In Praise of Selfless Sacrifice

One of the noblest characters in scripture is Saul’s son Jonathan. He is an example of the spirit of self-sacrifice that we honor on Memorial Day.

A brave soldier.

The story of Jonathan attacking the Philistine encampment in 1 Samuel 14 is Medal of Honor type bravery. It demonstrates not only his selflessness but more importantly his confidence in God and the righteousness of his cause. Soldiers (and sailors and marines) are willing to fight and die if necessary, but they want to be confident in the righteousness and worthiness of the cause.

Fights his way out of other people’s messes.

Soldiers often find themselves fighting out of other people’s messes. The last years of Jonathan’s life were lived in the shadow of his father’s sin. Jonathan understood that and seemed to accept it. He was not driven by anger, angst, or regret, but rather by the immediate needs of those around him. Jonathan accepts what his father never seemed to accept, even though it meant that the kingdom could never pass to Jonathan (1 Samuel 20:30-31).

Driven by nobility and love.

Jonathan loved his father, but he also loved David and his country. One great driving motivation for Jonathan’s nobility is his devotion to David (1 Samuel 20:42). It is this determined, passionate loyalty that characterizes great military examples of bravery and sacrifice. Soldiers sign up for a cause, but in the heat of the battle, they fight for their fellow soldiers.

Willing to sacrifice himself for others.

Jonathan’s love was a self-sacrificing love. He was willing to take a second place to David (1 Samuel 23:17). Jonathan did not intend to die, but he did intend to follow David as his king. He was not driven by ego or ambition, but a desire to serve.

Allows his friend to fulfill his destiny in his own death.

I wonder if Jonathan knew that his death was likely necessary for David to become king as determined by God. It’s the type of thing that might have lurked in the back of his mind, but he would have been unwilling to speak. Jonathan died along with his father and brothers on Mount Gilboa. His final battle ended in defeat and desecration. Saul suffered the finality of punishment for his sin on Gilboa.  Jonathan’s death on Gilboa paved the way for David to ascend the throne. Given what we know about Jonathan, he would have accepted that fate willingly if he knew the result that would follow.

When David laments the death of Jonathan, he receives the greatest of all honors. He earned the love and lifetime devotion of the king and no doubt the smile of his Lord.

Jonathan is not a tragic character, he is supremely noble. His life was cut short from a human perspective, but from the perspective of eternity, it was a life invested well in what really matters. Through all eternity he will be regarded as a great hero.

This Memorial Day weekend we will honor and remember the many thousands that demonstrated the love, bravery, and sacrifice of Jonathan. None of us should feel worthy of the sacrifices of those precious young men and women. We should enjoy those freedoms with faithful stewardship and a deep sense of gratitude and stewardship.

Have a blessed Memorial Day.