2 Samuel chapter 9 is one of my favorite chapters in all the Old Testament. I was recently asked by my friend Karl what my favorite Old Testament character is. I said I don't know about my favorite, but the one I most relate to is Mephibosheth. Eight years ago I wrote about this character and I want to share it with you today.
I am Mephibosheth
2 Samuel chapter 9 has a great story about David and Mephibosheth. In the story you and I are Mephibosheth. Take time to read this chapter.
At this point in David's life he is the king. Now, in those days when a king was part of a dynasty change the first thing he did was destroy the family members of the old dynasty. David was a warrior and we would expect him to do this, but David was a promise keeper so he didn't. Remember, that David promised his best friend Jonathan, the former king's son, that he would always love Jonathan and Jonathan's family.
In keeping with this promise David asks if there is someone of Jonathan's family still around that he can show kindness to. And there is one. This one is Jonathan's crippled son Mephibosheth (the crippled were seen as worthless in this day). David finds him and gives him everything the king's son deserves, including a spot at the king's table for the rest of Mephibosheth's life.
In this story David represents Jesus (although David doesn't always live up to this standard) and Mephibosheth represents you and I. Let's look at why we are Mephibosheth.
If you read 2 Samuel chapter 4 verse 4 you will see that Mephibosheth was crippled in a fall he took. We were crippled in The Fall. The Fall of man made it so that you and I are less than at full capacity. We are crippled by sin. Because of this crippling Mephibosheth, you and I are little use to either king David or King Jesus, right?
Romans says, "The wages of sin is death." Mephibosheth was on the wrong side of a dynasty change and was supposed to die. So are we. Right now Satan has rule over the earth. When Christ enacts His dynasty change He will destroy the old ruling house. Mephibosheth should have died but didn't due to the mercy of David. We should die but don't due to the mercy of God.
Mephibosheth did not just have his life spared, he was considered a son of the king. We Christians don't just have our lives spared, we are considered a son/daughter of the King. How awesome is that? We are seated at the King's table like Mephibosheth was seated at the king's table.
I am Mephibosheth and so are you. We were crippled in The Fall. We deserve death. We are saved to be sons/daughters of the King. Remember that. Love that. And continue to find yourself and Jesus on the pages of the Old Testament today.
At this point in David's life he is the king. Now, in those days when a king was part of a dynasty change the first thing he did was destroy the family members of the old dynasty. David was a warrior and we would expect him to do this, but David was a promise keeper so he didn't. Remember, that David promised his best friend Jonathan, the former king's son, that he would always love Jonathan and Jonathan's family.
In keeping with this promise David asks if there is someone of Jonathan's family still around that he can show kindness to. And there is one. This one is Jonathan's crippled son Mephibosheth (the crippled were seen as worthless in this day). David finds him and gives him everything the king's son deserves, including a spot at the king's table for the rest of Mephibosheth's life.
In this story David represents Jesus (although David doesn't always live up to this standard) and Mephibosheth represents you and I. Let's look at why we are Mephibosheth.
First, we are Mephibosheth because we were crippled in The Fall.
If you read 2 Samuel chapter 4 verse 4 you will see that Mephibosheth was crippled in a fall he took. We were crippled in The Fall. The Fall of man made it so that you and I are less than at full capacity. We are crippled by sin. Because of this crippling Mephibosheth, you and I are little use to either king David or King Jesus, right?
Secondly, we are Mephibosheth because we deserve to die.
Romans says, "The wages of sin is death." Mephibosheth was on the wrong side of a dynasty change and was supposed to die. So are we. Right now Satan has rule over the earth. When Christ enacts His dynasty change He will destroy the old ruling house. Mephibosheth should have died but didn't due to the mercy of David. We should die but don't due to the mercy of God.
Lastly, we are Mehibosheth because we are saved to something great.
Mephibosheth did not just have his life spared, he was considered a son of the king. We Christians don't just have our lives spared, we are considered a son/daughter of the King. How awesome is that? We are seated at the King's table like Mephibosheth was seated at the king's table.
I am Mephibosheth and so are you. We were crippled in The Fall. We deserve death. We are saved to be sons/daughters of the King. Remember that. Love that. And continue to find yourself and Jesus on the pages of the Old Testament today.
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