A King and a Cripple

Many stories throughout the Old Testament describe the tender heart of God.  One of my favourites is the story of King David and Mephibosheth (2 Sam Ch 9.)  Mephibosheth is crippled in both feet and thus not really of service to the King.  In  our times where our roles tasks and functions seem to signify spiritual prowess, it is fitting to examine what was being exampled here.

David was keen to show God's kindness to someone from the house of Saul.  Remember that Saul pursued David to have him killed yet David made a true friend out of Johnathan, Saul's son.  Before we get into the story of Methibosheth - Johnathan's son - it is important not to miss this gesture.  David saw the entire episode of Saul's pursuit as part and parcel of God's will for him.  This is a key to being healed and restored after a time where God's people chase you down.  David had every reason to bring retribution upon the house of Saul yet he saw God's purposes in Saul being complicit to his times of brokenness.  David knew that it was the brokenness that rid him of his 'Saul' and made him remain 'David.'  So David embraced the painful process... something we would be wise to do.

In my bible notes I have verse 1 of 2 Sam Chapter 9 labelled "Kindness in the face of conflict." David was able to get a 'macro-view' of God's dealing with him and this was a key to him being able to show God's kindness to Mephibosheth.  In verse 6 Mephibosheth introduces himself as David's servant. He was placing himself under David's rule yet the likelihood of actually serving him was reduced by his handicap.  Today we have many people who have ailments and hindrances to mobility that can work on computers and do other useful and important jobs.  Not so much in David's day.

In verse 7 of 2 Sam chapter 9 David tells Mephibosheth, 'Don't be afraid.'  This was 'reassurance in the face of ruin.'  David restores land to Mephibosheth and gives him a place at the Kings table.  Bowing low, Mephibosheth asks why he is being treated this way, being a 'dead dog' and David further instructs Ziba, one of Saul's servants.  David creates an economy for them and places Mephibosheth as the Master of that house.  My notes record David had 'actions in the face of questions.'    David arranges 'provision in the face of prejudice.'  So what do we have when we put it all together?

David is a type of Jesus and Mephibosheth is a type of everyone who comes to Jesus in faith.  God, the perfect, Holy Father wants us to get to a place where we can say 'what is your servant that you notice a dead dog like me?'  We need to acknowledge our being part of a failed kingdom, the kingdom of self.  Secondly we need to recognise we cannot walk this out at all!  Think you can?  Then your measurement of God's holiness is WAY too low!  Thirdly we need to realise, and this is the big one, that God requires our sonship... and that has to be enough. To be invited by the King to eat at His table is the highest honour we can ever embark upon.  What happens when we realise we are an adopted son and invited to eat at the King's table?

We show kindness in the face of conflict
We give reassurance in the face of ruin
We respond with actions in the face of questions
We provide in the face of prejudice

We reflect God's kindness when we recognise Jesus the King still invites us cripples to eat at His table.   It is then we may be able to be used to further God's kingdom... when we have stopped all our works and come to Jesus as we are.

Gary Ward