Influence (4)—Jonathan - All The LORD is near Daily Devotionals for 2024

Jonathan said to the young man who bore 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 restrains the Lord from saving by many or by few." So his armorbearer said to him, "Do all that is in your heart. Go then; here I am with you, according to your heart."
1 Samuel 14:6-7 NKJV

Influence (4)—Jonathan
If I am drawn by grace to follow the Lord Jesus more closely, with more affection and more energy, it may influence another to more energy and exercise in divine things, and we could then go on together in common affection for the Lord. In Jonathan's great victory over the Philistines at Michmash his own energetic faith inspired his armorbearer to courageous deeds of arms. He was happy to support his leader, and said, "Do all that is in your heart." Their mighty triumph drew the whole army of Israel after them and a great victory was won, marred only by the folly of Saul. But even this was not allowed to tarnish the luster of this brave deed by a man of faith, assisted by a less outstanding soldier who was influenced, nevertheless, to heroic action by his master. He was drawn after Jonathan, and many ran with him to triumph over the foe.

On the day of Pentecost, Peter, whose influence had earlier drawn away after him six of the Lord's disciples (Jn. 21:1:3), drew a large haul of souls to the Lord Jesus in his efficient net. He had been powerfully drawn to the risen, living Lord, and he was enabled to draw others after him to the same risen Christ.

Paul also used his influence in a similar way. There were leaders in Corinth who influenced the saints to follow them. This was divisive and dangerous. But Paul wrote to the Corinthians, "Imitate me, just as I also imitate Christ" (1 Cor. 11:1). His spiritual influence drew others with him after his Lord.

-- John Barnes