A PLACE AT THE KING’S TABLE

This weekend millions of people around the world will pause to think about Jesus.  Practically the whole world will recognize something this weekend that Christian’s think about every week of their lives.  Jesus Christ was crucified on Mount Calvary, buried in a borrowed tomb, and three days later, He was raised from the dead.  The New Testament calls this the Good News, the Gospel (1 Corinthians 15:1-3).  The rest of the Good News is that the King of Kings offers to every person in the world a place in His Kingdom (Titus 2:10-11).

Recently, in our Sunday morning Bible class we studied the life of Mephibosheth. This lesser known man of the Bible was the grandson of King Saul.  He lived a difficult life. Because of Saul’s failures his family was forced to leave the kingdom.  As a small child Mephibosheth, due to a terrible fall became crippled in both feet.  He was taken to the land of Lo-debar. The name Lo-debar means a place without pasture, a place of desolation.  Mephibosheth was destined to live the rest of his life away from his home in a desolate place.

King David, because of his friendship and covenant with Jonathan, son of Saul, sought out Mephibosheth.  When he was found David ordered that he be brought to him. David told Mephibosheth that he would restore to him all the land that had belonged to his grandfather, and that there would be a permanent place reserved for him at the King’s table. (2 Samuel 9:7)

Every child of God has a kinship with Mephibosheth.  Like him, because of the fall we are all crippled.  Like him, because of sin we are alienated from the King and His kingdom. (Ephesians 2:12) Like Mephibosheth we are brought back to the kingdom, not because of some great thing we have done, but because of God’s love. (Ephesians 2:13) We have a perpetual invitation to come to the throne room of the King. (Hebrews 4:14-16) Like him we have a permanent seat at the King’s table. (Mark 14:25)

As we gather around the table of the King this week let us be mindful of Mephibosheth. Let us remember where we came from and how we arrived at this moment in our lives. Let us remember that we are all crippled people who have been made whole.  Let us remember that it is because of God’s love that we are able to gather. Let us be thankful for God’s amazing grace that offers us a seat at the King’s table.

Dear God, thank You for loving us when we were crippled. Thank you for sending Your Son into the world to find all of us who were lost. Thank You, Father for inviting us to sit at the King’s Table. Help us to always remember how we arrived to this place in our lives. Help us to always be thankful for what You have done for us. Help us dear God, to invite others to join us at the Table. Thank you for Your amazing Grace that makes us whole.