You’ve heard it over and over— people who may consider themselves Christian but don’t participate in a local church for one reason or another. Why is that?
One of the top reasons people reject involvement in a faith community is their belief they just don’t measure up and couldn’t possibly be good enough to engage with Christians in a family of faith at a local church.
If that sounds like you, let me introduce you to someone who just might be able to change your mind when you hear his story.
Meet Mephibosheth. Yeah, what was his momma thinking, right?! His name in Hebrew literally means, shame on you! He was crippled in both legs as a child when his home was under attack by an invading army who hated his grandad, the King of Israel, Saul. Mephibosheth’s dad was Jonathan, who died on the same day as his father at the hands of an enemy.
Mephibosheth was cared for by a servant named Ziba, which means no progress in Hebrew. He happened to live in a region called Machir, meaning slavery and in a city, Lodebar, or dry place.
Whew. Yeah. Shame on you was cared for by no progress living in a place of bondage and a dry place. Mephibosheth didn’t seem to have much hope.
But then, something happened. A covenant was exercised. His life changed suddenly and permanently. And all this broken, crippled young man with little hope had to do was to accept an invitation.
You’ve met Mephibosheth. Now, look at the account in 1 Samuel 18:1-5 of his dad, Jonathan, and David. At this point, Jonathan’s dad is King of Israel as appointed by the people. But David was King as anointed by God and would later become King. David and Jonathan were best friends. In fact, they were beyond best friends.
Jonathan loved David as himself and saw what God saw — the right man for the right position to lead Israel. So, the heir apparent to the throne, Jonathan, made a covenant with David. The Hebrew word for covenant is berit, which means to cut, to shed blood for the purpose of a pact, alliance, or binding commitment.
As these two young men cut their own wrists, crossed their forearms to grasp hands, and mixed the blood coming from their voluntary wounds, a bond was formed that transcended the familial relations that occur from genetic prodigy. These men adopted each other as brothers and marked themselves for life to demonstrate the binding nature of their bond.
Jonathan ceded his position of next in line as Saul’s firstborn to be the King. Jonathan awarded to David several key possession, including his robe, bow, & sword – all pointing to the power he also received. Receiving Jonathan’s sword meant, “Who fights you, fights me.” Having the royal robe coupled with the sword empowered David even as Jonathan lived.
The very persona of David continued to grow from a warrior to leader who would be prepared to be King. David became what the people assumed of Jonathan.
Then, as already mentioned, King Saul and Jonathan died on the same day in battle. David ascended to the throne of Israel as to serve as king. 2 Samuel 9 is the account of the demonstrated meaning of covenant in practice, not just words.
Imagine you’re watching King David reach from his prominent chair to the table in grasping the King’s chalice. As he reaches, the shepherd turned warrior turned King sees his exposed wrist as his arm extends. He sees the scar.
He remembers his kinsman and adopted brother. He asks who remains of the house of Jonathan. After the toils and rivalries of war, only Mephibosheth remains. David sends for the man.
When the royal messenger arrived in the region of slavery and the city of the dry place, Mephibosheth had a decision to make. Would he accept the invitation of the King or reject it?
What has your response been to the invitation extended you by the King of kings, Jesus Christ, Whose marked and scarred body testify to His new covenant?
The account in 2 Samuel 9 explains that the crippled man was welcomed to the King’s table and set to dine there from that moment forward. Lands were returned to him that had belonged to his father. Lands were also given to those of Mephibosheth’s household and in his service and companionship.
Do you see it? When we make Covenant with the King, which David was extending to Jonathan’s son, despite our own brokenness and state of disrepair, we have a position in the presence of the King. We dine at His table, receiving His goodness. We are given access and possession of that which belongs to the King. Further, in fulfilling God’s Word in Genesis 12:1-3, the ultimate Covenant made with Abraham and all God’s people, “we are blessed...we bless others...God blesses those who bless us and curses those who curse us.”
Have you received the King of Glory’s invitation? Have you entered into Covenant with Him not only as Savior, but also Promise Keeper? In Christ, believers have a supernatural Covenant that transcends all we could anticipate or appreciate. The abundant life is in Jesus Christ. Accept His invitation and abide.
Listen to my full teaching on “The Covenant."