You Are Welcome At The Table

Have you ever read the story of David and Mephibosheth? If you haven’t, cluck the link to read the original story.

King David seeks out someone from the household of Saul to show God’s kindness because Saul’s son Jonathan was king David’s best buddy, a friend like a brother. Saul and Jonathan were dead and King David wanted to find someone from Saul’s family so that he could bless them for Jonathan’s sake. Eventually he finds Mephibosheth, Jonathan’s own son. Mephibosheth is lame and cannot take care of himself. The story indicates that he had a field but because Mephibosheth was lame, he most likely couldn’t even take care of the field. He was crippled for life and needed someone to take care of him. King David invites Mephibosheth to His palace and tells him that his field will be taken care of and he could eat at the King’s table every day. Mephibosheth recognizes how incredible it is that the King should look favorably at a nobody like him. What Mephibosheth experienced for the rest of his life was unmerited favor – grace. A man who was unfit to sit at the King’s table both because of his financial status and because of his bodily condition received a gift for his lifetime – a daily reserved spot at King’s table.

This story reflects God’s heart. When Jesus died on the cross, grace was unleashed on humanity. The table was no longer open only for the spiritually elite or rich. It was open for the Mephibosheths – the lame, the poor, the sick and the undeserving. That’s why it’s the good news!! Look at what Jesus said!

Jesus said to them, “It is not the healthy who need a doctor, but the sick. I have not come to call the righteous, but sinners.” Mark 2:17

Religion says – be good, do this, don’t do this, don’t touch this, don’t eat this, pray this many times, give this much. Jesus says come as you are. If you already feel religiously elite and righteous, then Jesus probably isn’t for you. You see, when we think that all our religious works and good deeds can bring us salvation, we invalidate grace. Grace is only applicable when we recognize our need for such unmerited love. So, if you need such unmerited love, come! If you feel like a sinner, burdened by the weight of guilt, come. If you have messed up beyond repair, come. If you can’t love yourself, come. If you feel undeserving and unworthy, still come. The King’s table is open for anyone who appreciates His unmerited favor, His grace. It is open to anyone willing to accept His invitation. Come, you are welcome at the table!