Read: 2 Samuel 9:1-13

When Mephibosheth was a young boy of five years old, he had become lame in his legs. His nurse had been fleeing with him when he fell. He hurt his legs so badly that he was never able to walk again. Mephibosheth was the son of Jonathan. You will remember that Jonathan and King David had been very good friends. David had promised that he would always look after Jonathan’s family and treat them with kindness.

In 2 Samuel 9, David wants to know if there are any children of Jonathan alive still so that he could show this kindness to them. When he is told about Mephibosheth, he asks for Mephibosheth. He wants to talk to him.

Mephibosheth lived in a barren place, probably far away from other people. Because he could not walk, he couldn’t work and couldn’t do anything to help himself. When he comes before the king, he is frightened that he is going to be killed. He realizes he is totally useless. He even calls himself a “dead dog.”

Mephibosheth is a picture of what we are all like spiritually. Just like he couldn’t do anything to make his life better, we can’t do anything to improve our sins either. Just like Mephibosheth was not worthy to come before the king, so we are not worthy to go before God.

But King David showed great kindness to Mephibosheth. He did so because of his promises to Jonathan, Mephibosheth’s father. In the same way God shows great kindness to us. Even though our sins are so great, he still loves us. And he does so because of his covenant promises. He has promised in the Bible that he will always love and forgive those who come to him through Jesus Christ.

King David was not able to heal Mephibosheth. He could show him kindness, but he could not heal him. But the Lord, our great King, can and does fix us. He forgives all our sins today and one day he will remove them completely and we will be perfect. We will live a perfect, sinless life.

Reflection with your child:

How is Mephibosheth a picture of what we are like?

Source: Sermon by Rev. H. Alkema