You Can Have Mine: Learning Sacrificial Love

Devotional

Day 1: Trading Royal Robes for Radical Love

Jonathan’s act of stripping off his royal robe and weapons wasn’t just a gesture—it was a seismic shift from entitlement to sacrificial surrender. He handed David the very symbols of his identity: kingship, power, and legacy. This wasn’t about losing status but gaining the freedom of aligning with God’s plan. True love isn’t measured by what we’re willing to discard but by what we’re bold enough to entrust. When we cling to what we think defines us, we miss the deeper joy of seeing God’s purpose unfold through surrender. [47:14]

“Jonathan made a covenant with David because he loved him as much as he loved himself. Then Jonathan removed the robe he was wearing, and he gave it to David along with his military tunic, his sword, his bow, and his belt.”
(1 Samuel 18:3–4, ESV)

Reflection: What “robe” are you clinging to—a role, a reputation, or a right—that God might be asking you to surrender? How would releasing it create space for deeper trust in His plan?

Day 2: Climbing Cliffs, Not Comparing Charts

Saul’s spear trembled with jealousy while Jonathan’s hands gripped cliffs for his people. Comparison distorts vision: Saul saw a rival where Jonathan saw a brother. Jealousy festers when we fixate on others’ victories instead of God’s faithfulness in our story. Jonathan’s climb wasn’t about outperforming David but obeying God’s call—even when it meant scaling heights alone. Trusting God’s timing silences the noise of “what if” and anchors us in “what is.” [42:37]

“Let us not become conceited, provoking one another, envying one another.”
(Galatians 5:26, ESV)

Reflection: Where has comparison dulled your joy or strained a relationship? What step can you take today to celebrate someone else’s victory without reservation?

Day 3: Emptying Hands to Embrace Heaven’s Exchange

Jesus didn’t just model sacrifice—He redefined ownership. The King of Heaven stripped Himself of glory, trading divine rights for human frailty. His “you can have mine” wasn’t a transaction but a transfusion of grace: our sin for His righteousness, our death for His life. Like Jonathan’s surrendered robe, Christ’s emptiness on the cross became the fullness of our rescue. [01:02:00]

“Have this mind among yourselves, which is yours in Christ Jesus, who, though he was in the form of God, did not count equality with God a thing to be grasped, but emptied himself, by taking the form of a servant.”
(Philippians 2:5–7, ESV)

Reflection: What privilege or comfort have you been grasping that Jesus might be inviting you to release? How does His sacrifice redefine what it means to “own” your life?

Day 4: Starving Jealousy, Feeding Gratitude

Saul’s fast of bitterness left him hollow; Jonathan’s taste of honey fueled a nation’s victory. Jealousy starves the soul, but gratitude multiplies strength. The battle isn’t against others’ success but against our own refusal to see God’s provision in the “honey” before us. Every moment spent measuring another’s portion is a moment stolen from savoring our own. [44:48]

“A tranquil heart gives life to the flesh, but envy makes the bones rot.”
(Proverbs 14:30, ESV)

Reflection: What “honey”—simple blessings or unexpected gifts—have you overlooked today? How might thanking God for them disarm your discontent?

Day 5: Bowing Knees, Not Building Thrones

Jonathan’s bent knee before David mirrored heaven’s throne room: surrender precedes true authority. We defend our tiny kingdoms—our control, our image—while Jesus offers a crown forged in surrender. Bowing to Him isn’t loss but liberation: our fragile egos exchanged for His unshakable reign. The throne we cling to crumbles; the one we yield to lasts forever. [01:05:28]

“As I live, says the Lord, every knee shall bow to me, and every tongue shall confess to God.”
(Romans 14:11, ESV)

Reflection: What throne—a need for approval, a desire for control—are you still sitting on? What would it look like to step down and kneel before Jesus today?

Sermon Summary

God calls his people to move from “this is mine” to “you can have mine.” Jonathan shows what that kind of love looks like. Jonathan is the son of Saul, the man who should have been next in line for Israel’s throne, yet Jonathan loves David as much as he loves himself.

Jonathan stands in sharp contrast to Saul. Saul hides under a pomegranate tree while Philistine armies gather nearby, but Jonathan climbs up to fight because “nothing can keep the Lord from saving by many or by few.” Jonathan has courage, wisdom, faith, and the love of the people. Jonathan has everything that might seem to qualify him for the throne.

Jonathan’s response to David is remarkable because David is the one God has chosen to be king. Jonathan does not compare himself to David and become bitter. Jonathan looks up to God, accepts the place God has given him, and finds freedom to celebrate David rather than compete with him. Saul, on the other hand, hears the songs about David’s victories and begins watching him with jealousy.

Jealousy holds its spear, but love gives away the crown. Saul takes the weapon in his hand and tries to pin David to the wall. Jonathan takes off his robe, tunic, sword, bow, and belt and gives them to David. Jonathan lays down his dreams, position, honor, and future because he recognizes God’s hand on David. Saul tries to defend his throne and loses everything. Jonathan gives up his claim and gains peace, security, and his right place before God.

Jonathan’s friendship also shows that love is not always fifty fifty. Jonathan gives far more than David gives in that season. God does not command people to make sure they are being loved enough. God commands them to love. Many people are carrying burdens because everyone around them wants something from them, while few people simply call to care for them. Jonathan’s example calls believers to step forward and become that kind of friend.

Jesus is greater than Jonathan. Christ lifted his eyes to the Father and accepted the cross, saying, “Not my will, but yours be done.” Christ emptied himself, laid aside the privileges of heaven, and laid down his life for his friends. Jesus says, “You can have mine”: his righteousness, his standing before the Father, his freedom from condemnation, and his inheritance. Christ’s sacrifice does not merely set an example. Christ’s sacrifice cleanses selfish, jealous, bitter hearts and frees them to love. Jesus is King, and every throne of pride, anger, and self-interest must be laid at his feet.

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Key Takeaways

1. Lift your eyes, stop comparing [49:43] Jealousy grows when someone else’s life becomes the measure of personal worth. Jonathan finds freedom because God’s will becomes bigger than his own claim to the throne. Thankfulness turns comparison away from what is missing and toward what God has wisely given. [49:43]
2. Love gives away the crown [54:41] Jonathan gives David the very things that represent his royal future. Saul grips his spear because jealousy always tries to protect a threatened ego. Love can lay down status, rights, time, and comfort because God remains the true keeper of every life. [54:41]
3. Friendship is not always fifty fifty [56:42] Jonathan carries more of the cost in his relationship with David, yet his love is still real and meaningful. God’s command is not to calculate whether enough has been received, but to faithfully give love. Different seasons place believers in the role of Jonathan or David, giver or receiver. [56:42]
4. Jesus gives what sinners lack [01:03:40] Christ does not simply tell selfish people to become less selfish. Christ gives his righteousness, his acceptance, and his inheritance to those who bring him their sin. His finished work breaks the condemnation and bitterness that keep hearts trapped in self-interest. [63:40]
5. Jesus deserves the throne [01:04:54] Jonathan recognizes David’s kingship and lays down his royal symbols before him. Christ calls every person to surrender the throne of personal pride, anger, and control. Freedom begins where Jesus is allowed to take his rightful place as King.

## [64:54]

Youtube Chapters

[00:00] - Welcome
[34:19] - Teens Leading Worship
[35:26] - From “Mine” to “You Can Have Mine”
[37:25] - Jonathan, David’s Faithful Friend
[38:55] - Jonathan’s Courage Against the Philistines
[43:46] - Saul’s Foolish Command and Jonathan’s Wisdom
[46:34] - Jonathan Gives David His Robe and Weapons
[49:43] - Stop Comparing and Feeding Jealousy
[53:36] - Lay Down Your Ego and Your Throne
[56:42] - Love Is Not Always Fifty Fifty
[58:05] - Be a Jonathan to Someone
[60:46] - Take Relationship Failures to Jesus
[63:40] - Jesus Says, “You Can Have Mine”
[64:54] - Jesus Is King

Bible Study Guide

Bible Reading

1 Samuel 18:1-4
“As soon as he had finished speaking to Saul, the soul of Jonathan was knit to the soul of David, and Jonathan loved him as his own soul. And Saul took him that day and would not let him return to his father's house. Then Jonathan made a covenant with David, because he loved him as his own soul. And Jonathan stripped himself of the robe that was on him and gave it to David, and his armor, and even his sword and his bow and his belt.” [46:39]

1 Samuel 14:6
“Jonathan said to the young man who carried his armor, 'Come, let us go over to the garrison of these uncircumcised. It may be that the Lord will work for us, for nothing can hinder the Lord from saving by many or by few.” [41:28]

John 15:13
“Greater love has no one than this, that someone lay down his life for his friends.” [01:02:25]

Observation questions

What actions and gifts show the depth of Jonathan’s commitment to David in 1 Samuel 18:1–4? [47:02]
What contrast does 1 Samuel 18 draw between Jonathan’s response to David and Saul’s response to David’s growing success? [47:50]
In 1 Samuel 14:6, what does Jonathan believe about the Lord’s ability to save, and how does that belief shape his decision?
What royal or military symbols does Jonathan give David, and how does Saul use the weapon in his own hand differently? [54:14]

Interpretation questions

Jonathan had ability, courage, the people’s respect, and a natural claim to the throne. Why does his friendship with David show trust in God’s plan rather than resignation or weakness? [52:33]
Saul hears people praise David and immediately fears losing the kingdom. What does Saul’s response reveal about the connection between insecurity, comparison, and jealousy? [51:15]
Jonathan’s love for David is costly and not evenly balanced in that season. What does this suggest about loving others faithfully when a relationship does not seem “fifty fifty”? [56:49]
Jesus lays down his life for his friends, but his sacrifice does more than give an example. How does Christ’s sacrifice address the selfishness, bitterness, and guilt that damage relationships? [01:02:35]

Application questions

Is there someone whose success, opportunities, relationships, or gifts regularly trigger comparison in your heart? What would it look like to thank God for what he has given that person as well as for what he has given you? [01:00:04]
What is one “crown” you may be holding tightly—recognition, control, comfort, time, a right to be heard, or a personal plan? How might laying it before Jesus change the way you respond this week? [01:04:54]
Think about your closest relationships. Where are you tempted to keep score of what you give and receive? How could you pursue love without ignoring wisdom or healthy boundaries? [57:12]
Who around you may be carrying burdens because people usually contact them only when they need something? What is one simple, specific way you could care for that person this week? [58:58]
When jealousy or bitterness rises, what thought or story do you usually tell yourself? How could you capture that thought and replace it with gratitude and trust in God? [59:52]
Where have self-interest, anger, gossip, pride, or jealousy harmed one of your relationships? How does Jesus’ offer of righteousness, forgiveness, and freedom give you a real place to repent and take a next step toward healing? [01:03:40]

Sermon Clips

39s

#SacrificialLove

“Jealousy holds his spear, but love gives away the crown. Jonathan had every right to be the next king, and I want you to think about what this cost to Jonathan. Think about it. From the time he was young, he probably had dreams about being the next king of Israel. Right? He gave up his future. He gave up his dreams. He gave up his position. He gave up his honor. He gave it all up in sacrificial love for his friend David.”

44s

#JesusGivesUsEverything

“He said, you can have my life. He said, you can have my righteousness. I'll take your sin. And because you have my righteousness, you can have my right to be called a child of God. You can now be called a child of God. And because you have that, you can have freedom from sin. I've never sinned, and I can give you freedom from sin. And because of that, you can have my standing as not guilty, never guilty before God the Father. No condemnation. And because of that, you can have my inheritance in heaven. Jesus says, can have mine.”

57s

#BowToJesus

“Jesus is king. David was king, and Jonathan recognized it, and Jonathan bowed his knee to David. Jonathan took off his robes and gave it to David. And look, you and I need to do that today. We need at... One day, every knee will bow and every tongue will confess that Jesus Christ is Lord. We have the opportunity to do that today. So I invite you, give up your pride, give up your throne, give up your ego, the throne of your life. Give that up. Give it to Jesus. Give up the right to feel however you want. Give up your right toward anger. Give up your right to all of those things, and allow Jesus to take his rightful place of authority in your life. Bow the knee to him today like Jonathan did to David.”

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