I am Mephibosheth!
Do you remember the story of Mephibosheth? What a name right? That is one of those Old Testament names that you hope the Sunday school teacher is not going to ask you to pronounce. We read about him in 2 Samuel 9. It is a quick story that is easily pass over, but my friend there is so much there. Ok, background; before David became king of Israel, Israel's then reigning king was a man named Saul. Saul spent over a decade trying to kill David due to jealousy and the fact that the favor and anointing of God had left King Saul. Even while King Saul was on the throne, David had been anointed to be the next king of Israel. Needless to say a little tension between the two.
King Saul had a son named Jonathan and Jonathan had a son named Mephibosheth, so King Saul’s grandson. At the death of a reigning king it was tradition for all the family members of the previous king to be put to death. This would hopefully eliminate a bitter descendent rising up to kill you. At the death of both Saul and Jonathan, David became king. As David sat upon his throne he asked an intriguing question; "are there any descendants of Saul and Jonathan still alive"? I am sure those that heard this knew that King David was going to make sure that no bitter descendant was going to come after him. But instead, David asked this not so that he could go after them and finish the job but instead it was so that he could honor them. Ok, did you catch that? “So he could honor them”! King Saul had spent years making David’s life a living nightmare. David had been continually on the run, looking over his shoulder, having spears thrown at him by Saul. But now King David wanted to honor any living relative of Saul and Jonathan. That kind of heart; maybe that is why God said of David; “he is a man after my own heart”. Saul lived his life as he saw fit, David wanted to live life that was pleasing to God.
As we read scripture we find out there was a descendent of Saul and Jonathan still alive; his name, Mephibosheth who was living in Lo Debar and it was reported to King David that this grandson of King Saul was crippled in both feet. WOW! So much here!. Let’s dive in.
Lo Debar: The biblical meaning of this place tells us more of the story. Lo Debar means: pain, misery, sadness, darkness, loneliness and despair, a spiritual state of those stripped of faith.
So that is where you are now living, that is where you are doing life. You are in pain, despair, spiritual state of those stripped of faith, loneliness. It is a picture of Mephibosheth’s existence. Here, Mephibosheth’s family tree is known as an enemy to the king, he lives in the dread and shadow of the king’s wrath and his city name is a constant reminder of fear, loneliness and despair.
Crippled in both feet: 2 Samuel 4 tells us what happened to Mephibosheth’s feet. As a small boy his nurse was caring him. She had heard about the deaths of King Saul and Jonathan. Fear motivated, she was running and dropped him resulting in crippling him for life. This is the story of so many reading this right now. There were people in your life whose role it was to care for you; maybe a parent, a teacher, a leader or relative, they had a role and responsibility. But they didn’t protect you; instead what they did was harm you with words or actions. And if it is like the account of Mephibosheth maybe that person did what they did out of fear, out of a poverty mentality. You have been wounded, crippled at the hands of those who should have been caring for you. Can I say this; I am sorry. I hurt for you and with you. I so wish that would not have happened; but it did. The story is not over and neither is yours.
Now here is the picture of pure Grace; David sent his team to seek out Mephibosheth and bring him to the palace. The king of the day should have slaughtered Mephibosheth because of his family tree; who his dad. But David didn’t, he brought him to the palace to give him a seat at his table. You and I were once enemies of God (Romans 5:10) because of our sinful choices in life and our sinful nature. God has the right to slaughter us, but he doesn’t. Instead he invites us to his kingdom, to even sit at his table (communion). And not for an event; when Mephibosheth was brought to king David he honored him and gave him a permanent seat at the Kings table. Is this not an incredible picture of King Jesus grace?!
But what many people would not see at that table were Mephibosheth's feet. His feet were mangled and a mess but the king invited him to sit at his table. Anyone at that table would have simply seen the man. No one would know about his crippled feet. They were covered by the Kings table. Again, what an incredible picture of Father's grace. That he invites all of us into that intimacy relationship with him and to dine at his table! The grace of our king at that table covers our mangled humanity.
As Dr Ted Roberts points out; "Can you picture Mephibosheth seated at the King's table with distinguished guest and rulers beside him? You would never know that there was anything wrong with him. Of course if you pull back the tablecloth, you would see he’s still crippled in both feet despite all the blessings he is now enjoyed. He is seated at the table as if nothing had ever happened to him. Not pretending or denying his brokenness, letting the king cover him and bless him. Despite his limitations, he belongs there and he knows it"…and so do you.