So David said to him, “Do not fear, for I will surely show you kindness for Jonathan your father’s sake, and will restore to you all the land of Saul your grandfather; and you shall eat bread at my table continually.”
— 2 Samuel 9:7
SEVERAL YEARS EARLIER, David made a covenant with Jonathan, Saul’s son. David promised, for Jonathan’s sake, that when he came to the throne, he would treat the family of Saul with great kindness. So once David was on the throne and had been blessed and prospered by God, David sought to find one of Saul’s descendants that he might show kindness.
In the same way that David sought a descendant to show kindness, God is seeking the lost that He might show the exceeding richness of His love and kindness towards them through Jesus Christ. This is what makes Christianity different from religion. In religion, men seek God. In Christianity, God seeks lost men.
Mephibosheth was actually frightened when he was brought to David, because he didn’t know David’s intent. So often we misunderstand God and imagine Him as being angry or disgusted with us. We think He’s seeking us that He might come down on us with a heavy hand. But we’re wrong.
David wanted to bless Mephibosheth for Jonathan’s sake. God wants to bless us for Christ’s sake.
IT’S NOT BECAUSE WE DESERVE IT—IT’S BECAUSE JESUS WANTS US AS HIS INHERITANCE.
Just as Mephibosheth dined at the king’s table as part of the king’s family, we too have been brought into the family of God and invited to come and sit at His table.
Thank You, Father, for the joy, the blessing, and the richness that we experience at Your table because of Jesus.
Amen.