WEBVTT 00:00:00.000 --> 00:00:09.919 Amen. That's an amazing story that we've heard, and I'm really looking forward to just diving 00:00:09.919 --> 00:00:17.940 into the heart and the redemption and the struggle that we see in this story. But before we get into 00:00:17.940 --> 00:00:25.480 the text and in the passage, my name is Jeremy, and it's a pleasure to be with you if you don't 00:00:25.480 --> 00:00:31.660 know me. And I want to just kind of give you a little recap, a little summary of where we've 00:00:31.660 --> 00:00:38.179 been going with this series called Christ in the Old Testament. And over the last few weeks, 00:00:38.179 --> 00:00:45.100 we've basically been looking at how we see the person of Jesus Christ, not just in the New 00:00:45.100 --> 00:00:52.939 Testament, but actually shadows of him, foreshadowings of him in the Old Testament, and how the entire 00:00:52.939 --> 00:01:01.679 Bible is actually one grand, beautiful narrative and story that God is telling, and it's consistent. 00:01:02.280 --> 00:01:10.620 And it's almost as if we can see Christ in the pages of the Old Testament. And so far, we've seen 00:01:10.620 --> 00:01:19.859 in the first week in Genesis the story of Abraham and Sodom, and how our only hope is found in the 00:01:19.859 --> 00:01:28.640 righteousness of another, and ultimately in Christ. We've also seen in the story of Jacob wrestling 00:01:28.640 --> 00:01:37.719 with God, and we saw how God is willing to be defeated in order to bring blessing to us, his people, 00:01:38.299 --> 00:01:45.260 just like how Christ was willing to die and be defeated on that cross to be a blessing to us. 00:01:45.260 --> 00:01:54.520 We also saw in the story of Gideon in Judges, how we need to recognize our weakness, our sin, 00:01:54.680 --> 00:02:02.800 in order to see Christ's power and his grace. We've seen through the story of Naaman last week that the 00:02:02.800 --> 00:02:08.920 only right way to approach God is actually to approach him with nothing, empty-handed, 00:02:08.919 --> 00:02:16.899 because we cannot earn the grace that Christ offers us freely. And so this morning, we're going to look 00:02:16.899 --> 00:02:24.679 at the story of Mephibosheth. And it shows us so clearly that God's kindness comes to even the most 00:02:24.679 --> 00:02:34.679 unlikeliest of people. So first, we'll look at this tragic figure of Mephibosheth. We'll look at how he is 00:02:34.680 --> 00:02:45.360 a suffering enemy of God. Second, we'll look at how God's kindness comes to him, the true nature and 00:02:45.360 --> 00:02:52.840 meaning of biblical kindness. Thirdly, we'll look at the actual life-changing results that this kind 00:02:52.840 --> 00:02:59.740 of kindness brings out of humans like us. And finally, we'll think about the question, we'll explore, 00:02:59.740 --> 00:03:07.879 like, what does this all have to do with us today in the 21st century? So you ready? Before we start, 00:03:08.020 --> 00:03:18.920 let me just pray for us, okay? Lord, we just confess that we're so small and you are God, but thank you 00:03:18.920 --> 00:03:26.060 that you would humble yourself to reveal yourself to us in words through your scripture, God. And I just 00:03:26.060 --> 00:03:32.319 pray that this morning, this sermon would be worshiped to you, God, that you, through your spirit, 00:03:32.400 --> 00:03:37.539 would just speak to all of us in this room, that you would speak to me, you would speak to every person 00:03:37.539 --> 00:03:45.039 sitting in these seats before me, that we would come to know more deeply your character, God, who you are, 00:03:46.340 --> 00:03:53.039 what you've done for us, what you desire for us. So God, we open our hearts to you, Lord. 00:03:53.039 --> 00:04:01.479 Soften where we are hardened. Remove the obstacles that have just blocked our ears so that we may 00:04:01.479 --> 00:04:12.519 receive what you have for us. In Jesus' name we pray. Amen. Amen. So the tragedy of Mephibosheth, 00:04:12.520 --> 00:04:23.519 this suffering enemy of the king. And to really understand this character and to really be able to 00:04:23.519 --> 00:04:28.780 identify with him, we actually need to know a little bit more of the context of the passages 00:04:28.780 --> 00:04:36.240 we read. There's a little sliver of that in chapter 4, verse 4 that was read to us from 2 Samuel. 00:04:36.819 --> 00:04:41.900 But actually, there's more backstory that we need to know to really grasp that. So let me just catch 00:04:41.899 --> 00:04:50.579 us up on that. So Mephibosheth's grandfather was actually Saul. Those of you who may know this story, 00:04:51.439 --> 00:04:59.519 but bear with me, Saul was actually the first king of Israel. And unfortunately, Saul disobeyed and he 00:04:59.519 --> 00:05:09.759 rejected God. And so God rejected him as king. And one of Saul's sons was Jonathan. And Jonathan became 00:05:09.759 --> 00:05:17.480 the father of Mephibosheth. So you're tracking with me? So Saul, and then Jonathan, and then Mephibosheth. 00:05:18.740 --> 00:05:26.279 And in this time, in this time period in Samuel, this was also a period of war and conflict between 00:05:26.279 --> 00:05:32.139 Israel and her neighbors. So there was a group of people, the Philistines, who were basically a thorn 00:05:32.139 --> 00:05:38.039 in Israel's side. There was all of these wars and skirmishes that are ongoing conflicts between them. 00:05:38.040 --> 00:05:46.520 And who's heard of the story of David and Goliath? All right, a few of you. Basically, that famous story 00:05:46.520 --> 00:05:53.640 of David slinging down that giant Goliath, that is from this period as well, in this battle between 00:05:53.640 --> 00:06:01.820 Israel and the Philistines. And so this is the world that Mephibosheth was born into. He was royalty, 00:06:01.819 --> 00:06:12.439 a grandson to the king. And he certainly lived in a state of privilege. But he was also born into a world 00:06:12.439 --> 00:06:22.360 of turmoil, a world of war. His grandfather had turned away from God, and there was internal strife and 00:06:22.360 --> 00:06:30.339 brokenness there. His people were in conflict, were at war. And this is where we picked up the story 00:06:30.339 --> 00:06:38.139 in 2 Samuel 4. And let me just read that for us again. It said, Jonathan, the son of Saul, 00:06:38.679 --> 00:06:46.079 had a son who was crippled in his feet. He was five years old when the news about Saul and Jonathan 00:06:46.079 --> 00:06:54.339 came from Jezreel. And his nurse took him up and fled. And as she fled in her haste, he fell 00:06:54.339 --> 00:07:04.019 and became crippled in his feet. He became lame. And his name was Mephibosheth. And so as a five-year-old, 00:07:04.219 --> 00:07:09.000 the news that they received, that Mephibosheth received, was that his granddad and his dad 00:07:09.000 --> 00:07:19.579 had died in battle against the Philistines. Now, if that wasn't enough to take in, instantly he's 00:07:19.579 --> 00:07:25.300 wrapped up and he has to be taken away. Because who knows what would happen with the king and the 00:07:25.300 --> 00:07:31.459 princes now dead. You know, it's understandable that there would be fear for all of the royal family 00:07:31.459 --> 00:07:36.919 at this time. So understandably, the nurse takes him and runs away. But tragedy strikes again. 00:07:38.019 --> 00:07:44.860 The child falls and breaks both of his feet. And in one fell swoop, at the age of five, 00:07:44.860 --> 00:07:52.100 Mephibosheth goes from being the son of royalty, the place of wealth, full of potential and promise 00:07:52.100 --> 00:08:06.400 to an orphan, a fugitive, broken, disabled. Mephibosheth, I think he becomes a poster child for 00:08:06.400 --> 00:08:14.400 people who have just tragedy thrust upon their lives. And physical disability, 00:08:14.399 --> 00:08:21.579 I think we all know itself is hard enough to navigate in today's advanced age, in today's 00:08:21.579 --> 00:08:28.839 more accepting age. But in biblical times, the implications of being lame were serious indeed. 00:08:30.039 --> 00:08:38.439 You became utterly dependent on others. You lose your way of livelihood. There was even this sense 00:08:38.440 --> 00:08:44.620 that perhaps you were cursed because you've lost your physical, your full functioning ability. 00:08:44.620 --> 00:08:48.960 You read in the Bible that blindness and lameness are often just lumped together. 00:08:50.080 --> 00:08:55.100 You know, this group of outcasts, these people who were separated, segregated from society. 00:08:56.520 --> 00:09:02.380 One scholar even thinks in commenting on this passage that after the death of Mephibosheth's 00:09:02.379 --> 00:09:10.179 uncles, you know, there was no mention at all of him perhaps succeeding the throne. And he thinks 00:09:10.179 --> 00:09:16.159 one reason for that was probably because he was disabled. He was seen as incapacitated, incapable 00:09:16.159 --> 00:09:24.679 of serving in that role. Mephibosheth went from everything to nothing. 00:09:24.679 --> 00:09:33.139 And so we see in this story, this tale of this young man, an example of real suffering. 00:09:34.639 --> 00:09:41.120 But I think he also exemplifies what it looks like to be an enemy, an enemy of the king. 00:09:42.239 --> 00:09:49.579 Because after King Saul rejected God, and God rejected King Saul, God chose another man, 00:09:49.580 --> 00:09:56.740 David, right? He chose David to replace Saul as the next rightful king. And what that meant is, 00:09:56.740 --> 00:10:03.759 in essence, Saul's offspring would not continue on the throne. The house of Saul would now be replaced 00:10:03.759 --> 00:10:11.600 by the house of David. But after Saul's death, you know, the followers that were loyal to Saul, 00:10:11.840 --> 00:10:18.800 they actually tried to keep Saul's line going. And there was basically this internal struggle 00:10:18.799 --> 00:10:24.479 within Israel about who would be the rightful king. You know, it's the stuff that all these movies are 00:10:24.479 --> 00:10:32.519 made of, right? Lord of the Rings or Game of Thrones, if you've read it. Maybe not watched it. 00:10:35.459 --> 00:10:40.719 Or watched it censored, I don't know. But anyway, it's that story. We all see that the drama, 00:10:40.919 --> 00:10:46.219 you know, it's not nothing new with that. That happened from ancient times. And this battle was 00:10:46.220 --> 00:10:52.580 happening. But long story short, obviously, we know that David's house won out because he was 00:10:52.580 --> 00:10:59.600 chosen by God and he was rightfully anointed as king of Israel. But what does that mean now when 00:10:59.600 --> 00:11:07.820 that happens? It means now that all the people, the surviving members of the old house, are de facto 00:11:07.820 --> 00:11:15.519 enemies of the new house. And it was the custom in those times, in that era, that when a regime change 00:11:15.519 --> 00:11:24.100 happened, that the new regime would basically eliminate all the heirs of the old house. All 00:11:24.100 --> 00:11:29.419 the people who could have succeeded would be killed. And the reason was simple, right? It would prevent 00:11:29.419 --> 00:11:36.559 any sort of chance of insurrection, of insubordination, of another conflict coming out. 00:11:38.179 --> 00:11:44.620 So Mephibosheth should actually have been killed and he was in mortal danger because of his status. 00:11:45.519 --> 00:11:52.419 And not only that, it's not even just the regime change, but Mephibosheth was an enemy because 00:11:52.419 --> 00:11:59.519 his grandfather and Saul was actually enemies, personal enemies with David. Saul actually tried 00:11:59.519 --> 00:12:05.740 to kill David when they were both alive. And he even pursued David until David had to flee 00:12:05.740 --> 00:12:14.279 Israel. So you can imagine maybe if you were Mephibosheth, you're like, oh man, there is serious beef 00:12:14.279 --> 00:12:24.500 between my ancestors, my grandfather and Saul. You know, Saul, David has every reason to chase 00:12:24.500 --> 00:12:32.720 me down, to hunt me down, to kill me because of what my grandfather did to him. So now Mephibosheth, 00:12:32.720 --> 00:12:42.180 he's an orphan, he's a disabled person, he's a fugitive, but he's also an enemy of his own state, 00:12:42.540 --> 00:12:54.200 deserving of death. Some life this turned out for him, isn't it? Some life this turned out to be. 00:12:54.200 --> 00:13:05.240 And this is the back story of Mephibosheth. It's this backdrop that makes 2 Samuel chapter 9 so 00:13:05.240 --> 00:13:13.620 jaw-dropping. When you see how David comes into this life, into the life of this broken, distraught, 00:13:13.759 --> 00:13:20.960 estranged young man, this tragic character. And this chapter 9 is where we look at God's kindness 00:13:20.960 --> 00:13:30.019 to this very unlikely recipient of it. So let me read again for us in verse 1 of chapter 9. 00:13:31.139 --> 00:13:41.040 This is what it says. David said, is there still anyone left, anyone left in the house of Saul 00:13:41.040 --> 00:13:45.820 that I may show him kindness for Jonathan's sake? 00:13:45.820 --> 00:13:55.460 And church, this is the key verse this morning for us to see how Mephibosheth's life really begins to 00:13:55.460 --> 00:14:04.600 turn around. In this verse, we first see that King David's character, we see the true nature of this 00:14:04.600 --> 00:14:11.020 man of God in this one sentence. You know, the Bible describes David as a man after God's own heart. 00:14:11.019 --> 00:14:17.460 You know, he's known as perhaps the greatest king of Israel in the Old Testament. And this is where it 00:14:17.460 --> 00:14:26.899 shines, it shows. He has kindness far beyond our expectations. So Jonathan, remember Mephibosheth's 00:14:26.899 --> 00:14:33.799 father, when Jonathan was still alive before he died in that war with the Philistines, against odds, 00:14:33.919 --> 00:14:39.620 he actually became best friends, best buddies with David. They were inseparable. 00:14:39.620 --> 00:14:47.500 And they were so close that they even made a covenant, a sacred promise that God's love would 00:14:47.500 --> 00:14:52.840 always be between them. It would always be between their children, their offspring. 00:14:54.539 --> 00:15:01.019 And so in this case, it would be understandable for David to remember and to want to seek out 00:15:01.019 --> 00:15:07.740 Jonathan's children to help him, to help them. But notice what David says here. He says, 00:15:07.740 --> 00:15:17.279 is there anyone in the house of Saul, anyone, anyone in this family that was deposed by me? 00:15:18.919 --> 00:15:26.639 David's mercy, his compassion extends beyond what was expected. Not only did he refrain himself from 00:15:26.639 --> 00:15:33.060 annihilating Saul's house, but he actually wanted to show kindness to everyone in it for Jonathan's sake. 00:15:33.059 --> 00:15:45.359 So that's the incredible kindness of David. Secondly, as we dig deeper into this sentence, 00:15:45.619 --> 00:15:53.839 we actually see the true nature of biblical kindness. And you see this word kindness that David used. 00:15:53.919 --> 00:16:00.619 It's actually really important because it's repeated two more times in this chapter, in verse 3 and verse 7. 00:16:00.620 --> 00:16:06.159 And as you hear over and over again, when you see this repetition, chances are that it's important. 00:16:07.639 --> 00:16:14.639 So what do you hear, what do you think when you hear that someone is kind or shows kindness? 00:16:14.879 --> 00:16:20.539 What does that kind of conjure in my mind? I don't know about every one of you, but to be honest, 00:16:20.620 --> 00:16:24.539 when I hear that someone's kind, I usually just kind of think more on the lines of, 00:16:24.539 --> 00:16:29.879 okay, he's, he's, he's, this guy's gentle and he's kind of nice, maybe a little soft. 00:16:31.559 --> 00:16:38.099 That's just kind of my presuppositions. Like the word kindness doesn't strike like awe into my life. 00:16:38.819 --> 00:16:45.519 And so this is one of those times that I think we really actually need to dig deep into this one Hebrew word. 00:16:45.519 --> 00:16:51.259 I don't want to just make it academic, but this is one of those words I think we need to focus on 00:16:51.259 --> 00:16:59.340 because this word in Hebrew just really isn't a direct translation for us in English, in my opinion. 00:16:59.860 --> 00:17:05.500 And the word kindness actually doesn't do justice to the meaning of this word. 00:17:06.440 --> 00:17:10.440 And so I just want to teach us this word. It's called, in Hebrew, it's called hesed. 00:17:11.139 --> 00:17:11.579 Hesed. 00:17:11.579 --> 00:17:18.419 Hesed. Sure, you can repeat with me. Hesed. It's all right. Some of you have tried again. Let's try it. 00:17:18.879 --> 00:17:28.419 Hesed. Yes. H-E-S-E-D is a translation. And just remember that because I want us to hold on to that this morning. 00:17:29.339 --> 00:17:39.779 And this word is amazing because it combines all these ideas of goodness, kindness, steadfastness, 00:17:39.779 --> 00:17:48.680 you know, that steadiness of a friend that has always been with you, faithfulness, love, loyalty. 00:17:49.460 --> 00:17:54.859 And that's just to name a few. You know, you could go on further and further in the dictionary. 00:17:56.000 --> 00:18:02.240 And that's why some of the older translations you might read in the Bible actually translate this as loving kindness, 00:18:02.440 --> 00:18:05.200 just to kind of show you there's a complexity to that. 00:18:05.200 --> 00:18:07.819 But even that, in my opinion, doesn't do it justice. 00:18:07.819 --> 00:18:12.980 You see how just rich and deep this word is? 00:18:13.700 --> 00:18:19.620 That when someone hears, I think in Hebrew, hesed, he doesn't just hear, oh, he's kind. 00:18:20.059 --> 00:18:20.900 He's nice. 00:18:20.900 --> 00:18:26.040 All those ideas come together in this amazing word. 00:18:26.140 --> 00:18:35.660 And do you see then why David chooses this word when he talks about acting on behalf of the covenant, 00:18:35.820 --> 00:18:37.259 the promise he had with Jonathan? 00:18:39.160 --> 00:18:43.900 David is remembering that covenant between him and Jonathan. 00:18:43.900 --> 00:18:52.940 And it's out of his goodness and steadfast love that he faithfully and loyally acts on the promises that were made. 00:18:53.920 --> 00:18:58.280 In verse 3, David repeats this question, but he's even more explicit. 00:18:59.200 --> 00:18:59.620 He says, 00:18:59.619 --> 00:19:19.599 You see, David is humbly recognizing that it's not him who's conjuring up this kindness, 00:19:19.839 --> 00:19:26.059 but it's actually the kindness of God, the hesed of God. 00:19:26.059 --> 00:19:32.240 And so, friends, this is the nature of biblical kindness. 00:19:33.240 --> 00:19:37.240 It's that in the depths of Mephibosheth's shame and suffering, 00:19:37.319 --> 00:19:39.879 as he lives as this enemy to the king, 00:19:40.500 --> 00:19:43.240 David faithfully remembers him, 00:19:43.659 --> 00:19:47.079 not with his own kindness, but with the kindness of God. 00:19:47.720 --> 00:19:49.399 And so he finds him, 00:19:50.200 --> 00:19:53.819 and he brings him before his throne. 00:19:53.819 --> 00:20:02.700 And can you just imagine for a minute what it might have been like for Mephibosheth to have been brought in, 00:20:02.939 --> 00:20:08.500 this lame, crippled, disabled man brought in before King David, 00:20:09.539 --> 00:20:12.519 before his enemy, so to speak, 00:20:12.919 --> 00:20:14.939 before the enemy of his grandfather. 00:20:14.940 --> 00:20:22.259 In verse 9, this kind of shows, gives you an idea of a window into his heart. 00:20:22.380 --> 00:20:22.700 He says, 00:20:23.360 --> 00:20:31.420 What is your servant that you should show regard for a dead dog such as I? 00:20:31.420 --> 00:20:38.420 And to call someone a dog in ancient Israel was an insult, 00:20:38.960 --> 00:20:42.440 was derogatory to the highest degree, 00:20:43.220 --> 00:20:45.360 not to mention a dead dog. 00:20:45.600 --> 00:20:51.660 So we can maybe imagine how Mephibosheth's identity had been changed and warped 00:20:51.660 --> 00:20:54.660 by being separated from society, 00:20:54.660 --> 00:20:59.080 that he would now call himself a dead dog, 00:21:00.000 --> 00:21:02.560 prostate before the king of Israel. 00:21:04.060 --> 00:21:08.560 And maybe you can imagine what maybe is going through his mind at this moment. 00:21:09.980 --> 00:21:15.120 But it's at this time that he hears King David say these words. 00:21:15.119 --> 00:21:21.539 Do not fear, do not fear, Mephibosheth, 00:21:21.659 --> 00:21:28.059 for I will show you kindness for the sake of your father, Jonathan. 00:21:32.059 --> 00:21:33.919 Mephibosheth was broken. 00:21:35.119 --> 00:21:38.379 He was estranged, but he was never forgotten. 00:21:38.380 --> 00:21:46.840 So now that we know this biblical meaning of hesed, 00:21:48.300 --> 00:21:51.460 let's turn to the third point, 00:21:51.880 --> 00:21:58.620 where we see that how these words of David were life-changing to Mephibosheth. 00:21:59.080 --> 00:22:05.460 This true kindness actually impacted him in a way that he could not have expected. 00:22:05.460 --> 00:22:10.340 Because here's the thing, David could have easily said, 00:22:10.460 --> 00:22:15.200 okay, I remember my covenant with your father, Jonathan. 00:22:15.200 --> 00:22:16.019 I remember that. 00:22:16.200 --> 00:22:17.940 So I'm not going to kill you. 00:22:18.480 --> 00:22:19.819 Don't worry about it. 00:22:19.920 --> 00:22:20.620 You'll be fine. 00:22:20.759 --> 00:22:21.440 You'll be protected. 00:22:21.900 --> 00:22:22.759 Go in peace. 00:22:23.360 --> 00:22:23.880 Goodbye. 00:22:24.840 --> 00:22:25.680 And you know what? 00:22:25.759 --> 00:22:28.720 That wouldn't have been a bad thing, right? 00:22:29.400 --> 00:22:32.480 He would no longer be an enemy of the state, 00:22:32.480 --> 00:22:36.160 a promise to preserve Mephibosheth, 00:22:36.440 --> 00:22:38.299 to not let him actually be killed, 00:22:38.740 --> 00:22:41.660 by all means would have been a decent and humane 00:22:41.660 --> 00:22:43.440 and a tangibly good thing, right? 00:22:45.140 --> 00:22:48.759 But if you've heard the story of Mephibosheth as we have, 00:22:49.220 --> 00:22:52.839 as you've imagined how he must have been feeling through these years, 00:22:52.940 --> 00:22:55.819 from age five to this moment in time, 00:22:55.819 --> 00:23:00.059 do you think that it was really just the preservation of his life 00:23:00.059 --> 00:23:02.039 that was what he needed? 00:23:02.839 --> 00:23:07.500 Was that really what Mephibosheth needed in his heart of hearts? 00:23:08.859 --> 00:23:11.179 You know, by calling himself a dead dog, 00:23:11.279 --> 00:23:16.139 I wonder how much he really even cared about his existence at that point. 00:23:17.299 --> 00:23:20.879 It's not just living and breathing and eating and pooping 00:23:20.879 --> 00:23:21.980 that makes you human, right? 00:23:21.980 --> 00:23:24.579 There's so much more. 00:23:24.700 --> 00:23:29.000 And what exactly is Mephibosheth thinking about his existence? 00:23:29.740 --> 00:23:32.900 Because I don't think death and life was the ultimate issue for him 00:23:32.900 --> 00:23:35.920 because he had lost everything, 00:23:36.620 --> 00:23:39.799 everything that had gave him meaning and purpose. 00:23:40.140 --> 00:23:41.259 He lost his home. 00:23:41.620 --> 00:23:45.220 Now he was living under the care of a stranger in Lodbar. 00:23:46.420 --> 00:23:50.019 He had lost his wealth and his means of living. 00:23:50.019 --> 00:23:55.920 He lost his father, his grandfather, his family. 00:23:57.099 --> 00:24:03.759 He lost his status going from royal household to enemy of the king. 00:24:05.599 --> 00:24:08.700 And as we've understood in losing his mobility, 00:24:09.339 --> 00:24:12.279 it wasn't ultimately his mobility that he lost, 00:24:12.379 --> 00:24:14.980 but his dignity, his honor. 00:24:14.980 --> 00:24:23.259 So in verse 7, when David proclaims those words, 00:24:23.759 --> 00:24:27.920 I will restore to you all the land of Saul, your father, 00:24:28.559 --> 00:24:31.980 and you shall eat at my table always. 00:24:32.519 --> 00:24:37.860 In those two statements, everything changes. 00:24:37.859 --> 00:24:45.919 The kindness of God categorically reverses everything that Mephibosheth has lost. 00:24:47.219 --> 00:24:48.599 How does that happen? 00:24:50.279 --> 00:24:55.419 In verse 9, David restates that everything that belonged to Saul's house 00:24:55.419 --> 00:24:57.319 is given to Mephibosheth. 00:24:57.319 --> 00:25:03.339 In verse 10, David provides servants to Mephibosheth to work the land, 00:25:03.679 --> 00:25:06.079 to steward his property. 00:25:06.879 --> 00:25:08.919 His wealth is now restored. 00:25:09.079 --> 00:25:10.279 He has his own home. 00:25:10.819 --> 00:25:12.960 He has his own means of living. 00:25:15.039 --> 00:25:19.139 More importantly, David also says that, 00:25:19.140 --> 00:25:23.380 you will now eat at my table always. 00:25:24.259 --> 00:25:28.259 And we know also that this phrase is packed with importance 00:25:28.259 --> 00:25:30.600 because he says this three more times. 00:25:30.720 --> 00:25:33.320 The author writes this three more times in this chapter. 00:25:33.740 --> 00:25:36.540 You will eat at my table always. 00:25:37.700 --> 00:25:40.340 Because to eat at someone's table 00:25:40.340 --> 00:25:44.420 is not just like grabbing McDonald's and sitting at that counter. 00:25:44.420 --> 00:25:49.840 In biblical times, eating with a person was identifying with them, 00:25:50.080 --> 00:25:52.519 was fellowship with them. 00:25:53.180 --> 00:25:56.880 And that's why in verse 10, David is so explicit. 00:25:58.060 --> 00:26:02.259 Yes, Mephibosheth, you will have servants to work your land. 00:26:02.360 --> 00:26:04.160 You will have your own food. 00:26:04.700 --> 00:26:05.980 You will be provided for. 00:26:06.060 --> 00:26:08.759 You could eat your own food all the time, 00:26:08.840 --> 00:26:11.519 every day, all the time, for as long as you want. 00:26:11.519 --> 00:26:16.379 But you actually shall always eat at my table, 00:26:17.000 --> 00:26:19.339 in my family. 00:26:20.279 --> 00:26:22.920 You have your own food that you can eat, 00:26:23.000 --> 00:26:25.259 but this is about relationship. 00:26:25.960 --> 00:26:27.420 This is about family. 00:26:29.339 --> 00:26:32.460 And that's why in verse 11, the writer says, 00:26:32.799 --> 00:26:34.879 Mephibosheth ate at David's table 00:26:34.879 --> 00:26:38.660 like one of the king's sons. 00:26:38.660 --> 00:26:42.759 Like one of the king's sons. 00:26:44.259 --> 00:26:46.240 And next, the author also mentions 00:26:46.240 --> 00:26:49.480 that Mephibosheth has a young son, Micah. 00:26:50.880 --> 00:26:53.440 And later, we know, if you read on in the Bible, 00:26:53.580 --> 00:26:56.300 you know that Micah has a number of other offspring 00:26:56.300 --> 00:26:58.019 in a genealogy. 00:26:58.700 --> 00:27:00.320 And so what does this tell us? 00:27:00.660 --> 00:27:04.380 It tells us that Mephibosheth goes from a dead dog, 00:27:04.380 --> 00:27:07.280 a suffering enemy of the king. 00:27:08.500 --> 00:27:10.740 And now, because of David's kindness, 00:27:10.920 --> 00:27:12.500 because of the kindness of God, 00:27:13.180 --> 00:27:15.320 he has become the son of the king. 00:27:16.240 --> 00:27:19.160 And he brings forth life. 00:27:20.660 --> 00:27:21.560 Isn't that amazing? 00:27:22.860 --> 00:27:23.780 Isn't that amazing? 00:27:23.779 --> 00:27:28.839 And finally, in this passage, 00:27:28.980 --> 00:27:31.700 we see that as Mephibosheth is welcomed 00:27:31.700 --> 00:27:33.220 into King David's household, 00:27:33.460 --> 00:27:35.240 we read again in verse 13, 00:27:35.899 --> 00:27:38.440 so Mephibosheth lived in Jerusalem, 00:27:39.399 --> 00:27:42.819 for he ate always at the king's table. 00:27:44.079 --> 00:27:45.779 Now, he was lame in both his feet. 00:27:47.000 --> 00:27:47.680 The end. 00:27:49.200 --> 00:27:51.420 Now, that conclusion can seem 00:27:51.420 --> 00:27:53.039 a little jarring at first, right? 00:27:54.480 --> 00:27:56.800 It doesn't seem like the stuff 00:27:56.800 --> 00:27:58.660 that fairy tales are made of. 00:27:58.940 --> 00:27:59.640 Roll credits. 00:28:00.480 --> 00:28:01.900 A picture of his lame feet. 00:28:04.560 --> 00:28:06.300 It's an odd way, maybe, 00:28:06.360 --> 00:28:07.940 it seems to conclude the story. 00:28:08.100 --> 00:28:09.740 And it's really clear, 00:28:10.120 --> 00:28:11.720 I think the author is making it clear, 00:28:11.860 --> 00:28:13.940 that the lameness in Mephibosheth 00:28:13.940 --> 00:28:16.720 was not miraculously healed, 00:28:17.519 --> 00:28:19.519 even though presumably that was possible. 00:28:21.420 --> 00:28:24.019 And I think the real reason behind this 00:28:24.019 --> 00:28:26.840 is that the miracle of Mephibosheth 00:28:26.840 --> 00:28:30.960 is that this broken and disabled man 00:28:30.960 --> 00:28:32.360 has his dignity, 00:28:32.960 --> 00:28:35.340 his honor restored to him, 00:28:35.660 --> 00:28:38.300 despite his lameness, 00:28:39.460 --> 00:28:41.480 despite being disabled. 00:28:41.480 --> 00:28:45.660 It's not a superficial solution 00:28:45.660 --> 00:28:48.519 that promotes self-sufficiency, 00:28:49.099 --> 00:28:51.440 but it's something that goes 00:28:51.440 --> 00:28:53.000 to the core of his need, 00:28:53.420 --> 00:28:55.440 the part of his soul that he lost 00:28:55.440 --> 00:28:57.019 when he lost everything. 00:28:57.299 --> 00:28:59.740 His honor is bestowed from outside, 00:29:00.819 --> 00:29:02.759 from the king who welcomes him 00:29:02.759 --> 00:29:04.000 as a son. 00:29:04.880 --> 00:29:07.160 It doesn't matter what his physical state 00:29:07.160 --> 00:29:08.720 he's in, 00:29:08.720 --> 00:29:10.680 he is the king's son 00:29:10.680 --> 00:29:12.799 who eats at the king's table. 00:29:14.100 --> 00:29:17.059 There is honor and dignity 00:29:17.059 --> 00:29:18.339 beyond anything 00:29:18.339 --> 00:29:20.519 that the world could provide him. 00:29:21.559 --> 00:29:25.180 This is God's life-changing kindness. 00:29:25.180 --> 00:29:29.860 So friends, 00:29:29.980 --> 00:29:32.299 what is all of that happening 00:29:32.299 --> 00:29:34.759 a couple thousand years ago, 00:29:34.960 --> 00:29:36.080 three thousand years ago? 00:29:36.100 --> 00:29:37.519 What does that have to do with us 00:29:37.519 --> 00:29:39.060 this morning, 00:29:39.880 --> 00:29:40.920 whether we're Christians 00:29:40.920 --> 00:29:43.560 or non-Christians sitting here? 00:29:45.640 --> 00:29:46.860 And I think it's that 00:29:46.860 --> 00:29:48.920 when we hear the story 00:29:48.920 --> 00:29:50.320 of Mephibosheth's suffering, 00:29:50.319 --> 00:29:54.179 I think a lot of those themes 00:29:54.179 --> 00:29:56.599 resonate with us. 00:29:57.740 --> 00:29:59.639 You know, the idea of being born 00:29:59.639 --> 00:30:03.179 into a world of turmoil and strife. 00:30:05.179 --> 00:30:07.659 You only need to turn on the news 00:30:07.659 --> 00:30:10.439 and read a few pages 00:30:10.439 --> 00:30:12.019 or listen for a few minutes 00:30:12.019 --> 00:30:13.359 before you start feeling sick 00:30:13.359 --> 00:30:13.980 in your stomach 00:30:13.980 --> 00:30:16.480 about all that's happening. 00:30:16.480 --> 00:30:19.279 You just really need to open your eyes 00:30:19.279 --> 00:30:21.559 to the stories that you hear, 00:30:21.720 --> 00:30:23.220 the struggles that you hear. 00:30:24.279 --> 00:30:26.339 You just need to be honest 00:30:26.339 --> 00:30:27.279 and open your heart 00:30:27.279 --> 00:30:29.160 just like we heard from Brian earlier 00:30:29.160 --> 00:30:31.160 about what's really going on 00:30:31.160 --> 00:30:32.620 in our own hearts. 00:30:35.460 --> 00:30:37.519 Some of us wrestle with the fact 00:30:37.519 --> 00:30:39.120 that our hopes and dreams, 00:30:39.940 --> 00:30:41.259 perhaps like Mephibosheth, 00:30:41.259 --> 00:30:42.940 those dreams were just 00:30:42.940 --> 00:30:44.819 ripped out from beneath us. 00:30:46.480 --> 00:30:47.980 Ruined because of things 00:30:47.980 --> 00:30:49.519 outside of our control. 00:30:50.299 --> 00:30:53.039 So much potential and purpose 00:30:53.039 --> 00:30:55.480 lost and squandered. 00:30:56.259 --> 00:30:57.720 Maybe a dream job 00:30:57.720 --> 00:30:58.700 that just slipped 00:30:58.700 --> 00:31:01.460 through your fingertips. 00:31:02.400 --> 00:31:04.099 A dream career 00:31:04.099 --> 00:31:06.019 that never materialized. 00:31:06.960 --> 00:31:09.299 Lost hope to build a family 00:31:09.299 --> 00:31:10.160 or a home. 00:31:11.900 --> 00:31:12.799 You know, some of us here 00:31:12.799 --> 00:31:13.640 have suffered, 00:31:13.839 --> 00:31:14.819 like Mephibosheth, 00:31:14.819 --> 00:31:17.259 the tragic loss 00:31:17.259 --> 00:31:19.019 of family members. 00:31:20.419 --> 00:31:22.659 Some of us are really dealing 00:31:22.659 --> 00:31:25.480 with major family issues 00:31:25.480 --> 00:31:26.759 in our lives right now. 00:31:28.539 --> 00:31:30.019 All of us experience 00:31:30.019 --> 00:31:32.259 the pain of dysfunction 00:31:32.259 --> 00:31:33.259 in our families. 00:31:34.439 --> 00:31:35.299 You know, maybe it's not 00:31:35.299 --> 00:31:36.879 to the same extent 00:31:36.879 --> 00:31:38.079 that Mephibosheth 00:31:38.079 --> 00:31:39.519 and Saul went through. 00:31:39.519 --> 00:31:42.619 But we all deal with 00:31:42.619 --> 00:31:44.400 our environment, 00:31:44.859 --> 00:31:46.139 generational sin, 00:31:46.759 --> 00:31:48.119 the worst combination 00:31:48.119 --> 00:31:50.019 of nature and nurture. 00:31:50.240 --> 00:31:51.180 You know, when you see 00:31:51.180 --> 00:31:52.119 that the addictions 00:31:52.119 --> 00:31:53.839 and the genes 00:31:53.839 --> 00:31:55.079 and the bad habits 00:31:55.079 --> 00:31:56.119 and the brokenness 00:31:56.119 --> 00:31:57.139 and the consequences 00:31:57.139 --> 00:31:58.339 of poor decisions 00:31:58.339 --> 00:32:00.400 made by your forefathers 00:32:00.400 --> 00:32:03.279 shaping your life today. 00:32:03.279 --> 00:32:07.660 And it's not only just 00:32:07.660 --> 00:32:09.059 that kind of suffering, 00:32:09.180 --> 00:32:10.039 but we all suffer 00:32:10.039 --> 00:32:11.819 from being an enemy 00:32:11.819 --> 00:32:13.059 to the king. 00:32:13.859 --> 00:32:15.299 Not a human king 00:32:15.299 --> 00:32:16.259 like King David. 00:32:16.779 --> 00:32:18.119 Not a human government, 00:32:18.559 --> 00:32:19.220 but the king 00:32:19.220 --> 00:32:21.420 who created the universe. 00:32:22.139 --> 00:32:23.599 Who created this world. 00:32:23.720 --> 00:32:25.339 Who created you and I. 00:32:25.720 --> 00:32:28.059 A God who lovingly created us 00:32:28.059 --> 00:32:29.279 so that we could lovingly 00:32:29.859 --> 00:32:31.079 worship him. 00:32:31.079 --> 00:32:33.159 But every day 00:32:33.159 --> 00:32:34.299 we struggle with being 00:32:34.299 --> 00:32:35.679 enemies of this king 00:32:35.679 --> 00:32:37.099 because we choose 00:32:37.099 --> 00:32:38.059 to ignore him. 00:32:38.619 --> 00:32:39.740 We choose to serve 00:32:39.740 --> 00:32:41.039 ourselves instead. 00:32:42.359 --> 00:32:43.079 And like Mephibosheth's 00:32:43.740 --> 00:32:44.619 tragic story, 00:32:44.720 --> 00:32:45.919 I think the story 00:32:45.919 --> 00:32:46.759 of humanity 00:32:46.759 --> 00:32:47.919 is actually 00:32:47.919 --> 00:32:49.839 incredibly tragic. 00:32:51.099 --> 00:32:53.079 Because God created us. 00:32:54.740 --> 00:32:55.939 The Bible tells us 00:32:55.939 --> 00:32:57.000 God created us 00:32:57.000 --> 00:32:58.419 to take care of this world 00:32:58.419 --> 00:32:59.480 on his behalf. 00:32:59.480 --> 00:33:01.480 to take care of it 00:33:01.480 --> 00:33:02.640 because we love him 00:33:02.640 --> 00:33:03.460 and we love 00:33:03.460 --> 00:33:04.660 what he's created. 00:33:04.860 --> 00:33:06.759 But in our endless pursuit 00:33:06.759 --> 00:33:07.980 to be better, 00:33:08.500 --> 00:33:09.019 stronger, 00:33:09.299 --> 00:33:09.860 faster, 00:33:10.640 --> 00:33:12.740 better than the next person, 00:33:13.740 --> 00:33:14.099 prettier, 00:33:14.400 --> 00:33:14.860 smarter, 00:33:15.920 --> 00:33:17.180 we've basically 00:33:17.180 --> 00:33:18.319 crushed each other, 00:33:18.400 --> 00:33:19.460 we've crushed ourselves, 00:33:19.880 --> 00:33:21.000 and we're destroying 00:33:21.000 --> 00:33:22.240 each other in creation. 00:33:22.720 --> 00:33:22.839 You know, 00:33:22.900 --> 00:33:23.860 everything I think 00:33:23.860 --> 00:33:24.519 that's wrong 00:33:24.519 --> 00:33:25.519 with the world today 00:33:25.519 --> 00:33:27.059 from self-loathing 00:33:27.059 --> 00:33:28.980 to world wars 00:33:28.980 --> 00:33:30.460 is because of our 00:33:30.460 --> 00:33:31.440 rejection of God. 00:33:32.519 --> 00:33:33.879 And so that's what we mean 00:33:33.879 --> 00:33:35.139 when we say sin. 00:33:36.619 --> 00:33:37.740 The sin makes us 00:33:37.740 --> 00:33:38.400 like a bunch 00:33:38.400 --> 00:33:40.139 of dead dogs. 00:33:40.859 --> 00:33:41.920 Perhaps living 00:33:41.920 --> 00:33:42.519 and breathing, 00:33:43.720 --> 00:33:45.180 but spiritually dead, 00:33:46.319 --> 00:33:47.539 separated from God. 00:33:47.539 --> 00:33:50.099 and that's what we deserve, 00:33:50.319 --> 00:33:51.480 just like Mephibosheth. 00:33:53.639 --> 00:33:55.500 And just like in that story, 00:33:55.619 --> 00:33:56.259 it's under this, 00:33:56.500 --> 00:33:57.519 behind this backdrop 00:33:57.519 --> 00:33:58.899 of sin 00:33:58.899 --> 00:33:59.819 and suffering 00:33:59.819 --> 00:34:00.619 that God 00:34:00.619 --> 00:34:01.980 intervenes. 00:34:03.759 --> 00:34:05.159 Whatever you're suffering 00:34:05.159 --> 00:34:06.819 through in your seats today, 00:34:06.920 --> 00:34:08.119 in your life today, 00:34:08.119 --> 00:34:10.440 I think this story 00:34:10.440 --> 00:34:11.299 of Mephibosheth 00:34:11.299 --> 00:34:13.099 is God's message 00:34:13.099 --> 00:34:14.199 to you 00:34:14.199 --> 00:34:15.179 and to me. 00:34:16.039 --> 00:34:17.759 That he remembers you. 00:34:20.880 --> 00:34:22.179 He remembers you 00:34:22.179 --> 00:34:22.880 in your pain. 00:34:23.739 --> 00:34:24.980 He remembers you 00:34:24.980 --> 00:34:25.739 in your sin 00:34:25.739 --> 00:34:26.920 and your suffering. 00:34:27.880 --> 00:34:29.059 He doesn't want you 00:34:29.059 --> 00:34:29.839 to be his enemy. 00:34:30.900 --> 00:34:32.119 He wants to show you 00:34:32.119 --> 00:34:33.099 his kindness, 00:34:33.339 --> 00:34:34.159 his chesed. 00:34:36.039 --> 00:34:36.259 You know, 00:34:36.319 --> 00:34:37.139 in the story 00:34:37.139 --> 00:34:38.139 that we just heard, 00:34:38.299 --> 00:34:39.900 David was the conduit 00:34:39.900 --> 00:34:41.900 of God's kindness. 00:34:42.159 --> 00:34:43.039 But as we know, 00:34:43.400 --> 00:34:44.559 a thousand years 00:34:44.559 --> 00:34:45.319 after him, 00:34:45.679 --> 00:34:46.279 a man called 00:34:46.279 --> 00:34:47.440 Jesus of Nazareth 00:34:47.440 --> 00:34:48.599 was born 00:34:48.599 --> 00:34:49.639 into the same world. 00:34:50.900 --> 00:34:51.819 Not only that, 00:34:51.879 --> 00:34:52.819 he was actually born 00:34:52.819 --> 00:34:54.639 from David's line. 00:34:55.159 --> 00:34:56.059 He was part 00:34:56.059 --> 00:34:57.139 of the house of David. 00:34:57.559 --> 00:34:58.960 And in every way, 00:34:59.139 --> 00:35:00.019 he was filled 00:35:00.019 --> 00:35:00.839 with the kindness 00:35:00.839 --> 00:35:02.139 of David. 00:35:03.139 --> 00:35:04.559 But unlike David, 00:35:05.319 --> 00:35:06.139 Jesus was actually 00:35:06.139 --> 00:35:07.139 perfect. 00:35:07.139 --> 00:35:09.739 He was God 00:35:09.739 --> 00:35:11.400 in human form. 00:35:11.960 --> 00:35:13.099 David was still broken. 00:35:13.299 --> 00:35:14.659 He still made mistakes. 00:35:14.799 --> 00:35:15.639 But Jesus walked 00:35:15.639 --> 00:35:16.179 this earth 00:35:16.179 --> 00:35:17.299 sinless, 00:35:18.299 --> 00:35:19.519 welcoming those 00:35:19.519 --> 00:35:20.440 who suffered, 00:35:21.639 --> 00:35:22.139 sharing tables 00:35:22.679 --> 00:35:24.079 with self-professed 00:35:24.079 --> 00:35:24.400 sinners. 00:35:25.259 --> 00:35:26.420 He healed the lame. 00:35:26.559 --> 00:35:27.940 He forgave sins. 00:35:28.019 --> 00:35:29.199 And he gave dignity 00:35:29.199 --> 00:35:30.420 and honor 00:35:30.420 --> 00:35:32.039 to those who had none. 00:35:32.039 --> 00:35:33.860 You know, 00:35:33.920 --> 00:35:34.940 David made a covenant 00:35:34.940 --> 00:35:36.000 with Jonathan, 00:35:36.320 --> 00:35:37.440 which was wonderful. 00:35:37.559 --> 00:35:38.259 But Jesus, 00:35:39.300 --> 00:35:40.360 he made a covenant 00:35:40.360 --> 00:35:42.079 with all humanity. 00:35:43.480 --> 00:35:44.639 Remember what he said 00:35:44.639 --> 00:35:45.619 on the night 00:35:45.619 --> 00:35:46.980 before his crucifixion. 00:35:48.019 --> 00:35:48.599 Remember he took 00:35:48.599 --> 00:35:49.480 a cup of wine 00:35:49.480 --> 00:35:50.059 and gave it 00:35:50.059 --> 00:35:51.019 to his disciples. 00:35:51.199 --> 00:35:51.519 He said, 00:35:52.159 --> 00:35:52.659 drink it, 00:35:52.739 --> 00:35:53.679 for this is 00:35:53.679 --> 00:35:54.960 my blood 00:35:54.960 --> 00:35:56.139 of the covenant, 00:35:56.559 --> 00:35:57.619 which is poured 00:35:57.619 --> 00:35:58.659 out for many 00:35:58.659 --> 00:35:59.980 for the forgiveness 00:35:59.980 --> 00:36:00.740 of sins. 00:36:02.820 --> 00:36:03.780 David's covenant, 00:36:04.199 --> 00:36:05.360 it cost him 00:36:05.360 --> 00:36:07.079 everything that he 00:36:07.079 --> 00:36:07.619 offered 00:36:07.619 --> 00:36:09.079 to Mephibosheth, 00:36:09.659 --> 00:36:11.280 which was 00:36:11.280 --> 00:36:12.119 significant, 00:36:12.500 --> 00:36:13.179 but nothing 00:36:13.179 --> 00:36:13.860 compared 00:36:13.860 --> 00:36:15.240 to Jesus' 00:36:15.500 --> 00:36:16.340 covenant with us 00:36:16.340 --> 00:36:17.000 because that 00:36:17.000 --> 00:36:17.820 cost him 00:36:17.820 --> 00:36:19.240 his own life 00:36:19.240 --> 00:36:19.940 on the cross. 00:36:23.280 --> 00:36:25.099 His own life 00:36:25.099 --> 00:36:26.579 on that cross 00:36:26.579 --> 00:36:28.480 wasn't just material. 00:36:28.480 --> 00:36:29.840 It was his own 00:36:29.840 --> 00:36:30.699 separation 00:36:30.699 --> 00:36:33.099 from God. 00:36:34.760 --> 00:36:36.019 We deserved 00:36:36.019 --> 00:36:36.740 that death. 00:36:37.179 --> 00:36:37.780 We deserved 00:36:37.780 --> 00:36:38.659 that separation, 00:36:38.980 --> 00:36:39.699 but he went 00:36:39.699 --> 00:36:40.079 through it 00:36:40.079 --> 00:36:40.880 in our place. 00:36:41.219 --> 00:36:41.740 And through 00:36:41.740 --> 00:36:42.820 this covenant, 00:36:43.000 --> 00:36:43.860 this new covenant 00:36:43.860 --> 00:36:45.179 that Jesus brought in, 00:36:45.500 --> 00:36:46.940 God now welcomes us. 00:36:47.340 --> 00:36:48.280 He can welcome us 00:36:48.280 --> 00:36:50.480 into his royal household. 00:36:51.059 --> 00:36:51.440 We, 00:36:51.599 --> 00:36:52.579 as suffering enemies, 00:36:52.840 --> 00:36:53.199 welcomed 00:36:53.199 --> 00:36:54.980 into the king's table. 00:36:56.599 --> 00:36:57.300 And church, 00:36:57.300 --> 00:36:58.000 when you read 00:36:58.000 --> 00:36:58.500 the Bible, 00:36:58.620 --> 00:36:59.039 you'll notice 00:36:59.039 --> 00:36:59.680 that one of the 00:36:59.680 --> 00:37:00.620 most prominent 00:37:00.620 --> 00:37:02.539 symbols of eternal 00:37:02.539 --> 00:37:03.100 life, 00:37:03.100 --> 00:37:04.680 of heavenly blessing, 00:37:04.680 --> 00:37:06.060 is this idea 00:37:06.060 --> 00:37:07.180 of a great banquet 00:37:07.180 --> 00:37:08.980 or a wedding feast. 00:37:10.980 --> 00:37:12.740 And just like David, 00:37:13.260 --> 00:37:14.800 Jesus says to us, 00:37:15.300 --> 00:37:15.660 come, 00:37:16.240 --> 00:37:17.680 come to my table, 00:37:18.380 --> 00:37:19.720 come to this banquet, 00:37:20.460 --> 00:37:21.420 come into eternal 00:37:21.420 --> 00:37:22.019 blessing 00:37:22.019 --> 00:37:23.620 and life. 00:37:23.619 --> 00:37:26.940 And so our choice 00:37:26.940 --> 00:37:27.539 this morning 00:37:27.539 --> 00:37:28.599 is how to respond 00:37:28.599 --> 00:37:30.219 to that invitation. 00:37:31.539 --> 00:37:31.679 Now, 00:37:31.719 --> 00:37:32.559 I guess Mephibosheth 00:37:32.559 --> 00:37:33.259 could have said 00:37:33.259 --> 00:37:35.159 no to David. 00:37:35.880 --> 00:37:37.039 He could have left 00:37:37.039 --> 00:37:38.859 disabled 00:37:38.859 --> 00:37:40.559 thinking he could 00:37:40.559 --> 00:37:41.239 muster up 00:37:41.239 --> 00:37:42.659 the wherewithal 00:37:42.659 --> 00:37:43.500 to get through 00:37:43.500 --> 00:37:44.739 the rest of his life. 00:37:45.599 --> 00:37:46.480 He could have 00:37:46.480 --> 00:37:47.480 pretended that he 00:37:47.480 --> 00:37:48.019 wasn't 00:37:48.019 --> 00:37:49.119 the enemy 00:37:49.119 --> 00:37:49.719 of the king. 00:37:49.719 --> 00:37:52.219 But I think 00:37:52.219 --> 00:37:52.719 the story 00:37:52.719 --> 00:37:53.379 tells us 00:37:53.379 --> 00:37:54.179 that he knew 00:37:54.179 --> 00:37:54.839 exactly 00:37:54.839 --> 00:37:55.799 what his 00:37:55.799 --> 00:37:56.699 predicament was. 00:37:57.239 --> 00:37:57.659 And so he 00:37:57.659 --> 00:37:58.819 joyfully accepted 00:37:58.819 --> 00:37:59.739 the king's kindness. 00:38:01.699 --> 00:38:02.659 And likewise, 00:38:03.039 --> 00:38:04.299 every one of us 00:38:04.299 --> 00:38:05.879 in this room 00:38:05.879 --> 00:38:06.480 right now, 00:38:07.239 --> 00:38:07.719 whether we're 00:38:07.719 --> 00:38:08.599 non-Christians 00:38:08.599 --> 00:38:09.259 or we've been 00:38:09.259 --> 00:38:10.659 Christians for decades, 00:38:11.359 --> 00:38:12.839 every one of us 00:38:12.839 --> 00:38:13.699 has a choice 00:38:13.699 --> 00:38:15.339 whether or not 00:38:15.339 --> 00:38:16.119 to accept 00:38:16.119 --> 00:38:17.839 or to continue 00:38:17.839 --> 00:38:18.699 accepting 00:38:18.699 --> 00:38:20.279 the kindness 00:38:20.279 --> 00:38:20.900 of God. 00:38:24.779 --> 00:38:25.880 When you've 00:38:25.880 --> 00:38:27.159 been forgiven, 00:38:28.000 --> 00:38:28.699 when you've 00:38:28.699 --> 00:38:29.920 accepted that kindness, 00:38:30.079 --> 00:38:30.539 when you've been 00:38:30.539 --> 00:38:31.059 welcomed 00:38:31.059 --> 00:38:32.519 to the table, 00:38:32.639 --> 00:38:33.099 when you've been 00:38:33.099 --> 00:38:33.960 adopted by the 00:38:33.960 --> 00:38:34.839 king of the universe, 00:38:35.859 --> 00:38:36.739 when you know 00:38:36.739 --> 00:38:37.279 that you have 00:38:37.279 --> 00:38:38.299 an eternal home 00:38:38.299 --> 00:38:39.420 that's completely 00:38:39.420 --> 00:38:41.059 free from death 00:38:41.059 --> 00:38:41.599 and pain 00:38:41.599 --> 00:38:42.279 and suffering, 00:38:43.019 --> 00:38:44.440 you begin to see 00:38:44.440 --> 00:38:44.960 this life 00:38:44.960 --> 00:38:45.659 a little differently. 00:38:46.639 --> 00:38:47.319 That's what 00:38:47.319 --> 00:38:47.779 happened 00:38:47.779 --> 00:38:49.279 to Mephibosheth. 00:38:50.519 --> 00:38:51.719 If you read on 00:38:51.719 --> 00:38:52.759 in Samuel tonight, 00:38:52.859 --> 00:38:53.420 you'll see 00:38:53.420 --> 00:38:54.920 that much later 00:38:54.920 --> 00:38:55.500 in the story 00:38:55.500 --> 00:38:56.239 of Mephibosheth, 00:38:56.440 --> 00:38:57.000 he's actually 00:38:57.000 --> 00:38:58.019 falsely accused 00:38:58.019 --> 00:38:58.639 of plotting 00:38:58.639 --> 00:38:59.519 against David. 00:39:00.679 --> 00:39:01.639 And he's now 00:39:01.639 --> 00:39:02.159 in danger 00:39:02.159 --> 00:39:02.759 of losing 00:39:02.759 --> 00:39:03.779 all his property 00:39:03.779 --> 00:39:04.400 once again. 00:39:05.679 --> 00:39:06.500 And instead 00:39:06.500 --> 00:39:07.279 of complaining 00:39:07.279 --> 00:39:08.480 and freaking out 00:39:08.480 --> 00:39:10.359 and cursing God, 00:39:11.159 --> 00:39:11.839 he basically 00:39:11.839 --> 00:39:12.819 tells David 00:39:12.819 --> 00:39:13.920 as David 00:39:13.920 --> 00:39:15.019 returns from war, 00:39:15.099 --> 00:39:15.460 he says, 00:39:15.460 --> 00:39:16.440 I'm just 00:39:16.440 --> 00:39:16.940 grateful 00:39:16.940 --> 00:39:18.179 to be alive 00:39:18.179 --> 00:39:19.300 and to be 00:39:19.300 --> 00:39:20.139 in your presence. 00:39:21.260 --> 00:39:22.360 Do whatever 00:39:22.360 --> 00:39:22.840 you want 00:39:22.840 --> 00:39:23.960 with my property. 00:39:25.360 --> 00:39:26.579 The king's 00:39:26.579 --> 00:39:27.019 kindness 00:39:27.019 --> 00:39:28.519 has now 00:39:28.519 --> 00:39:29.420 overflowed 00:39:29.420 --> 00:39:31.860 from Mephibosheth's 00:39:31.860 --> 00:39:32.159 heart. 00:39:35.360 --> 00:39:36.119 Church, 00:39:36.240 --> 00:39:36.539 you see 00:39:36.539 --> 00:39:37.480 that a person 00:39:37.480 --> 00:39:38.659 who understands 00:39:38.659 --> 00:39:39.320 suffering, 00:39:40.480 --> 00:39:41.320 who understands 00:39:41.320 --> 00:39:42.059 that they 00:39:42.059 --> 00:39:42.840 are an enemy 00:39:42.840 --> 00:39:43.740 of the king 00:39:43.740 --> 00:39:44.420 will gladly 00:39:44.420 --> 00:39:45.140 receive his 00:39:45.140 --> 00:39:45.480 kindness. 00:39:46.680 --> 00:39:48.019 So how are you 00:39:48.019 --> 00:39:49.579 suffering today? 00:39:51.740 --> 00:39:53.000 What's the sin 00:39:53.000 --> 00:39:54.059 and brokenness 00:39:54.059 --> 00:39:55.360 that you're 00:39:55.360 --> 00:39:56.140 struggling with? 00:39:58.620 --> 00:39:59.380 You, 00:39:59.519 --> 00:40:00.940 you who's 00:40:00.940 --> 00:40:01.900 suffering from 00:40:01.900 --> 00:40:02.780 sickness 00:40:02.780 --> 00:40:05.220 and disability, 00:40:06.059 --> 00:40:07.780 God remembers 00:40:07.780 --> 00:40:09.300 you this morning 00:40:09.300 --> 00:40:09.960 and he says, 00:40:10.120 --> 00:40:10.380 come, 00:40:10.820 --> 00:40:12.019 come to my 00:40:12.019 --> 00:40:12.400 table, 00:40:13.260 --> 00:40:14.700 come and eat. 00:40:16.080 --> 00:40:17.019 You who's 00:40:17.019 --> 00:40:18.400 wrestling with 00:40:18.400 --> 00:40:18.980 addiction 00:40:18.980 --> 00:40:20.960 and lust 00:40:20.960 --> 00:40:22.320 or whatever 00:40:22.320 --> 00:40:22.820 it is, 00:40:22.980 --> 00:40:23.580 he's saying, 00:40:24.120 --> 00:40:24.640 God's saying 00:40:24.640 --> 00:40:25.720 he remembers you. 00:40:26.280 --> 00:40:26.640 Come, 00:40:27.519 --> 00:40:28.400 come to my 00:40:28.400 --> 00:40:28.780 table. 00:40:30.780 --> 00:40:31.820 You who's 00:40:31.820 --> 00:40:32.519 torn 00:40:32.519 --> 00:40:34.560 within a 00:40:34.560 --> 00:40:35.560 broken family, 00:40:35.559 --> 00:40:38.179 God remembers 00:40:38.179 --> 00:40:38.779 you and he 00:40:38.779 --> 00:40:39.000 says, 00:40:39.139 --> 00:40:39.400 come, 00:40:39.500 --> 00:40:40.219 come to my 00:40:40.219 --> 00:40:40.599 table. 00:40:42.699 --> 00:40:43.440 You who's 00:40:43.440 --> 00:40:43.719 in the 00:40:43.719 --> 00:40:44.199 despair 00:40:44.199 --> 00:40:45.299 of loneliness 00:40:45.299 --> 00:40:48.159 and fear 00:40:48.159 --> 00:40:50.719 and solitude, 00:40:51.619 --> 00:40:52.320 God says, 00:40:52.440 --> 00:40:52.699 come, 00:40:52.820 --> 00:40:53.239 come into 00:40:53.239 --> 00:40:54.000 my family, 00:40:54.579 --> 00:40:54.940 come to 00:40:54.940 --> 00:40:55.480 my table. 00:40:56.980 --> 00:40:57.980 You who's 00:40:57.980 --> 00:40:58.579 drowning 00:40:58.579 --> 00:40:59.980 under the 00:40:59.980 --> 00:41:00.840 expectations 00:41:00.840 --> 00:41:02.239 of this 00:41:02.239 --> 00:41:02.599 world, 00:41:03.539 --> 00:41:04.199 God says, 00:41:04.340 --> 00:41:04.619 come, 00:41:04.619 --> 00:41:05.900 my burden 00:41:05.900 --> 00:41:06.500 is light, 00:41:07.559 --> 00:41:08.659 come to 00:41:08.659 --> 00:41:09.219 my table. 00:41:11.339 --> 00:41:12.500 You who's 00:41:12.500 --> 00:41:14.139 lost 00:41:14.139 --> 00:41:14.839 without 00:41:14.839 --> 00:41:15.440 purpose 00:41:15.440 --> 00:41:16.460 in life, 00:41:18.179 --> 00:41:19.099 God says, 00:41:19.219 --> 00:41:19.460 come, 00:41:19.900 --> 00:41:20.739 come to 00:41:20.739 --> 00:41:21.259 my table, 00:41:21.359 --> 00:41:21.900 I remember 00:41:21.900 --> 00:41:22.219 you, 00:41:22.539 --> 00:41:23.019 I have a 00:41:23.019 --> 00:41:23.619 purpose for 00:41:23.619 --> 00:41:23.819 you. 00:41:25.179 --> 00:41:26.219 All of us 00:41:26.219 --> 00:41:26.619 sinners 00:41:26.619 --> 00:41:27.960 without 00:41:27.960 --> 00:41:28.519 eternal 00:41:28.519 --> 00:41:29.179 hope, 00:41:29.279 --> 00:41:29.679 God says, 00:41:29.819 --> 00:41:30.079 come, 00:41:30.519 --> 00:41:31.319 come to 00:41:31.319 --> 00:41:31.920 my table 00:41:31.920 --> 00:41:32.759 because I 00:41:32.759 --> 00:41:33.079 remember 00:41:33.079 --> 00:41:33.380 you. 00:41:34.619 --> 00:41:36.739 And 00:41:36.739 --> 00:41:37.139 tomorrow, 00:41:37.299 --> 00:41:37.719 when things 00:41:37.719 --> 00:41:38.299 get crazy 00:41:38.299 --> 00:41:38.900 this week, 00:41:39.900 --> 00:41:40.480 just remember 00:41:40.480 --> 00:41:41.039 that the 00:41:41.039 --> 00:41:41.559 cross of 00:41:41.559 --> 00:41:42.420 Christ is 00:41:42.420 --> 00:41:44.639 rock-solid 00:41:44.639 --> 00:41:45.679 proof that 00:41:45.679 --> 00:41:46.719 God remembers 00:41:46.719 --> 00:41:47.059 you. 00:41:48.079 --> 00:41:48.279 You know, 00:41:48.319 --> 00:41:49.039 his kindness, 00:41:50.000 --> 00:41:50.839 his chesed, 00:41:51.219 --> 00:41:52.079 that's what's 00:41:52.079 --> 00:41:52.480 going to bring 00:41:52.480 --> 00:41:52.920 you home. 00:41:53.719 --> 00:41:54.179 Let's pray 00:41:54.179 --> 00:41:54.539 together. 00:41:54.539 --> 00:41:54.639 together.