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 $23 Miracle

Raising seven children in the 1960’s I’m sure was no easy task.  My parents were hard workers and wonderful providers.  Not only did they both work full-time jobs, after they got home they either worked in the garden or dad took on outside carpentry jobs. 

Dad planted unusually large gardens, and in September mom canned vegetables in our large kitchen.  Their labors provided us with vegetables during cold weather and course helped reduce groceries bills. 

On many occasions mom canned well into the early morning hours.  I remember drifting off to sleep listening to the sounds of lids popping!  My siblings and I would later line our basement shelves with green beans, corn, tomatoes, okra, beets, potatoes, and other yummy winter delights. 

In late summer dad would load his pick-up truck with garden produce and head for the Farmer’s Market in Youngstown.  Proceeds from these trips went toward buying school clothes and supplies.  Dad also raised a hog or two or a cow to slaughter in the fall.  By the end of October we were ready for winter in the “snow belt.”  I realize I sound like Laura Ingalls Wilder’s 21^st century counterpart, but it’s true!     

You can imagine that money was tight in our home, and I tried not to place additional financial burdens on my parents, except for one day in July 1970.  My pastor’s wife had approached me with the idea of going to youth camp in Big Prairie, Ohio.  She sensed that God was working in my heart and encouraged me to do everything I could to attend. 

Because I had no way of earning money, this meant asking my dad for the necessary registration and camp fee.  Timidity almost overwhelmed me, but something (Someone!) strongly stirred me to approach dad for the money.  It’s not that I was afraid of him, but I knew that money for “extras” was in short supply.  Besides, I had to consider my brothers and sisters.  Understand, $23.00 represented quite a sacrifice in a family of nine. 

In retrospect, I realize the Holy Spirit honored my hungry, searching heart and gave me the fortitude to ask my dad for the necessary amount.  Mom and dad were sitting at the kitchen table, relaxing after a hard day’s work.  I approached them with my voice quivering and said, “Dad, I’d love to go to camp in a few weeks. Could I have $23.00?”  I believe the Holy Spirit touched his heart at that precise moment and without hesitation dad said, “Yeah, I don’t see why not.”  Subsequently, he placed his hand on my head as if to say, “It’s alright!”  That quick touch said, “We love you.”  Mom immediately wrote the check.

Since that day I have referred to this incident as my “Twenty-three dollar miracle.”  First, I knew my parents sacrificed greatly to send me to camp.  Second, on August 4, 1970 I responded to an invitation to accept Jesus Christ as my personal Savior and simultaneously was called to preach!  Dad’s $23.00 investment yielded a minister of the Gospel!

To this day, as finances allow, I love helping young people go to camp.  I wish to payback what God so miraculously made possible in my life. 

Do You Speak “Christianese?”

It’s a language spoken by those meshed into church culture.  “Churchy” Christians speak it fluently!  Let me illustrate.

“I’m so glad I’m saved, regenerated and born again.  I appreciate His wonderful mercy and grace in my life.  Every day I seek His face, asking Him to meet every need of my life, as I place my hands in His nail-scarred hands.  I ask Him to lead, guide and direct me in His perfect will.   I plead the blood over all the details of my life.  I invite Him to daily convict me of my sin that I might experience His sanctifying grace.  I look forward to each and every Lord’s Day, when I gather with those of like-precious faith to lift up holy hands and to hear messages from God’s Holy Word.  I enjoy listening to the testimonies of God’s saints.  What about you?  Have you been washed in the blood of the Lamb?”

Did you enjoy the preceding cliché festival?

I’m really not trying to poke fun at what I call “Christianese,” the language of many who hide behind church doors and who seldom, if ever, mingle with those outside the world of church. But I do want you to understand that while we’re not of the world, we’re still in it; and we need to communicate the Gospel in ways that those outside the realm of church life can clearly understand.

I am on a quest to remind Christians everywhere to re-think their manner of communication to those who are far from God and who need to find new life in Christ. I believe I’m accurate when I say the world knows more about what the church is against, than what the church is for!  I still laugh about the little girl who after returning from church was asked by her father, “What did the pastor preach about today?”  She replied, “Sin.”  He then said, “What did he say about it?”  She replied, “I think he’s against it!” 

Law-based preaching seemingly dominates our pulpits, while anti-grace proponents continue to harshly judge and criticize those who are trying to make a difference in a generation that continues to remain suspect of the church’s real message.   

Perhaps like you, I surf Facebook quite regularly.  And I’m constantly amazed at how predictably many Christian streams communicate the gospel message.  I find that a lot of Christian ministries forget their target audience.  They speak “Christianese” to people who either have never darkened the door of a church, or who know little about the Christian Faith.  And sadly, communication breakdowns continue to create barriers.

Then, I regularly note that Christians and churches in general tend to “talk down” to people.  I often say, “You don’t achieve positive results with a negative (condescending) message.” The Gospel of Jesus Christ is earth’s greatest, most compelling message.  Why then do we major on what’s wrong with people?  Why do we often emphasize what we’re against? 

I completely understand that God has not gone soft on sin, but I don’t believe we have to beat people up with a hard-sell message.  Many sermons and churches communicate with law-based Bible thumping instead of hope-filled messages.  We often hear, “You should…” “You never…” You always…”  These three phrases, when used by spouses during marital spats incite further anger; so what makes us think our listeners are going to embrace what we say if we constantly tell them “what they’re not doing?” Remember, “the Law came through Moses, but grace and truth came through Jesus Christ” (John 1:17).   

In addition, we have more than enough angry messengers.  Perhaps some preachers who say, “We love the sinner, but hate their sin,” struggle with personal biases and anger issues that override any good they attempt to achieve.  I recently heard a minister talking about “those sick-o fags,” all the while discerning anger, even hate in his voice.  Angry preaching and angry preachers always discredit our Gospel of love.

I also grow weary of ministers criticizing other churches and other well-meaning, sincere ministers of the Gospel.  This serves only to aid and abet the enemy camp.  Why would any Christian sit under a minister who constantly criticizes and maligns other churches outside their stream of theology and practice?  This anger-driven type of ministry smacks of self-righteousness.  The world needs to see our love for one another in the face of disagreement. I applaud all the Christ-honoring churches in Jefferson!

Yes, Jesus is Holy.  Yes, He is the way to heaven.  Yes, He wants us to serve Him with our whole heart.  But on the flipside, the Apostle Paul reminds us that “God demonstrates His own love for us in this: That while we were sinners, Christ died for us” (Romans 5:8).  And He needs us, His representatives of grace, to speak this language in a clear and effective manner.   

Always remember, while “Christianese” is a major language spoken by many church-goers, it has a lot of dialects, and they too tend to bring conflicting messages to a world that is desperately looking for relevant answers to life’s every day problems. Perhaps we need to quit defending what we believe and engage people out of a broken heart. 

Do we hate what sin does in peoples’ lives, or are we more interested in setting people straight according to the dictates of our personal convictions?  The late evangelist, David Wilkerson used to tell preachers, “Sermons that have not been wept over have no place in the pulpit.” Perhaps he was right.

Let’s determine as God’s people to speak in understandable terms to those who are far from God and never darken the door of our churches.  Let’s communicate on their level of understanding and make this wonderful Gospel relevant and easy to embrace. I’ve heard it said for years, “Preach the Gospel and use words if necessary.”

John 3:16

You probably can quote it.  It’s been referred to as “the Gospel in a nutshell.”  I memorized John 3:16 during a boyhood Vacation Bible School:  “For God so loved the world that He gave His only Son that whoever believes in Him will not perish but have eternal life.”  This verse alone, if acted upon, would be enough to lead one to salvation.  Its components bring life.  Allow me to dissect it for you.

“For God…”

This speaks of Divine Origin.  Our salvation was set into motion immediately after the fall of man, when Adam and Eve fell by was of transgression – when they disobeyed God.  The Bible tells us that the fall brought sin into the world and with sin came death.  But God orchestrated a plan to win lost mankind back to Himself!  Genesis 3:15 relays God’s prophetic intent. “And I will put enmity between you and the woman.  And between your seed and her seed.  He shall bruise you on the head.  And you shall bruise him on the heel.”

“So loved…”

This speaks of Divine Intensity.  God didn’t “just love,” He SO-O-O-O loved!  Do you sense the intensity of God’s resolve to win back lost mankind?

“The world…”

This speaks of the Divine Target.  You and I are the objects of God’s love.  He targeted us to be saved!  God’s plan was to not only win back this physical planet, but more wonderfully, each one of us.  Put your name inside this phrase and rejoice!  “For God so loved Roger Loomis…” Wow, what love!

“That He gave…”

This speaks of Divine Strategy.    God is a giver.  His nature is to give.  He would give His only Son on the cross to win back a lost and dying world.

“His only Son…”

This speaks of a Divine Person.  Jesus is the Son of God, the only One qualified to save us from sin.  He is God and He is the author of eternal life!       

“That whoever believes on Him…”

This speaks of the Divine prerequisite.  Many ask, “What must I do to have eternal life?”  And many are amazed that the Gospel is so simple.  Placing our faith in the precious blood of Jesus to forgive sin sounds too easy.  But it’s true! 

“Will not perish…”

This speaks of Divine protection.  Those who place their faith in Christ are delivered from eternal judgment.  Remember, God’s wrath toward sin was satisfied on the cross when our sinless Savior gave His life.  We escape His wrath and make heaven our home, not hell!

But have eternal life.”

This speaks of the Divine promise.  God promises eternal life for those who place their faith in Him.  He alone can save us!  And He alone has promised us a place in heaven after our life on earth is over.

Now you know why John 3:16 is so often quoted.  It outlines the essence of the Gospel!  Have you place your faith in Christ?