April 27 - The Three

Read today’s texts first: 2 Samuel 2; 1 Chronicles 11; Psalms 142; Matthew 14

MAXIMize YOUR DAY
Like David’s “Mighty Men” or the motley crew
of disciples Jesus chose, often the best followers and
eventual leaders have little to offer.

As a child I loved the story of the Three Musketeers. I even had the rubber épée which I used to repeatedly stab my brother Barry until he finally broke it over his knee (bet that never happened to d’Artagnan or his three friends). As a teenager I even wrote a book report on the Dumas novel for English class (I never actually read the full novel - I scanned the Classic Comic Book version). But I love the story in today’s Bible reading even more. It’s about three warriors so brave, so cool, that they were known simply as The Three (muskets weren’t invented yet). 

The Three were Josheb-Basshebeth, Eleazar, and Shammah. Individually, they each had lengthy resumes of battlefield heroism (2 Sam. 23:8-12), but they distinguished themselves as The Three when they risked their lives as a unit for their commander-in-chief, David. After an exhausting day, David wistfully expressed longing for a drink of cool, clear water from the well just outside the gate of Bethlehem, his home town. Three of his 30 Mighty Men overheard his request, traversed the 13 miles between the caves of Adullam and Bethlehem, infiltrated behind enemy lines, and risked their lives to bring back a flask of well water to David. He was so humbled by their loyalty that he felt unworthy to drink the water. Instead he poured it out on the ground as a sacrifice to God (11:15-19).

When I first heard this story as a child, I thought, “how rude, what a waste!” I felt sorry for the three soldiers who risked life and limb for a useless puddle of water. But my Sunday School teacher opened my eyes to the honour David showed them by bringing their heroism before God. When these men first came to David, like all of David’s followers during his life on the run, they were either “distressed, in debt, or discontented” (1 Sam. 22:2). Much like the motley crew of disciples Jesus assembled, often the best followers and eventual leaders have little to offer. They seem to learn more quickly how to rely on God in everything they do. David’s Mighty Men and Christ’s disciples knew they didn’t deserve love and respect but it was given to them nonetheless! 

“Lord, I know what they felt. Those who have been forgiven much naturally want to love much (Luke 7:47). Thank You for including me among Your Mighty Men.”