The curse of serving two masters

3 years ago, the church i was serving in suffered a leadership crisis...the senior pastor resigned and many people left, hurt and disillusioned. For some inexplicable reason, i became obsessed with the character of Jonathan in the Bible.

If you study him you'll discover that he really was a fine individual. (1 & 2 Samuel)

He was the firstborn to King Saul and heir apparent to the throne. He was a valiant warrior fearless in the face of danger and all his men regarded him a champion. One time, he tasted some honey not knowing that his father had rashly forbidden the men to eat. When he was found out and sentenced to die, his men spoke up for him and rescued him from certain death. History records how he attacked a Philistine outpost with only his armour bearer for backup. His faith in God was echoed in his words, "Nothing can hinder the Lord from saving, whether by many or by few" (ISam 14:6).

When it became clear that David was going to be Israel's next king, Jonathan simply submitted to God's plan and loved David as his own. But he was also a filial son and continued to serve his father although he knew God had removed the kingdom from him. This conflict of loyalties did not distort his objectivity and ability to discern between right and wrong. When David told him of Saul's plot to kill him, he chose the role of peacemaker. But Saul's promise to relent did not last. Only when Jonathan witnessed for himself his father's madness, did he finally believe Saul was intent on murdering his rival.

He was a man who truly loved God's people. He didn't believe in ousting his father but patiently waited for God's timing. He always believed David would one day be king and that he would become David's second in command.

While he refused to be an accomplice to his father's wicked plan, he still fought alongside him in the war against the Philistines. It was one such battle against the Philistines that took the lives of Saul and his sons including Jonathan. A tragic end for a noble soul. King David grieved for his friend whom he loved as a brother and wrote a moving eulogy for him.

Here was the difficulty.

Jonathan committed no crime yet he died in defeat, his body shamelessly displayed on enemy walls as a trophy of war.

How could God allow Jonathan to become a casualty?

How could almighty God who judged between the wicked and righteous allow such a travesty of justice?

But the confusion melted away when God spoke these words to me 3 years later.

You are Jonathan. And you too will die if you continue to serve the House of David while still being loyal to Saul.

Could this be you too?

Listen.

You don't get extra brownie points for serving a religious system that has already rejected Jesus. Sadly, many precious men and women of God have become casualties because they tried to serve two masters. For some it is affecting them emotionally. For others, it has taken a toll on the physical body - breathlessness, backaches, migraines and other chronic ailments. They've consulted doctors and counselors for a cure. But they can't see a way out of their predicament because the system is paying their salary.

In Matthew 6, Jesus says -
24"No one can serve two masters. Either he will hate the one and love the other, or he will be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve both God and Money.
25"Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or drink; or about your body, what you will wear. Is not life more important than food, and the body more important than clothes?

Come away even if it means you have to live without the comforts and conveniences you are accustomed to. If you can hear His voice calling you to join David in the wilderness but you're choosing to remain in Saul's palace, please please reconsider! The cost of compromise is too high. There is only one Master worthy of our love and devotion - The Lord Jesus Christ.

Who do you pledge allegiance to?

Who is your Master?