Mephibosheth

The fate of Mephibosheth, the son of Jonathan, is much like our own. He was only five years old when his father died. The wet nurse, in view of the approaching danger, took him in haste to flee with him. But as she fled, she dropped the child and he became lame.

The days were difficult for Mephibosheth, not only because of his disability, but also because of the times. With the death of his father Jonathan, and his grandfather Saul, the kingdom of Israel became very unstable politically. There were fratricidal struggles, and in that environment, there was no security for a child related to the outgoing king. So he was taken to live far away, in the desert, in the house of Machir, a kind-hearted man. There the years pass. Mephibosheth grew up under the protection of that man and his servant, Siba.

But one day something happens that will absolutely change his life: David, the king of Israel, remembers Jonathan his friend, and asks if there is anyone from Jonathan's house to whom he can show mercy. Then he hears about Mephibosheth, and sends for him.

When David saw Mephibosheth, he must have seen in him the face, the gestures, some delicate trait of his soul-friend. Perhaps he heard the same timbre of his voice. Then the king's affection for Jonathan was reborn in his heart. And he speaks words of comfort to his son, returns to him the goods that belonged to the family, and says to him: "You shall eat at my table forever". Mephibosheth replies: "Who is your servant, that you should look upon a dead dog like me?". But David insists: "Mephibosheth shall eat at my table, as one of the king's sons".

Now, why is Mephibosheth's story similar to ours? Because at some point in our own history, we had a great misfortune, and we were crippled. Our path was truncated and our life was rendered useless. We could not walk to get closer to God. On the contrary, instead of getting closer, we went into the desert, far, far away.

The years passed, and our destitution was complete; perhaps not so much materially, but spiritually. However, one day, our name was pronounced by the King -Jesus Christ-, and we were taken to the palace. There we did not receive judgment, but mercy. There we were comforted, forgiven and honored. The King seated us at his table, and treated us as princes. Since then, we have eaten at the King's table. Every day we enjoy his company and are sustained by his abundant provision.

Sitting at the King's table we seem to be one among the King's children, the princes of God. However, if you look at us more closely, you will see our lameness. It reveals our former state and our present weakness. It is what we are in ourselves. God allowed us to be paralyzed, so that we would never forget where we were brought from, and what our true condition is.

We are unfailingly crippled; if we are at the King's table, it is only by calling, by God's blessed grace. "He saved us, not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to His mercy" (Titus 3:5).

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