“Jonathan son of Saul had a son who was lame in both feet…His name was Mephibosheth.” (2 Samuel 4:4)
Mephibosheth…The name doesn’t exactly roll off the tongue does it? Last time I checked, it has never made the top ten baby names. I’ve had friends half-jokingly suggest they would give that name to their son, but I have yet to meet someone who followed through.
Perhaps it is because the name itself is strange. I mean how many people have first names that have four syllables and seem to contain the whole alphabet? It’s a good thing they didn’t have last names in bible times or they would have run out of parchment for the birth certificate! Yet for all of it’s peculiarity that name (and the story God laid out about the man who wore it) proclaim loudly two things every believer receives freely and would be lost without—the grace and mercy of God.
I would encourage you to read the story for yourself but let me just give you a brief synopsis. Jonathon and David were best friends, despite the fact that God had removed his blessing from Saul’s royal line. David would be king. Saul was very angry and tried to kill David because logically Jonathon should be the next king.
Jonathon feared God and accepted His Will. Jonathon and David made an oath before God that they would care for each others families no matter what happened. When Jonathon died, David set out to keep His promise. “And the king said, Is there not yet any of the house of Saul, that I may shew the kindness of God unto him? And Ziba said unto the king, Jonathan hath yet a son, which is lame on his feet.” (2 Samuel 9:3)
That son was Mephibosheth. As he was brought before the king, Mephibosheth had at least two strikes against him. First he was lame in both feet. In that day, the lame could do little more then beg. Second, as a relative of Saul, David would have been justified (at least culturally) in killing him. The exchange that follows shows that Mephibosheth was all too aware of this. It is a wonderful picture grace and mercy.
“And David said unto him, Fear not: for I will surely shew thee kindness for Jonathan thy father's sake, and will restore thee all the land of Saul thy father; and thou shalt eat bread at my table continually. And he bowed himself, and said, What is thy servant, that thou shouldest look upon such a dead dog as I am?” (2 Samuel 9:7-8)
David could have killed him, yet he spared his life and gave him all the land of his grandfather. No only that, but since he was lame, David sent his servants to take care of the land! Amazing! Not only did he spare him from what he did deserve, he also gave him what he didn’t deserve!
Jesus offers us an ever greater gift—eternal life when we deserve death. “For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.” (Romans 6:23) We are all sinners. After all, “The heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately wicked: who can know it?” (Jeremiah 17:9) In some ways this should be enough, but it’s only the beginning of the blessings God offers us.
He also:
• Calls us His sons and daughters (John 1:12)
• Gives us an advocate (I John 2:1-2)
• Gives us richly all things to enjoy (2 Timothy 6:17)
• Wants an intimate relationship with each of us! (Revelation 3:20)
As I close I just want to encourage you! God loves you. He has a place for you at his table, so if you haven’t come to Him yet, make today the day! If you have, spend time with Him! When we think of all He has done for us, how can we do any less?
Perhaps it is because the name itself is strange. I mean how many people have first names that have four syllables and seem to contain the whole alphabet? It’s a good thing they didn’t have last names in bible times or they would have run out of parchment for the birth certificate! Yet for all of it’s peculiarity that name (and the story God laid out about the man who wore it) proclaim loudly two things every believer receives freely and would be lost without—the grace and mercy of God.
I would encourage you to read the story for yourself but let me just give you a brief synopsis. Jonathon and David were best friends, despite the fact that God had removed his blessing from Saul’s royal line. David would be king. Saul was very angry and tried to kill David because logically Jonathon should be the next king.
Jonathon feared God and accepted His Will. Jonathon and David made an oath before God that they would care for each others families no matter what happened. When Jonathon died, David set out to keep His promise. “And the king said, Is there not yet any of the house of Saul, that I may shew the kindness of God unto him? And Ziba said unto the king, Jonathan hath yet a son, which is lame on his feet.” (2 Samuel 9:3)
That son was Mephibosheth. As he was brought before the king, Mephibosheth had at least two strikes against him. First he was lame in both feet. In that day, the lame could do little more then beg. Second, as a relative of Saul, David would have been justified (at least culturally) in killing him. The exchange that follows shows that Mephibosheth was all too aware of this. It is a wonderful picture grace and mercy.
“And David said unto him, Fear not: for I will surely shew thee kindness for Jonathan thy father's sake, and will restore thee all the land of Saul thy father; and thou shalt eat bread at my table continually. And he bowed himself, and said, What is thy servant, that thou shouldest look upon such a dead dog as I am?” (2 Samuel 9:7-8)
David could have killed him, yet he spared his life and gave him all the land of his grandfather. No only that, but since he was lame, David sent his servants to take care of the land! Amazing! Not only did he spare him from what he did deserve, he also gave him what he didn’t deserve!
Jesus offers us an ever greater gift—eternal life when we deserve death. “For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.” (Romans 6:23) We are all sinners. After all, “The heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately wicked: who can know it?” (Jeremiah 17:9) In some ways this should be enough, but it’s only the beginning of the blessings God offers us.
He also:
• Calls us His sons and daughters (John 1:12)
• Gives us an advocate (I John 2:1-2)
• Gives us richly all things to enjoy (2 Timothy 6:17)
• Wants an intimate relationship with each of us! (Revelation 3:20)
As I close I just want to encourage you! God loves you. He has a place for you at his table, so if you haven’t come to Him yet, make today the day! If you have, spend time with Him! When we think of all He has done for us, how can we do any less?
“No one knew how alone I was feeling,
And the emptiness I tried so hard to hide.
Though I laugh and said my life was fine without you.
I was covering up the secret tears I cried.
Then one day someone told me of your mercies,
And the love you showed on a Hill called Calvary.
There you died and purchased my redemption,
When you broke in spite and set my spirit free.
Chorus
I'm amazed that you love me I'm amazed how you care
Through Your precious blood I've found pardon
And my sins are washed they're all washed away
All my sins are washed away
Yes there've been days when I've failed you.
Lord you know the many times I've gone astray.
Lord I've learned your love is stronger than my weakness,
And your ear is open every time I pray.
No one else has ever cared for me like you Lord.
Other friends could never be as close to me.
I'm not afraid to face the problems of tomorrow,
Knowing you are everything I'll ever need.
Chorus
I'm amazed that you love me I'm amazed how you care
Through your precious blood I've found pardon
And my sins are washed they're all washed away
All my sins are washed away
I'm amazed that you love me I'm amazed how you care
Through your precious blood I've found pardon
And my sins are washed they're all washed away
All my sins are washed away
I'm amazed that you love me I'm amazed how you care
Through your precious blood I've found pardon
And my sins are washed they're all washed away
All my sins are washed away”
—Brooklyn Tabernacle Choir
And the emptiness I tried so hard to hide.
Though I laugh and said my life was fine without you.
I was covering up the secret tears I cried.
Then one day someone told me of your mercies,
And the love you showed on a Hill called Calvary.
There you died and purchased my redemption,
When you broke in spite and set my spirit free.
Chorus
I'm amazed that you love me I'm amazed how you care
Through Your precious blood I've found pardon
And my sins are washed they're all washed away
All my sins are washed away
Yes there've been days when I've failed you.
Lord you know the many times I've gone astray.
Lord I've learned your love is stronger than my weakness,
And your ear is open every time I pray.
No one else has ever cared for me like you Lord.
Other friends could never be as close to me.
I'm not afraid to face the problems of tomorrow,
Knowing you are everything I'll ever need.
Chorus
I'm amazed that you love me I'm amazed how you care
Through your precious blood I've found pardon
And my sins are washed they're all washed away
All my sins are washed away
I'm amazed that you love me I'm amazed how you care
Through your precious blood I've found pardon
And my sins are washed they're all washed away
All my sins are washed away
I'm amazed that you love me I'm amazed how you care
Through your precious blood I've found pardon
And my sins are washed they're all washed away
All my sins are washed away”
—Brooklyn Tabernacle Choir
Speaking4Him,
Andrew Gommesen
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