From rags to riches
by Maria Rudolph
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Mephibosheth bowed down and said, ‘What is your servant, that you should notice a dead dog like me?’ (2 Samuel 9:8)
Read 2 Samuel 9:1–13
Before David became the esteemed king of Israel, he had a tender friendship with Jonathan, King Saul’s son. They were inseparable. In the end, Jonathan fell in the battle of Gilboa, along with his father and brothers.
Grief-stricken, David mourned him deeply (2 Samuel 1:26). When he became king, David actively sought ways to show kindness to Jonathan’s son. Crippled, disadvantaged, orphaned, at the mercy of other people’s charity due to his condition – Jonathan’s son Mephibosheth would have lived a sad life. King David showed him incredible grace: he made him the owner of much land and gave him servants to work for him for the rest of his days. He also invited him to feast at the king’s table forever.
Isn’t that exactly what Jesus has done for each of us? You and I were crippled in our sin, disadvantaged and cut off from God’s goodness. But by his grace, he adopted us as his children, gave us a seat at his table for eternity and provides for us forevermore!
What King David did for Mephibosheth, Jesus has done for us on the cross, and it has become ours through baptism. Does this astound you?
Along with Jonathan’s son, who exclaimed in surprise, ‘What is your servant, that you should notice a dead dog like me?’, we might wonder what God sees in us, to do such a great thing for us. Let us be humble like Mephibosheth today and bow our heads to Jesus and say, ‘We are unworthy servants; we have only done our duty’ (Luke 17:10b).
Merciful Jesus, you have redeemed me, you have called me by name, I am yours! Through your grace, I have become your beloved, precious child. You have even promised to me that I will feast at your table in eternity. Help me to be your worthy servant and to glorify your name now and forevermore. Amen.
Pastor Maria serves at St John’s Lutheran Church Perth in Western Australia. She is blessed with her pastor husband, Michael, who serves at Concordia Lutheran Church, Duncraig. With God’s help, they navigate ministry across two parishes and life at home with two beautiful primary-school-aged kids and one amazing high schooler. Pastor Maria also serves the Lutheran Church on the Commission on Theology and Inter-Church Relations.
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