2 Sam 1 - Warrior Culture

After hearing of Saul and Jonathan’s death, David took up a lament and ordered that the men of Judah be taught the lament as well. Here is a significant part of it: “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.” – 2 Samuel 1:26

David was real. He was authentic and vulnerable (in a good way). So much so that because of his words, some argue David and Jonathan had a homosexual relationship. I think that’s a pretty big stretch and unfounded, but one thing for sure is that they had a special relationship.

What I see is two men who have fought through Hell together. They have the bond of Warrior Culture. It is something that cannot be explained. But it is irreplaceable and cannot be substituted for. It is only experienced in the purest form of a journey together.

The gift of Christ is to be given the right to be called a child of God. With it come many benefits. One is a brotherhood and community that many of us never allow ourselves to fully experience.

I’m struck today by the curtains that exist in our lives. We are so full of insecurity, skepticism, and fear that we fail to be vulnerable with one another and thus lack authenticity in many of our relationships. When this happens, biblical community is hurt. It falls short. With vulnerability comes the fullness that Christ hopes for in His church.

I’ve always felt the Church works best in crisis. When we have to work and fight together. See any moment along the way which reflects crisis, and you will see people working together in ways they never have before. Whether it’s in sharing pain through the death of a loved one, rallying together to help strangers during a hurricane, or going to battle against an enemy probably greater than any of us individually… we see the church rising. It’s in our moments of selfishness and greed that we settle into complacency and lose our passion for one another. I’m starting to see clearly how much it’s really not about the task we accomplish and more about the journey of how we attack it together.

If we saw the battle ground around us, if we recognized the crisis, we would understand that we are in a Warrior Culture as well. We would see and experience the fullness of relationship and community. We would be more vulnerable with one another and we would value honesty above most other things. We would cherish each other and would trust one another. Corporately our concern would grow, our hearts would soften, and our lives would be transformed.

When I think about the church, I bet that was the original plan.