Mephibosheth

30 Jun Mephibosheth

Read 2 Samuel 9

Thought for the Day: Who is the Mephibosheth in my life?

Last night, who sat at your dinner table? Mealtimes are some of the most important and intimate moments we can share with our friends and families. When couples first date, it is very common to go out to dinner and share a meal together. It has been said that one of the greatest predictors for teenagers graduating in the National Honor Society is consistent family mealtime. Even when loved ones pass away, families come together for a meal. Mealtime is family time and an opportunity to grow together. But, it is also an important time to include those who struggle with loneliness and isolation. All of us need community!

David (the greatest of the Old Testament Kings) included someone very special at his dinner table. While he had been very close with Jonathan (the son of David’s predecessor, King Saul), both Jonathan and Saul had died in a bloody war. Seeing his new role as king as a chance to honor his former friend, David asked his men to search the land for any living relative of Jonathan and Saul. They found one: Mephibosheth, a young man with physical disabilities who was significantly isolated in his society. Learning this, David immediately restored to him all the lands and household of King Saul. But even further, David included Mephibosheth at his table, treating him as one of his own sons.

While there are many lessons to be learned from the story of Mephibosheth, let’s learn this one: including others matters. It is easy to be exclusive and treat others as “different”. It is much harder to see that God asks us to bring others into our lives. We are asked to build bridges by opening our homes and dinner tables to others. Today, who are the people in your life God is asking you to include? Pray for them and then pick up the phone and reach out to at least one. After all, each of us has at least one Mephibosheth, a person who is feeling isolated and would love to be included!

In Christ,

Pastors Stan and David