Mephibo-who? (Part 2)

Okay, hopefully by now you've read through 2 Samuel 9. Maybe it didn't hit you quite as hard as it hit me, but let's break this down together.

This story is very reflective of the Gospel. Hence, why I find it ever so beautiful. 

1. David seeks out Mephibosheth. Mephibosheth doesn't happen to run into David - in fact (we find out later) he was hiding in society. David asked around for him because he wanted him. 

2. Mephibosheth's fear. When called by the King that could rightfully kill you for being a part of the former King's line... one can only have such high hopes. Mephibosheth probably thought the best outcome would be him coming away with his life. He was before the mighty King, who has the power and the motives to kill him. 

3. Mephibosheth's brokenness. Mephibosheth was probably an outcast. By his crippled legs alone he most likely stayed on the edges of the towns and society. He was looked down upon and recognized as broken, and he recognizes this himself, calling himself a dead dog. 

4. David restores Mephibosheth. David gives Mephibosheth more than he could ever fathom. Not only does he spare him his life, he gives him livelihood. He sits him at his table and gives him servants and food! Wealth beyond his wildest imagine - and for nothing in return. Mercy is sparing Mephibosheth his life. Grace is giving him the seat at the table, the food, and the servants. 

Hopefully you see the numerous parallels here. Maybe I can't communicate it through words. Either way, this story represents my relationship with Christ. God sought me. I deserved death. I recognized my brokenness. God gave me life and everlasting life in His kingdom. 

I am princess, a daughter of the King. I did nothing. He did everything. I didn't deserve life. He gave me more than life. 

I am a princess. 

I am Mephibosheth. 

I have done nothing. 

He has given righteousness, life, and a seat at the King's table because He loves me - that's the only reason. 

Mephibo-who? (Part 1)

Mephibosheth (Meh-fi-bo-sheth). 

This dude changed my walk with Christ. This might be peculiar because 1) you've never heard of Mephibosheth or 2) he's only around in the Old Testament or 3) his story is short and he's only mentioned a handful of times in the Bible period. 

Well, lend me your ear (er... eyes?) for a second. Or like five minutes. 

I love the story of David and Mephibosheth. You can find it 2 Samuel 9. 

For those of you not too familiar with the Old Testament, here's a little back story. David grew up as the son of Shepherd (someone who herds sheep), and was chosen by God to be King. The current King was named Saul. Saul had God's favor for a while, but after a few misdeeds, God appointed David to take over when Saul died. 

Saul had a son named Jonathan. Jonathan and David were best friends. Total bromance. One of the sweetest love stories between two best friends can be found within the relationship of David and Jonathan. So they make this solemn oath to each other to always to be friends and take care of each other's descendants and the such. Read 1 Samuel when you have a few hours to kill. It's honestly beautiful. 

Anyways, so Jonathan has a son named Mephibosheth, who is lame (as in cannot walk).

Saul and Jonathan are killed in war when Mephibosheth is five years old. When a messenger tells this to the nurse that is caring for Mephibosheth, she grabs him (because he cannot walk) and runs to escape (I'll explain why later). As she is running, she drops him and he is crippled in both of his legs. 

An extremely depressing opening to this story, right? Father and grandfather (who was King) dies, and he's crippled.

When Saul died, David became King. It was customary in this time that when a person became King, he kills all of the relatives that belonged to the former King so that none of the family rose up and tried to take the throne again (hence, why the nurse tries to flee with Mephibosheth).

Okay. Now go read 2 Samuel 9.