On Being Carried to the Table

One of my favorite stories in the Bible is about David's kindness toward Mephibosheth (1 Samuel 9). In summary, David has just been annointed King of Israel, succeeding Saul. Saul's line had been broken off after Saul and his son Jonathan were killed in battle (as foretold by the Lord). In appreciation of his friendship with Jonathan, David wanted to honor him by finding any of Jonathan's relatives and showing them kindness. It turns out that Jonathan has one son left alive, and his name is Mephibosheth.

Mephibosheth, however, was not robust and kingly like his father. He was a cripple, broken since birth. Nevertheless, David summons Mephibosheth into his court, where he then gives Mephibosheth a place of honor at the king's table.

This may not sound like much of a story, but we must understand a few things. Imagine what Mephibosheth was thinking. First off, he was a relative of the old king. Whenever a new king came to power, they often killed off all of the old king's line to wipe out any threats of usurpation. Secondly, he was a cripple. He couldn't stand or walk, and he was an outcast of society. In Mephibosheth's mind, the only reason he could think of for being summoned by the king was to be killed. He couldn't escape or runaway. This was to be his fate. Or so he thought.

Instead, Mephibosheth was blessed with a position of honor at the table of the king. He was granted land, money, a title, and complete immunity. He was treated as one of the king's sons. And best of all, when he sat at the table of the king, no one could see his crippled state. He was on equal ground with everyone else.

We are just like Mephibosheth.

We are broken people, crippled by the world and by sin. We are outcasts from heaven, unable to enter into his presence by our own accord. The only thing we deserve is death, and that was to be our fate. But, we have received an invitation to dine with the King of kings. He has called us up out of our state of depravity and brokenness and lifted us up to a place of honor. He has granted us a position at the table of the King, where we can dine and commune with him. We did nothing to deserve this at all, but he lifts us up anyway. And best of all, when we sit at the King's table, he doesn't see our brokenness anymore.

We are viewed as being whole, all because we were picked up and carried to the table of the Lord.

For a beautiful depiction of this story and of God's grace toward us, please take a look at the song "Carried to the Table" by Leeland.