The Gospel According to Mephibosheth

The Old Testament contains many stories of intrigue.  It’s no small wonder  the early years of Hollywood brought many of these ancient stories to the wide screen.  In recent days, I’ve watched three of them: Victor Mature played Samson (Samson and Delilah); Yul Brenner played Pharaoh (The Ten Commandments), and Gregory Peck played David (David and Bathsheba). While their directors practiced poetic license, their portrayals of biblical characters were heart-warming.  

I wish Hollywood would take a long, hard look at the story of Mephibosheth, an obscure account found in 2 Samuel 9.  Let me summarize the plot.  

As you may recall, King Saul and his son, Jonathan were killed in battle against the Philistines.  Although Jonathan was heir apparent to the throne, it was widely known that David was God’s choice.  In those days, remaining family members became fearful for their lives, as survivors were typically seen as threats to the throne and subsequently executed.  When it became known that Jonathan was dead, members of his household fled in fear.  

“Now Jonathan, Saul’s son, had a son crippled in his feet.  He was five years old when the report of Saul and Jonathan came from Jezreel, and his nurse took him up and fled.  And it happened that in her hurry to flee, he fell and became lame.  And his name was Mephibosheth” (2 Samuel 4:4). His name literally means, “From the mouth of shame.”  There’s a story here!

Who would name their kid “Mephibosheth?”  Say that five times quickly!  But I digress!  His nanny picked him up and in her haste to escape, dropped him and the Bible says he became lame in both feet.  This is mentioned two times in this brief narrative -- for a good reason.  It describes our spiritual condition before God.  

Mephibosheth became a lame refugee.  But after a period of time we discover that David’s love for Jonathan transcended the grave.  One day when thinking about his beloved and sadly missed friend, David asked, “Is there yet anyone left of the house of Saul, that I may show him kindness, for Jonathan’s sake” (2 Samuel 9:1)?  Verse 3 continues, “The king said, ‘Is there not yet anyone left of the house of Saul to whom I may show the kindness of God?”  Then Ziba, the former servant of King Saul and now Mephibosheth, told David about the lame prince.  And this is where the story really unfolds and the plot becomes emotionally-charged.  The Holy Spirit uses this story to illustrate how a crippled refugee shows us the Gospel.

With David’s kingdom firmly established, his family settled into power and luxury.  His sons were educated and privileged, growing up with every advantage.  Meanwhile, Mephibosheth grew up in a place called Lo-Debar The name literally meant “pastureless.”  Another source says it was in the middle of “Nowhere!”  The town name inspires thoughts of dead grass, decay and the absence of life.  Aren’t you glad you’re not from “Nowhere?”

Imagine Mephibosheth daily hobbling on his crutches out to his porch to sit quietly because the pain in his legs was too much for him to stand for very long.  And as he gazed out at the land of Lo-Debar, the pastureless plain, I wonder how many times he reflected on his situation.  He looked down at his deformed and lifeless legs and wondered what life might have been had his father lived.  After all, he had been groomed to be the prince of Israel.  

This pitiful man was now doomed to a life of hopelessness. 

But his circumstances changed! And yours can, too!

Rather than punishing the descendants of Saul, David remembered his intense friendship with Jonathan, and he actively sought out anyone left from the family so that he could show kindness.  

“Then King David sent and brought him...from LoDebar.  And Mephibosheth the son of Jonathan, son of Saul, came to David and fell on his face and paid homage.  And David said, ‘Mephibosheth!’  And he answered, ‘Behold, I am your servant.’  And David said to him, ‘Do not fear, for I will show you kindness for the sake of your father Jonathan, and I will restore to you all the land of Saul your father, and you shall eat at my table always’” (2 Samuel 9:5).

Mephibosheth was crippled.  Cast out.  Helpless.  Without hope.  “But David..” (verse 7).

We too were broken.  Hopeless.  Dead in our sin.  Cast out. “But God…”

(Romans 5:8)

Two parties without hope and living under a dramatically uncertain future.  And two extravagant displays of grace, both based on the merit of someone else.  For Mephibosheth, it was David.  For us, it is God’s own Son.  

And in both cases, the outcome involves a meal!  Mephibosheth ate at David’s table for the rest of his life.  And it is comforting and exciting to think that at the end of history, we too are headed for a meal -- the Marriage Supper of the Lamb.  The meal where the marriage of Christ and His Church will be celebrated.  

The “Gospel according to Mephibosheth” is a story of God’s grace.  You’d be hard-pressed to find another story in the Old Testament that portrays the Gospel in such a beautiful way.  You see, I am Mephibosheth.  In my sin I have fallen from grace, and in my brokenness, unable to stand before the Lord.  In my shame I run from God.  I hide myself from His gaze.  I fear His judgment.

While far from God -- while living in Lo-Debar -- His Spirit comes to me like the faithful servant, Ziba, and brings me before His throne.  While I ought to be condemned, God shows me His undeserved kindness.  God shows me grace, not because of anything I have done, not because of any potential He sees in me, but because Jesus has died in my place.  He sets a place for me at His table as one of His sons.  This my friend, is the Gospel!  

For This Cause

In today’s world, causes are not in short supply:  Healthcare reform, civil rights, climate change, immigration, impeachment, education, animal cruelty, the homeless, vaccinations, Save the White Whale, Save the Dolphin, save “whatever,” house churches, and countless others.  

Cause-oriented and cause-driven people fill Facebook posts; and conversations in general center around those causes near and dear to us.  Inherently, there is nothing wrong with this; however, let me sound a warning, especially to all professing Christians.

God’s people need to remember that one CAUSE overrides all others:  the CAUSE of Jesus Christ.  Even in the church, people tend to elevate CAUSES over this most important issue.  Music preferences, preaching series, prophetic ministry, church government, sound volumes, and other issues catch the attention of church-goers, often “CAUS-ing” division and unrest.  I’m amazed at how often the enemy successfully CAUSES godly people to focus on lesser pursuits.  

My friend, believe me, a lot of issues beckon for my attention; however, I’m becoming very selective as to what I give my time and energy.  I understand that blogs like this tend to put well-meaning people on edge, but this I caution:

1. If you feel strongly about a given issue, avoid becoming disagreeable in the face of disagreements.
2. Ask yourself:  Does my approach need to be altered?  Am I building bridges or walls? Have I come across hateful and mean-spirited?  Christians especially, HAVE to consider the “how’ to’s.”
3. Am I adhering to the “Good-Better-Best” principle in my life?  Always remember, good and better causes abound.  But am I giving my life to those things closest to God’s heart?  In other words, is what I’m doing “cause-worthy?”
4. Do you understand that some causes are best confronted through fervent prayer?  The infamous quote, “The only thing necessary for the triumph of evil is for good men to do nothing,”  has merit, but be careful saint, that what you devote your life to is pushing back evil, not just reinforcing a strong opinion.
5. The Apostle Paul makes it clear to believers that ONE CAUSE supersedes all others:  “For this cause (reason), I Paul, a prisoner of Jesus Christ..” (Ephesians 3:1).  Paul’s cause (reason for living) was to carry the life-changing Gospel to Gentiles. I may be splitting hairs here, but it concerns me when Christ followers spend their time and energy never affecting positive change, ending their days tired and frustrated and living with an antagonistic mindset.  Positive, long-term change seldom, if ever, comes when divisive, at times violent, confrontational hearts demand their way.  Yes, Paul was at times confrontational, but always love-driven.  He says in 2 Corinthians 5:14, “The love of Christ constrains (compels) me.”  Another translation says, “The love of Christ drives me…”  Love for the lost was his motivating force!

We may live under a mindset where “opinion is king.” However, the downside to this liberty is mishandling our approach to those issues we feel so strongly about. Talking down to people, degrading comments, and unkind words never achieve righteous outcomes.  It concerns me that the Church in many sectors of society is known more for what we’re against than what we’re for. Do we walk in agape (God’s) love?  

My friend, we possess the greatest CAUSE known to mankind -- “that Christ Jesus came into the world to  save sinners” (1 Timothy 1:15).   YOUR GREATEST CAUSE AS A BELIEVER IS TO TELL ANYONE AND EVERYONE WHO WILL LISTEN!  The believer’s greatest cause is “Jesus Christ and Him crucified” (1 Corinthians 2:2)!

Tell everyone!  Witness with not only your words, but with your lifestyle, your actions and attitudes.  If Jesus tells you to speak out against a certain cause, then speak out in love and brokenness.  And make sure that your primary cause -- Jesus Christ -- is first and foremost! 

Filter every cause through the Cross.  Weigh the temporary against the eternal, and make sure the scales of endeavor first and foremost lean others toward the saving gospel of Jesus Christ. The Proverb says, “The fruit of the righteous is a tree of life, and he who wins souls is wise,” 11:30).  The preacher encourages us to use our righteous influence to touch and change our surroundings.  He reminds us that there’s our way, and then God’s way of doing things.  Follow the way of wisdom!  Sadly, many causes are picked up by those who employ counter-productive methods. 

The Power of Influence

Mother’s Day is behind us, but I can’t shake a certain, powerful thought from my mind.

It centers around the power of influence.  God designed the home to be the premiere laboratory for the Christian faith.  Nothing outranks the home in the training and nurturing of children, not even the local church. In the home, the man (husband) is the head; the woman (wife) is the influencer.  Someone suggested that “while the man is the head of the home, the wife is the neck that turns the head!”  Two women were sitting in church listening to this teaching, when one leaned over and asked the other, “What did he just say?”  She replied, “I’m not completely sure, but I think the pastor just said we were necks!” 

Influence is defined as “the capacity to have an effect on the character, development or behavior of someone.”  God, in His infinite wisdom, gave this gift primarily to the mother (wife).  She is the one who sets the atmosphere in the home.  The old saying is true:  “If mom’s not happy, nobody’s happy!”  This is a fact!

The Bible contains stories about a number of mothers; however, none prove the reality of “the influencer” more than Jochebed, the mother of Moses.  Her story is found in Exodus 2:1-10.  During this time, Pharaoh issued an edict that all Hebrew newborns be cast into the Nile River, as he feared the growing Hebrew population was gaining too much prominence and power.  To protect her newborn son, Jochebed placed him in a basket and hid it in the reeds along the great river.  Through a divine strategy, Pharaoh’s daughter came upon the drifting child and took him into the palace.  Later, in a strange turn of events that only God could orchestrate, Jochebed was hired to nanny the boy.  Jochebed raised her own son in Pharaoh’s court!

During the subsequent years, Jochebed trained her son -- the son of Pharaoh’s daughter -- not only academically, but in the ways of Israel’s God.  Jochebed’s name literally means, “The glory of YAHWEH.”  The word “glory” is the Hebrew root word for “influence.”

Under Jochebed’s tutelage and godly influence, Moses was groomed to be Israel’s deliverer.  God used the dynamics inside Jochebed to raise up Moses, who in 1446 B.C. led the Children of Israel out of Egyptian bondage.  How wonderful!  Indirectly, the power of her influence won the day!

Jochebed was also the mother of Aaron and Miriam; and her influence guided their lives as well.  Aaron became Israel’s High Priest and Miriam became a prophetess.  She would later pick up a tambourine after Israel’s great deliverance on the opposite bank of the Red Sea and lead a band of women to praise the God of Israel.  He’s our God, too!

Sadly, Jochebed died before seeing the results of her godly influence play out in the lives of her three famous children.  However, she is indirectly mentioned in “The Hall of Faith,” published in Hebrews 11:23 -- “By faith Moses, when he was born, was hidden by his parents (Levi and Jochebed) because they saw he was a beautiful child; and they were not afraid of the king’s edict.”

Thank God for the power of godly influence. It was Nancy Todd Lincoln influencing a future President.  It was Suzanna Wesley influencing two renowned sons -- Charles, a hymn writer; and John, a revivalist (founder of the Methodist Church).   

Moms, we honor you and we are especially grateful for you godly moms, who used and continue to use your influence to raise up effective and powerful Christ followers.   

My Grandpa

Walter Chandler passed away 50 years ago.  I still miss him. He was my grandpa, and how I loved him.  He was a kind man who was fun-loving to his large brood of grandchildren.  Each of us received individual attention.

I remember surprise trips to the Whippi-Dip on Route 7 in Pierpont, Ohio.  The building is now dilapidated. Foliage and trees overrun the remaining debris.  Grandpa, who was financially limited, would say, “You yung-ins get in the truck. Let’s go to the Whippi-Dip.”  We jumped into the back of his blue pick-up truck, and Walter Chandler, who never held a driver’s license, drove us to get an ice cream cone.  

The breakfast table holds still more boyhood memories.  How grandpa loved homemade biscuits, smothered in butter and molasses.  He would put whole biscuits in his mouth and let me watch him chew, while opening wide his mouth. Seven-year-old boys love to watch such gross things!  Grandma would say, “Daddy, don’t do that in front of those children.”  

While sitting on his knee, grandpa would pretend that he was going to chew on my arm.  He also used his thumb to flick my head! Then, he would stretch the skin on my head and say, “Now then, your brain will have room to grow.”  His antics intrigued me. And best of all, he introduced me to instant Maxwell House coffee, doctored by three heaping teaspoons of sugar and lots of milk!  

Grandpa would occasionally take an afternoon nap, and ask me to rub his scalp.  He was mostly bald. Before falling asleep, he gave me a quarter. Back in those days a quarter bought a candy bar, a can of pop, or an ice cream cone.  Life was good for a boy and his grandpa!

Walter Chandler was one-quarter Cherokee Indian.  His stories, originating from the hills of Tennessee, kept me spellbound.  One hot summer day, Grandpa let me sit on his Massey Ferguson tractor as he drove to the back pasture of his 90-acre farm.  We drove past cow paths and eventually rested under the shade of a large maple tree. Grandpa placed his large hand on my head and said, “You’re a good boy and I’m proud of you.”  I smiled as my heart was further woven to his.

That Christmas I just had to buy my grandpa a special gift.  I gave him a little blue-green thermometer, which he hung in his kitchen.  He enjoyed watching the temperature drop during Ohio’s harsh, cold winter, and seemed so proud of it.  

Less than a month later, on his 62nd birthday, grandpa passed away suddenly.  I grieved deeply for him, who I had the privilege of knowing for 13 years. I still occasionally visit his (and grandma’s) grave. His love and many kindnesses enriched my life then and now.