“Saul and Jonathan were beloved and pleasant in their lives, and in their death they were not divided; they were swifter than eagles, they were stronger than lions. 24 “O daughters of Israel, weep over Saul, who clothed you in scarlet, with luxury; Who put ornaments of gold on your apparel. 25 “How the mighty have fallen in the midst of the battle! Jonathan was slain in your high places. 26 I am distressed for you, my brother Jonathan; you have been very pleasant to me; Your love to me was wonderful, surpassing the love of women. 27 “How the mighty have fallen, and the weapons of war perished!”” 2 Samuel 1:23-27 NKJV
Lord God, Our Father,
Here we see David really does have a heart after Your own ((1 Samuel 13:14, Acts 13:22). The person who has caused untold, trouble, stress, physical danger and a threat to life itself is not degraded in death but spoken of as beloved and pleasant. Daid does not gloat over the death of Saul he is respectful.
Today we remember the death of another King of the Jews. Jesus Christ. We do not gloat over his death and He died battling for us. We are humbled that he had to die, not just for the Jews but for us. For me. Perhaps for a good man someone would dare to die. But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us (Romans 5:7,8). There are lots of emotions today, sadness, regret He had to suffer such pain. Gratitude that we don’t had to go through the same. Amazement that He should love us so much. Realisation that like Peter we would have kept back out of the way of arrest. And today I quietly give thanks.
In Jesus name we pray, Amen.
Worship Friday 3rd April 2026
Oh, to see the dawn
Of the darkest day:
Christ on the road to Calvary.
Tried by sinful men,
Torn and beaten, then
Nailed to a cross of wood.
Oh, to see the pain
Written on Your face
Bearing the awesome weight of sin;
Every bitter thought,
Every evil deed
Crowning Your bloodstained brow.
This, the power of the cross:
Christ became sin for us,
Took the blame, bore the wrath:
We stand forgiven at the cross.
Now the daylight flees,
Now the ground beneath
Quakes as its Maker bows His head.
Curtain torn in two,
Dead are raised to life;
‘Finished!’ the victory cry.
This, the power of the cross:
Son of God, slain for us.
Took the blame, bore the wrath,
We stand forgiven at the cross.
Oh, to see my name
Written in the wounds,
For through Your suffering I am free.
Death is crushed to death,
Life is mine to live,
Won through Your selfless love.
This, the power of the cross:
Son of God, slain for us.
What a love! What a cost!
We stand forgiven at the cross.
Lyrics: Stuart Townend & Keith Getty