brother, you were very dear to me. Your love for me was wonderful, more wonderful than that of women.
How the mighty have fallen, the weapons of war have perished. Let's pray together. Lord, would you give us a vision of friendship that is as deep and rich as Finch and Baines and David and Jonathan's? Would you empower us by your Spirit to be people of affection and loyalty and commitment? Would you help us to forge deeper and more intimate friendships? We pray this in Jesus' name. Amen. Thanks for listening. I'm Sheridan Voisey and today's encouragement was provided by Our Daily Bread Ministries.
Whisper: medium.en / 2024-02-09 10:36:27 / 2024-02-09 10:37:54 / 1
