Brotherly Love: A Rare Virtue.

“And as soon as the lad was gone, David arose out of a place toward the south, and fell on his face to the ground, and bowed himself three times: and they kissed one another, and wept one with another, until David exceeded” (1 Samuel 20:41).

READ 1 SAMUEL 20:35-42

Thomas S. Steward injured one of his eyes with a knife. A specialist decided that it should be removed to save the other. When the operation was over, it was discovered that the surgeon had committed a blunder by removing the good eye, thus rendering the young man totally blind.

Notwithstanding, he took to pursue his studies in law at McGill. He was able to do this with the aid of his brother, William Steward, who read to him and accompanied him through all stages of college life. The blind brother came out at the head of his class, while his brother was second, the latter practically making himself a seeing medium for his blind brother.

Here is seen the love of Jesus. With no condition He sacrifices His life for us. What Christ has done He wants us to do as His followers. "Let brotherly love continue." Heb. 13 : 1

The Bible enjoins us to love one another (1 John 15:17). Jonathan was a shining example of brotherly love. Sometimes he was forced to deal with conflicting loyalties to his father Saul and his friend David. Jonathan chose loyalty to his friend over his father out of deep love.

The cure for all ills is love. It is the divine vitality that produces and restores life everywhere. The scripture says: ”Beloved, let us love one another: for love is of God; and everyone that loveth is born of God, and knoweth God” (1 John 4:7).

Instead of allowing ourselves to be unhappy, let us allow our love to grow as God wants it to; love the brethren more sacrificially and do good always without expecting anything in return. As Christ has set the example for us.

We cannot tell the measure of our love until we know how much willingness we endure and suffer for others. It is the suffering component that measures our love.

Great characters are patient and strong to endure for others and willing to be their brother’s keeper. Love does not die easily: it thrives in the face of all hazards. ”If we love one another, God dwelleth in us, and his love is perfected in us” (1 John 4:12, 1 Cor. 13).

Pains of love are sweeter than any other pleasure. It brings great satisfactions at the end with a sense of accomplishment.