Come to the table – David and Mefibosheth
Series: Like you and me | Bible text: 2 Peter 3:18
Is the Gospel more than eternal life? To be with God once? Of course! Eternal life begins already here on earth. Through Jesus Christ we have access to God’s grace. What does grace mean? We want to look at this together and let ourselves be inspired anew by the Gospel. Using the story of David and Mefibosheth, we will see how God wants to bless your life today and how you can become a blessing for others.
In Moldova we have done many evangelistic outreaches this year. We have visited people in their homes and brought them the saving message of Jesus Christ. When we preach the Gospel, we often have the future in mind. Eternal life with Jesus in heaven. But what does the Gospel mean for the here and now? Gospel literally means: news too good to be true! Is the Gospel more than the consolation of the afterlife? While thinking about this topic, I came across a great picture in the OT. I want to take you into this story and I am excited to see what new things we can learn about the Gospel of Jesus Christ.
David and Jonathan
It all begins with a friendship between David and Jonathan. Jonathan is the son of the reigning king in Israel and the rightful heir to the throne. David, a shepherd boy, was anointed as the new king by the prophet Samuel because Jonathan’s father, King Saul, did not live according to God’s will. Actually not a good basis to be good friends. Again and again Saul tries to kill David and finally drives him to hide among Israel’s enemies, the Philistines. But Jonathan remains faithful to his friend, and David also remains faithful to his friend.
Then in 1 Samuel 31 Saul and Jonathan are killed in battle. The amazing thing about true friendship is that even death cannot destroy it. Now the story becomes dramatic. According to the royal dynasty, after Saul’s death Jonathan would rule, then Jonathan’s son and so on. But God had rejected the house of Saul from the throne and chosen a man after his own heart – David. When the dynasties changed at this time, usually all heirs to the throne from the previous dynasty were eliminated so that the new dynasty could rule unhindered.
From Prince to Son of Shame
Jonathan had a 5‑year-old son named Mir-Baal. The story begins with the foster mother, who takes care of Mir-Baal, learning of Saul and Jonathan’s death. She now assumes that David will come and kill Mir-Baal. «…And his foster mother had taken him up, and fled: and as she fled hastily, he fell down, and was paralysed. And his name was Mefibosheth» (2 Samuel 4.4 ZB).
Originally, Mefibosheth was called Mir-Baal, which means «Opponents of Baal» (cf. 1 Chronicles 8:34). But his name was changed to Mefibosheth, which was «Son of Shame» means. From that moment on, this young man was crippled. We are talking about a time when there were no wheelchairs or physiotherapy. No IV. What a pathetic, poor person he must have been. His family dead, unable to support himself, living at the mercy of strangers, waiting to die. At the age of 5, his whole world is turned upside down
Have you ever had a mefiboschet moment? Maybe it was the betrayal of a spouse. Maybe it was the loss of a job. Maybe you went to the doctor. Felt good but the doctor gave you a bad diagnosis. Maybe you feel lonely. Or you are struggling with inferiority. The Corona Crisis is such a moment for many people. At such moments, when we lose our footing, our control, what do you do? How can the gospel help here? The good news? What does this good news do for me when I’m in heaven in 50 years? I am in pain now! Do you know these thoughts? Mefibosheth is now hiding in the city of Lo-Dabar. Lo-Dabar means: without pasture, barren. The name of the village symbolically captures Mefibosheth’s life: unfulfilled, barren, a withered flower, created to blossom but withered in the scorching heat of life. But now something happened in his life. Together we read from 2 Samuel 9.
For Jonathan’s sake
Verse 1: «And David said, If there be any left of the house of Saul, I will show him mercy for Jonathan’s sake» (2 Samuel 9:1 ZB).
David is not seeking revenge against the house of Saul – David is seeking someone to whom he can show royal kindness. What is interesting is the statement of why he wants to do this – for Jonathan’s sake. We will read that again in a moment. Now David heard about Mephibosheth (verses 2–4) and David calls Mephibosheth over (verse 5) and no doubt Mephibosheth’s heart stopped: «This is the end! Now I will die!» he probably thought. We continue reading from verse 6:
«Then came Mephibosheth the son of Jonathan, the son of Saul, unto David, and fell on his face, and bowed himself. And David said, Mephibosheth! And he answered, Behold, thy servant is here. And David said unto him, Fear not: for I will shew thee mercy for Jonathan thy father’s sake, and I will restore thee all the land of Saul thy father; and thou shalt eat at my table continually» (2 Samuel 9:6–7 ZB).
#WeAreMefiboschet
«For the sake of your father Jonathan…» Do we see the Gospel in this story? Because of Jonathan, because of the death of Jonathan, David shows kindness and mercy to Mephibosheth. Do you see it? God gives us mercy and kindness today because of Jesus. Because of his death on the cross.
- Jonathan = Jesus
- David = God
- Who is Mefibosheth = You
We are all guilty before God. «All have sinned and forfeited the glory of God» (Romans 3:23 ZB). And further on we read: «For the wages of sin is death…» (Romans 6:23 ZB). Death means being separated from God, the source of all life. Here on earth but also for all eternity. To be separated from the table of God, which stands for fellowship with Him.
Like Mefibosheth, we are helpless to do anything about our condition. But now comes the gospel. David’s kindness to Mephibosheth was based on absolutely NOTHING that Mephibosheth could bring to the table. For Jonathan’s sake. It is the same with God’s kindness to YOU this morning. His kindness was based on absolutely NOTHING that YOU could bring. For Jesus» sake. Jesus, the Son of God, brings us to the table of God. «Righteous are they made (that means we) without merit by his grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus» (Romans 3:24 ZB).
The gospel of Jesus Christ allows us to put grace in the gap between us and God.
«For it is by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves, no, it is the gift of God» (Ephesians 2:8 ZB). Martin Luther, he describes it beautifully: «Law is what we ought to do; but Gospel what God wills to give.» God wants to give you a place at his table. And that stands for eternal life after death, for one thing. Do you have that place at God’s table? Remember – you can only get your place because of the deed of another. Have you entrusted your life, your eternity, to Jesus?
Grace is more
But grace is much more than simply eternal life. Now my link to the beginning. What is the gospel? Simply something in the future? What is grace? Psalm 103:8 says that God is gracious and merciful. To understand these terms we need another term: justice. Justice means getting exactly what you deserve. Mercy, on the other hand, means that God spares us from the consequences and judgement that we actually deserve. So God does not do something, he reacts mercifully. Like David with Mephibosheth. Mercy, however, is receiving the favours and blessings of God that we did not deserve. And this begins already here on earth! Grace is coming under God’s influence through Jesus Christ, coming under heavenly influence. «For the saving grace of God has appeared to all men, training us to renounce ungodliness and worldly lusts, and to live righteously and godly in this world». (Titus 2:11–12 LUT) Grace is the effective power of God in our lives! That is why Paul writes in each of his letters: «Mercy be upon you!» Peter also writes in his opening words in 1 Peter: «I wish you grace in the richest measure»! In the 2nd letter he wishes: «I wish you to get to know God and our Lord Jesus better and better and thereby experience grace and peace in ever greater measure». (2 Peter 1:2 NGÜ). His whole ministry places Paul under grace: «That I nevertheless became an apostle, I owe exclusively to the grace of God…it is not to me that I owe what I have «achieved», but to the grace of God that was with me!» (1 Cor 15:10 NGÜ)
Growing in grace
Our biblical mission: «But grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ» (2 Peter 3:18 LUT).
The word «Grow» is written in the active command form. You are responsible for growing the grace of God in your life. God’s grace must be actively sought and accepted. And where do we find this grace? At the table, with God: «Let us therefore come before the throne of our gracious God with confidence (because of Jesus), so that he may grant us his mercy and allow us to experience his grace and so that we may receive the help we need at the right time». (Hebrews 4:16 NGÜ). We need to learn to come into the presence of God, to come to His table, to receive grace, to receive help, not only in the future, no, this is a word for today! Paul with his challenges received the following word from God: «My grace is all you need, for my power comes to full effect precisely in weakness». (2 Corinthians 12:9 NGÜ).
When we understand that through Jesus we have an invitation to God’s table, let us no longer be satisfied with fast food. Seek God’s grace, God’s influence, God’s work today! In your pain, in your problems, in your loneliness in your life situation. Through Jesus, the way is open for God’s grace. «Blessed be God, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us in the heavens with every spiritual blessing through Christ» (Ephesians 1:3 ZB). That is also gospel! A message too good to be true!
Mefibosh was given food and a belonging at King David’s table. But we are blessed at the table with God the King with ALL spiritual blessings in heaven through Christ. And with this blessing package, which includes everything, we can be victorious in every situation today. We overcome by far says Paul in Romans 8 as he expounds the gospel of grace. That gives hope. This is good news. When we understand this, then we are truly blessed and will be a blessing.
Possible questions for the small groups
Read Bible text: 2 Samuel 9; 2 Peter 3:18; Ephesians 1:3
- What does gospel mean to you? Do you experience the good news in everyday life?
- Mefibosheth’s life was fundamentally changed by the undeserved attention of David. Do you experience how faith in God also changes your life?
- What does it mean to come to the table of God?
- Through grace we have access to God’s table. How do you understand God’s grace and how can you grow in grace? (cf. 2 Peter 3:18)
- Ephesians 1:3: Through Jesus we are already blessed with all spiritual blessings. How would your life change if you believed this?
