Grace at the King’s Table
For the past few weeks, we’ve been exploring Jesus’ teachings in Luke 6—a section of Scripture that challenges us to love our enemies, forgive those who hurt us, and live out a radical kind of mercy.
I just got off vacation – I’m not up for beating anyone up at the moment… (You’re welcome).
If you’re like me, you’ve probably felt the weight of the previous few weeks. Following Jesus is never easy, is it?
And I’m trying to bring it in the order it comes to us in Luke. The text says to beat you up... But….
That’s why this week, as we prepare for Communion, I want to take a softer approach.
Instead of focusing on the demands of Luke’s Gospel, we’re going to take a detour into the Old Testament—a place where we can see God’s grace beautifully illustrated in the story of David and Mephibosheth (2 Samuel 9:1-13).
It’s a story of mercy, inclusion, and restoration. Who doesn't need to take a bath in that?
I love these stories.
(Here is a telling aside that the Lord is at work with us – even on vacation. Becky and I were in Key West last night and a Gay Pride parade was going down Duval Street. We were caught off guard that it was happening. BUT – we were in their space at their time, so we loved the joy and prayed it might lead all of them to the Lord.
I used to day – Love the Sinner – Hate the Sin. But amazingly that is what Jesus dumped into my lap as I was walking down Duval Street – dodging the beads being tossed at me… Becky caught some! But then she is much wiser than I am!
How can I say love the sinner, hate the sin – when I was walking Duval Street with a big plank in my eye)
So back to the reading plan…. This story invites us to reflect on the grace we have received and how we can share it with others.
Think of this as a moment to rest at the King’s table, to be reminded of God’s kindness and faithfulness, and to prepare our hearts for communion. Let’s dive in.
Oh – Paren warning – Not Parent’s – Paren – as you saw above - I will be dropping lots of these this week - ( la la la – go gators, etc.).
Oh – and since I skipped last week I will include the scripture this week only!!
New Here?
Normally, I ask you to read the bible plan in the app then come back here. Next week we will do that again. But this week the blog is self contained. But you do not get credit for reading he bible plan unless you visit that and click complete! You don't win anything - it's just cool to click the button and think - I already finished something this morning!
I just got off vacation – I’m not up for beating anyone up at the moment… (You’re welcome).
If you’re like me, you’ve probably felt the weight of the previous few weeks. Following Jesus is never easy, is it?
And I’m trying to bring it in the order it comes to us in Luke. The text says to beat you up... But….
That’s why this week, as we prepare for Communion, I want to take a softer approach.
Instead of focusing on the demands of Luke’s Gospel, we’re going to take a detour into the Old Testament—a place where we can see God’s grace beautifully illustrated in the story of David and Mephibosheth (2 Samuel 9:1-13).
It’s a story of mercy, inclusion, and restoration. Who doesn't need to take a bath in that?
I love these stories.
(Here is a telling aside that the Lord is at work with us – even on vacation. Becky and I were in Key West last night and a Gay Pride parade was going down Duval Street. We were caught off guard that it was happening. BUT – we were in their space at their time, so we loved the joy and prayed it might lead all of them to the Lord.
I used to day – Love the Sinner – Hate the Sin. But amazingly that is what Jesus dumped into my lap as I was walking down Duval Street – dodging the beads being tossed at me… Becky caught some! But then she is much wiser than I am!
How can I say love the sinner, hate the sin – when I was walking Duval Street with a big plank in my eye)
So back to the reading plan…. This story invites us to reflect on the grace we have received and how we can share it with others.
Think of this as a moment to rest at the King’s table, to be reminded of God’s kindness and faithfulness, and to prepare our hearts for communion. Let’s dive in.
Oh – Paren warning – Not Parent’s – Paren – as you saw above - I will be dropping lots of these this week - ( la la la – go gators, etc.).
Oh – and since I skipped last week I will include the scripture this week only!!
New Here?
Normally, I ask you to read the bible plan in the app then come back here. Next week we will do that again. But this week the blog is self contained. But you do not get credit for reading he bible plan unless you visit that and click complete! You don't win anything - it's just cool to click the button and think - I already finished something this morning!
Monday: Grace Seeks Us Out
NT Scripture: Luke 6:37
"Do not judge, and you will not be judged. Do not condemn, and you will not be condemned. Forgive, and you will be forgiven."
OT Scripture: 2 Samuel 9:1-3
"Is there anyone still left of the house of Saul to whom I can show kindness for Jonathan’s sake?"
Historical Context
By the time we reach 2 Samuel 9, David is firmly established as king over all Israel. His journey to the throne, however, was long and filled with hardship. Years earlier, the prophet Samuel had anointed David as the future king of Israel (1 Samuel 16:13), but Saul, the reigning king, saw him as a threat. Saul’s jealousy led to years of conflict, forcing David into exile as a fugitive.
Eventually, Saul and his son Jonathan were killed in battle against the Philistines (1 Samuel 31), leaving the throne open for David. But the road to uniting Israel under his rule wasn’t smooth. Saul’s remaining son, Ish-Bosheth, became a rival king, leading to a civil war.
When Ish-Bosheth was assassinated (2 Samuel 4), David finally became king over a united Israel.
In this historical context, it was standard practice for a new king to eliminate all members of the previous royal family. This was a brutal but common way to secure the throne and prevent any future claims to power. Saul’s family would have been seen as political enemies, and no one would have questioned David if he chose to wipe them out.
But David doesn’t do what’s expected. Instead of hunting down Saul’s descendants to eliminate them, he seeks them out—for a completely different reason. His question in 2 Samuel 9:1 is extraordinary:
The word translated as "kindness" in this passage is hesed, a rich Hebrew term that means steadfast love, covenantal faithfulness, and mercy.
David’s motivation isn’t political—it’s rooted in his covenant with Jonathan, Saul’s son and David’s closest friend.
Years earlier, in 1 Samuel 20:14-17, Jonathan asked David to promise that he would show kindness to Jonathan’s family, even after Jonathan’s death. David swore to honor this covenant, and now, years later, he remains faithful to that promise.
When David learns that a descendant of Saul still exists—a man named Mephibosheth, (sounds kinda like "My fib? Oh, Seth!"). This is David's best friend Jonathan’s son—he sends for him immediately.
Mephibosheth, (Mah fib, oh, seth!) crippled in both feet since childhood (2 Samuel 4:4), is living in Lo Debar, a desolate and barren place. Likely, he’s been hiding, fearful that David might find him and see him as a threat.
But David’s desire isn’t to harm Mephibosheth—it’s to bless him. In a world where kings sought vengeance and eliminated rivals, David’s actions are radical, unexpected, and deeply rooted in grace.
Reflection
David’s pending kindness to Mephibosheth gives us a beautiful picture of God’s grace. Like him, we are broken and undeserving. We often live in fear, hiding from God because we feel unworthy of His love.
But just as David sought out Mephibosheth, God seeks us out—not to judge or condemn us, but to show us kindness and invite us into His presence.
This is the heart of the Gospel. God doesn’t wait for us to clean ourselves up or prove our worth. Instead, He takes the initiative, coming to us in our brokenness to extend His mercy.
(Have you ever wondered what you would do if you heard that Jesus would be at your house in 30 minutes? How many of you would start cleaning your house.... lol).
As Paul writes in Ephesians 2:4-5, "But because of His great love for us, God, who is rich in mercy, made us alive with Christ even when we were dead in transgressions—it is by grace you have been saved."
King David’s question—"Is there anyone to whom I can show kindness?"—is a reflection of God’s own heart. It challenges us to ask: How can we show this same grace to others? Who in our lives might be hiding in their own version of “Lo Debar,” feeling unworthy of love or kindness?
Reflective Action/Question
This week, take time to reflect on the ways God has sought you out with His grace. How does it feel to know that His love isn’t based on your efforts or worthiness, or how clean your house is... but on His covenantal faithfulness!
Then ask yourself: Who in my life needs to experience this kind of grace from YOU!
How can I actively seek them out this week to show kindness, not because they’ve earned it, but simply because God has shown the same grace to me?
Make it your mission this week to reflect God’s heart by asking David’s question: "Is there anyone to whom I can show kindness?"
NT Scripture: Luke 6:37
"Do not judge, and you will not be judged. Do not condemn, and you will not be condemned. Forgive, and you will be forgiven."
OT Scripture: 2 Samuel 9:1-3
"Is there anyone still left of the house of Saul to whom I can show kindness for Jonathan’s sake?"
Historical Context
By the time we reach 2 Samuel 9, David is firmly established as king over all Israel. His journey to the throne, however, was long and filled with hardship. Years earlier, the prophet Samuel had anointed David as the future king of Israel (1 Samuel 16:13), but Saul, the reigning king, saw him as a threat. Saul’s jealousy led to years of conflict, forcing David into exile as a fugitive.
Eventually, Saul and his son Jonathan were killed in battle against the Philistines (1 Samuel 31), leaving the throne open for David. But the road to uniting Israel under his rule wasn’t smooth. Saul’s remaining son, Ish-Bosheth, became a rival king, leading to a civil war.
When Ish-Bosheth was assassinated (2 Samuel 4), David finally became king over a united Israel.
In this historical context, it was standard practice for a new king to eliminate all members of the previous royal family. This was a brutal but common way to secure the throne and prevent any future claims to power. Saul’s family would have been seen as political enemies, and no one would have questioned David if he chose to wipe them out.
But David doesn’t do what’s expected. Instead of hunting down Saul’s descendants to eliminate them, he seeks them out—for a completely different reason. His question in 2 Samuel 9:1 is extraordinary:
"Is there anyone still left of the house of Saul to whom I can show kindness for Jonathan’s sake?"
The word translated as "kindness" in this passage is hesed, a rich Hebrew term that means steadfast love, covenantal faithfulness, and mercy.
David’s motivation isn’t political—it’s rooted in his covenant with Jonathan, Saul’s son and David’s closest friend.
Years earlier, in 1 Samuel 20:14-17, Jonathan asked David to promise that he would show kindness to Jonathan’s family, even after Jonathan’s death. David swore to honor this covenant, and now, years later, he remains faithful to that promise.
When David learns that a descendant of Saul still exists—a man named Mephibosheth, (sounds kinda like "My fib? Oh, Seth!"). This is David's best friend Jonathan’s son—he sends for him immediately.
Mephibosheth, (Mah fib, oh, seth!) crippled in both feet since childhood (2 Samuel 4:4), is living in Lo Debar, a desolate and barren place. Likely, he’s been hiding, fearful that David might find him and see him as a threat.
But David’s desire isn’t to harm Mephibosheth—it’s to bless him. In a world where kings sought vengeance and eliminated rivals, David’s actions are radical, unexpected, and deeply rooted in grace.
Reflection
David’s pending kindness to Mephibosheth gives us a beautiful picture of God’s grace. Like him, we are broken and undeserving. We often live in fear, hiding from God because we feel unworthy of His love.
But just as David sought out Mephibosheth, God seeks us out—not to judge or condemn us, but to show us kindness and invite us into His presence.
This is the heart of the Gospel. God doesn’t wait for us to clean ourselves up or prove our worth. Instead, He takes the initiative, coming to us in our brokenness to extend His mercy.
(Have you ever wondered what you would do if you heard that Jesus would be at your house in 30 minutes? How many of you would start cleaning your house.... lol).
As Paul writes in Ephesians 2:4-5, "But because of His great love for us, God, who is rich in mercy, made us alive with Christ even when we were dead in transgressions—it is by grace you have been saved."
King David’s question—"Is there anyone to whom I can show kindness?"—is a reflection of God’s own heart. It challenges us to ask: How can we show this same grace to others? Who in our lives might be hiding in their own version of “Lo Debar,” feeling unworthy of love or kindness?
Reflective Action/Question
This week, take time to reflect on the ways God has sought you out with His grace. How does it feel to know that His love isn’t based on your efforts or worthiness, or how clean your house is... but on His covenantal faithfulness!
Then ask yourself: Who in my life needs to experience this kind of grace from YOU!
How can I actively seek them out this week to show kindness, not because they’ve earned it, but simply because God has shown the same grace to me?
Make it your mission this week to reflect God’s heart by asking David’s question: "Is there anyone to whom I can show kindness?"
Wednesday: Words of Restoration
NT Scripture: Luke 6:41-42
"Why do you look at the speck of sawdust in your brother’s eye and pay no attention to the plank in your own eye?"
OT Scripture: 2 Samuel 9:7
"I will restore to you all the land of your grandfather Saul, and you shall eat at my table always."
NT Scripture: Luke 6:41-42
"Why do you look at the speck of sawdust in your brother’s eye and pay no attention to the plank in your own eye?"
OT Scripture: 2 Samuel 9:7
"I will restore to you all the land of your grandfather Saul, and you shall eat at my table always."
Thursday: A Seat at the Table
NT Scripture: Luke 6:37-38
"Forgive, and you will be forgiven. Give, and it will be given to you."
OT Scripture: 2 Samuel 9:8-10
"Mephibosheth ate at David’s table, like one of the king’s sons."
NT Scripture: Luke 6:37-38
"Forgive, and you will be forgiven. Give, and it will be given to you."
OT Scripture: 2 Samuel 9:8-10
"Mephibosheth ate at David’s table, like one of the king’s sons."
Friday: Grace Changes Everything
NT Scripture: Luke 6:39-42
"Can the blind lead the blind? Will they not both fall into a pit?"
OT Scripture: 2 Samuel 9:11
"So Mephibosheth ate at David’s table like one of the king’s sons."
NT Scripture: Luke 6:39-42
"Can the blind lead the blind? Will they not both fall into a pit?"
OT Scripture: 2 Samuel 9:11
"So Mephibosheth ate at David’s table like one of the king’s sons."
Saturday: Living Out Grace
NT Scripture: Luke 6:35-36
"Be merciful, just as your Father is merciful."
OT Scripture: 2 Samuel 9:12-13
"Mephibosheth lived in Jerusalem, for he always ate at the king’s table."
NT Scripture: Luke 6:35-36
"Be merciful, just as your Father is merciful."
OT Scripture: 2 Samuel 9:12-13
"Mephibosheth lived in Jerusalem, for he always ate at the king’s table."
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