Mephibosheth and Mercy

“But because of his great love for us, God, who is rich in mercy, made us alive with Christ even when we were dead in transgressions—it is by grace you have been saved.” (Ephesians 4:4-6 NIV)

Once upon a time there was a little boy whose father was a dearly beloved friend of a man who was hunted by the king. The men had sworn allegiance to each other out of brotherly love, but the first man and his father the king were killed in battle. Because of God’s anointing, the other man became the new king. In those days, when a crown passed out of one family, all remaining members of that family would have likely been executed. In this case, the little boy had been protected and cared for – and not murdered – but, in the process of his protection, his legs were injured and he could not walk.

One day the new king – the blood-brother of the boy’s father – remembered his promises. He asked if there was anyone of that family still alive so he could show kindness to them for the sake of his dead friend. He was told the son, now a grown man, was living nearby with his own young son. The king sent his guard to collect the crippled man and bring him to the palace. If I was the grandson of a dead and replaced king, hiding out and hoping the new king didn’t remember me, I would likely be terrified when the king’s messengers arrived on my doorstep. A king’s orders were obeyed, so Mephibosheth went to the palace.

Pause a moment and ponder the feelings he would have had at that moment. Fear? Dread? Relief that whatever was going to happen is almost upon him? I wonder.

I wonder what the woman at the well felt when a man who could tell her everything she had ever done still looked at her with kindness.

I wonder what the thief on the cross felt when Jesus announced he would be with him in Paradise that night.

I wonder what Peter felt in the Upper Room when Jesus extended love and grace to this bull-in-a-china-shop disciple who had been a deserter in Jesus’s hour of greatest need.

I wonder what Paul thought about in the days of blindness after his encounter with the Lord. How do you process the reality that you had been persecuting and killing those who believed in Jesus – and now you are one of those Believers?

Sometimes God’s grace – God’s mercy – God’s lovingkindness – God’s hesed – is a lot to wrap yourself around.

The woman became a forgiven and joy-filled follower. The thief entered into Paradise. Peter and Paul knew grace, love, and mercy in such a way that they spread Good News all over the world.

I wonder if Mephibosheth entered in David’s presence dreading what would happen. When David offered greetings, Mephibosheth bowed low and replied, “I am your servant.” I expect he was apprehensive, at best, and potentially terrified. What would happen to his own family – his own young son – if David decreed death?

Don’t read the next lines too quickly. Read them slowly and allow the enormity of God’s grace and mercy to wash over you. David said these lines to Mephibosheth, but Jesus invites you and me, too.

“Don’t be afraid! I intend to show kindness to you because of my promises to you and your family. I will give you all the blessings I want to, and you will eat here with me at the king’s table!”

We are invited to our King’s table to experience all the blessings he has for us because of his kindness and his promises. “But because of his great love for us, God, who is rich in mercy, made us alive with Christ even when we were dead in transgressions—it is by grace you have been saved.” (Ephesians 4:4-6 NIV)

Today, I invite you to hear this invitation: Come, you who are weary and heavy laden. Come, you who are confused, tormented, sick in any way, stubborn, tossed-and-turned. Come, you who are arrogant, prideful, full of the world’s “wisdom.” Come, you who are not worthy. Come to his mercy. Come to his grace. Come to his hope, his peace. Come to the table of the Lord Jesus Christ. His promises are fully available to you. His blessings are fully waiting for you. His kindness and compassion are for you. He is for you. Come.

“Come to the table He’s prepared for you

The bread of forgiveness, the wine of release

Come to the table and sit down beside Him

The Savior wants you to join in the feast

Come to the table and see in His eyes

The love that the Father has spoken

And know you are welcome, whatever your crime

For every commandment you’ve broken

For He’s come to love you and not to condemn

And He offers a pardon of peace

If you’ll come to the table, you’ll feel in your heart

The greatest forgiveness, the greatest release”

– from “Come to the Table” by Michael Card

Good and Gracious God,

Like Mephibosheth, today we ask that you will help us to run willingly and with abandon to your hesed, your love, mercy, healing, and hope. No matter what is in our past or what might be our present struggles, help us to come to your spiritual table to feast with you. Help us to embrace your blessings, your promises, and the gift of grace you offer us. We ask in the mighty name of Jesus, Amen.

David’s Kindness to Mephibosheth

One day David asked, “Is anyone in Saul’s family still alive—anyone to whom I can show kindness for Jonathan’s sake?” He summoned a man named Ziba, who had been one of Saul’s servants. “Are you Ziba?” the king asked. “Yes sir, I am,” Ziba replied. The king then asked him, “Is anyone still alive from Saul’s family? If so, I want to show God’s kindness to them.” Ziba replied, “Yes, one of Jonathan’s sons is still alive. He is crippled in both feet.”

“Where is he?” the king asked. “In Lo-debar,” Ziba told him, “at the home of Makir son of Ammiel.” So David sent for him and brought him from Makir’s home. His name was Mephibosheth; he was Jonathan’s son and Saul’s grandson. When he came to David, he bowed low to the ground in deep respect. David said, “Greetings, Mephibosheth.” Mephibosheth replied, “I am your servant.”

 “Don’t be afraid!” David said. “I intend to show kindness to you because of my promise to your father, Jonathan. I will give you all the property that once belonged to your grandfather Saul, and you will eat here with me at the king’s table!” Mephibosheth bowed respectfully and exclaimed, “Who is your servant, that you should show such kindness to a dead dog like me?” Then the king summoned Saul’s servant Ziba and said, “I have given your master’s grandson everything that belonged to Saul and his family. You and your sons and servants are to farm the land for him to produce food for your master’s household. But Mephibosheth, your master’s grandson, will eat here at my table.” (Ziba had fifteen sons and twenty servants.)

 Ziba replied, “Yes, my lord the king; I am your servant, and I will do all that you have commanded.” And from that time on, Mephibosheth ate regularly at David’s table, like one of the king’s own sons. Mephibosheth had a young son named Mica. From then on, all the members of Ziba’s household were Mephibosheth’s servants. And Mephibosheth, who was crippled in both feet, lived in Jerusalem and ate regularly at the king’s table. (2 Samuel 9:1-13 NLT)