Dining with the King

So Mephibosheth dwelt in Jerusalem: for he did eat continually at the king’s table; and was lame on both his feet. 2 Samuel 9:13

Picture this with me. You’re a visitor at the royal court, dining in the royal hall.

As dinner approaches you excitedly head for the dining room to await the arrival of the king. In he steps, clothed in all his royal splendor. He is a handsome man, with a look that commands respect. He is strong and intimidating. His royal robes flow off his broad shoulders as he pulls himself up the head of the table. You are in awe of the powerful man before you.

But then, all of the sudden, your eyes catch on someone coming in behind this impressive figure. He is everything the king is not. His posture is meek and subservient in contrast to the kings authority. His clothing, although serviceable, is nothing compared to the splendor of the king. And as the king confidently strides across the room, you notice that this man is lame. A man walks with him, helping him across the room

In spite of this man’s inferiority, however, and much to the shock of everyone else, he sits at the place of honor next to David.

The person next to you leans over to whisper, “That’s Mephibosheth. You know, Jonathan’s son. Saul’s grandson. Word has it that King David has taken him in. It’s crazy if you ask me, after he’s lame on both of his feet. What good could he be? But, David continually places him in the place of honor at his table. I just don’t understand it.”

David’s kindness to Mephibosheth is a beautiful thing. For he has taken in someone who can do nothing for him, someone who he has every right to be angry with.

But this story is a picture of God’s love for us.

Just like Mephibosheth, we come to God broken and “lame.” Past failures. Hurts. Fears. Challenges. Sin has caused us to be broken.

And so, God calls for us, because He wants us to be with Him. And we come, expecting His anger, because He has every right to be angry with us. We deserve His punishment, but in mercy He looks at us and invites us to come in under His protection and to sit at His table with Him.

And so we come, in all our brokenness, to the table of the Most High King, where we are able to continually eat and have fellowship with our Creator. Can’t you picture it? When we pray, we pull up our chair to the table of the King of Kings and Lord of Lords. We are given a place of honor, as one of His children, where He meets with us.

But then, God goes one step farther than King David was able to. David, with all his power and authority, could not change the fact that Mephibosheth was lame. But God is not limited to earthly power, and so He extends His grace as He begins to heal the brokenness. He gently molds us and restores what sin has taken away.

He binds the wounds and heals the hurt.

He continually works on us until one day, we will meet Him face to face as we dine with Him once again.