Lead with Love
In a world that often glorifies power, success, and self-promotion, we are called to a radically different approach: leading with love. This profound concept challenges us to reexamine our priorities and actions, inviting us to embrace a leadership style that is rooted in selflessness and sacrifice.
The story of Jonathan, son of King Saul, provides a compelling illustration of what it means to lead with love. As the heir apparent to the throne of Israel, Jonathan had every reason to cling to his position and power. Instead, he chose a path of surrender and sacrifice that would change the course of history.
We first encounter Jonathan as a bold and courageous warrior. In a daring move, he and his armor-bearer alone challenge a Philistine outpost, trusting that "nothing can hinder the Lord from saving, whether by many or by few." This act of faith results in a miraculous victory, establishing Jonathan as a respected military leader.
However, it's Jonathan's response to David's sudden rise to prominence that truly reveals his character. After David's defeat of Goliath, we witness a remarkable scene:
"Jonathan became one in spirit with David, and he loved him as himself. Jonathan made a covenant with David because he loved him as himself. Jonathan took off the robe he was wearing and gave it to David, along with his tunic, and even his sword, his bow and his belt."
This act of giving away his royal garments and weapons was deeply symbolic. Jonathan was essentially surrendering his claim to the throne, recognizing God's choice of David as the future king. This brings us to the first key principle: Love requires surrender.
Leading with love means being willing to give up our own rights, positions, and privileges for the good of others. It's about recognizing that our own desires and ambitions are secondary to God's plan and the wellbeing of those around us. Jonathan's surrender wasn't just a momentary impulse; it was a lifelong commitment to support and protect David, even at great personal cost.
This leads us to the second principle: Love requires sacrifice. As King Saul's jealousy and hatred toward David grew, Jonathan found himself in an increasingly precarious position. He risked his own life to warn David of his father's murderous intentions, saying:
"I swear by the Lord, the God of Israel, that I will surely sound out my father by this time the day after tomorrow. If he is favorably disposed toward you, will I not send you word and let you know? But if my father intends to harm you, may the Lord deal with Jonathan, be it ever so severely, if I do not let you know and send you away in peace."
Jonathan's willingness to sacrifice his own safety and relationship with his father demonstrates the depth of his love for David. He recognized that protecting God's anointed was more important than preserving his own position or pleasing his father.
In our own lives, leading with love may require sacrificing our comfort, reputation, or personal gain. It might mean standing up for someone who is marginalized or despised, even if it costs us socially or professionally. It could involve giving up our time, resources, or ambitions to serve others and further God's kingdom.
The ultimate example of sacrificial love, of course, is found in Jesus Christ. As the Apostle Paul writes in Philippians 2:5-8:
"In your relationships with one another, have the same mindset as Christ Jesus: Who, being in very nature God, did not consider equality with God something to be used to his own advantage; rather, he made himself nothing by taking the very nature of a servant, being made in human likeness. And being found in appearance as a man, he humbled himself by becoming obedient to death— even death on a cross!"
Jesus, the true heir to the throne of heaven, surrendered his divine privileges and sacrificed everything out of love for humanity. His example sets the standard for how we are to love and lead others.
But how do we cultivate this kind of selfless, sacrificial love in our own lives? The answer lies not in striving harder or gritting our teeth, but in recognizing and responding to the love that God has already shown us. Jonathan's actions were rooted in his understanding of "the Lord's unfailing kindness." Similarly, our ability to love others sacrificially flows from our experience of God's love for us.
As we meditate on the depth of Christ's love – a love that led him to leave the glories of heaven, endure the limitations and sufferings of human existence, and ultimately die on the cross for our sake – we are transformed. The Holy Spirit works within us, gradually changing our hearts and empowering us to love in ways that we never could on our own.
Leading with love is not easy. It goes against our natural inclinations towards self-preservation and self-promotion. It requires a daily dying to self and a constant reliance on God's grace. But it is also the path to true fulfillment and lasting impact.
As we embrace this countercultural way of leadership – one marked by surrender and sacrifice – we become living testimonies to the transformative power of God's love. We create spaces where others can experience grace, healing, and belonging. We participate in God's work of reconciliation and renewal in the world.
So let us ask ourselves: Where is God calling me to surrender my rights or privileges for the sake of others? How can I sacrificially love those around me, even when it's costly or uncomfortable? As we wrestle with these questions and seek to embody Christ's love, may we find the courage and strength to truly lead with love.
The story of Jonathan, son of King Saul, provides a compelling illustration of what it means to lead with love. As the heir apparent to the throne of Israel, Jonathan had every reason to cling to his position and power. Instead, he chose a path of surrender and sacrifice that would change the course of history.
We first encounter Jonathan as a bold and courageous warrior. In a daring move, he and his armor-bearer alone challenge a Philistine outpost, trusting that "nothing can hinder the Lord from saving, whether by many or by few." This act of faith results in a miraculous victory, establishing Jonathan as a respected military leader.
However, it's Jonathan's response to David's sudden rise to prominence that truly reveals his character. After David's defeat of Goliath, we witness a remarkable scene:
"Jonathan became one in spirit with David, and he loved him as himself. Jonathan made a covenant with David because he loved him as himself. Jonathan took off the robe he was wearing and gave it to David, along with his tunic, and even his sword, his bow and his belt."
This act of giving away his royal garments and weapons was deeply symbolic. Jonathan was essentially surrendering his claim to the throne, recognizing God's choice of David as the future king. This brings us to the first key principle: Love requires surrender.
Leading with love means being willing to give up our own rights, positions, and privileges for the good of others. It's about recognizing that our own desires and ambitions are secondary to God's plan and the wellbeing of those around us. Jonathan's surrender wasn't just a momentary impulse; it was a lifelong commitment to support and protect David, even at great personal cost.
This leads us to the second principle: Love requires sacrifice. As King Saul's jealousy and hatred toward David grew, Jonathan found himself in an increasingly precarious position. He risked his own life to warn David of his father's murderous intentions, saying:
"I swear by the Lord, the God of Israel, that I will surely sound out my father by this time the day after tomorrow. If he is favorably disposed toward you, will I not send you word and let you know? But if my father intends to harm you, may the Lord deal with Jonathan, be it ever so severely, if I do not let you know and send you away in peace."
Jonathan's willingness to sacrifice his own safety and relationship with his father demonstrates the depth of his love for David. He recognized that protecting God's anointed was more important than preserving his own position or pleasing his father.
In our own lives, leading with love may require sacrificing our comfort, reputation, or personal gain. It might mean standing up for someone who is marginalized or despised, even if it costs us socially or professionally. It could involve giving up our time, resources, or ambitions to serve others and further God's kingdom.
The ultimate example of sacrificial love, of course, is found in Jesus Christ. As the Apostle Paul writes in Philippians 2:5-8:
"In your relationships with one another, have the same mindset as Christ Jesus: Who, being in very nature God, did not consider equality with God something to be used to his own advantage; rather, he made himself nothing by taking the very nature of a servant, being made in human likeness. And being found in appearance as a man, he humbled himself by becoming obedient to death— even death on a cross!"
Jesus, the true heir to the throne of heaven, surrendered his divine privileges and sacrificed everything out of love for humanity. His example sets the standard for how we are to love and lead others.
But how do we cultivate this kind of selfless, sacrificial love in our own lives? The answer lies not in striving harder or gritting our teeth, but in recognizing and responding to the love that God has already shown us. Jonathan's actions were rooted in his understanding of "the Lord's unfailing kindness." Similarly, our ability to love others sacrificially flows from our experience of God's love for us.
As we meditate on the depth of Christ's love – a love that led him to leave the glories of heaven, endure the limitations and sufferings of human existence, and ultimately die on the cross for our sake – we are transformed. The Holy Spirit works within us, gradually changing our hearts and empowering us to love in ways that we never could on our own.
Leading with love is not easy. It goes against our natural inclinations towards self-preservation and self-promotion. It requires a daily dying to self and a constant reliance on God's grace. But it is also the path to true fulfillment and lasting impact.
As we embrace this countercultural way of leadership – one marked by surrender and sacrifice – we become living testimonies to the transformative power of God's love. We create spaces where others can experience grace, healing, and belonging. We participate in God's work of reconciliation and renewal in the world.
So let us ask ourselves: Where is God calling me to surrender my rights or privileges for the sake of others? How can I sacrificially love those around me, even when it's costly or uncomfortable? As we wrestle with these questions and seek to embody Christ's love, may we find the courage and strength to truly lead with love.