Adopted Orphans

Ever heard of Mephibosheth? This guy didn't have it so good. For starters, both of his feet were crippled. His babysitter tried to save him from being killed when he was a kid, but dropped him in her haste, crippling him for life.


You see, he was the grandson of Saul, a disgraced and dethroned king, whom God rejected. Some overzealous followers of the new ruler, King David, thought they were doing the king a favor by killing Mephibosheth's uncle, causing all of Saul's relatives to panic.


And then, as if that isn't enough, after Mephibosheth grows up, King David suddenly and mysteriously orders him to appear before him. Doesn't sound like his life is going so well...


By the looks of things, Mephibosheth was already disgraced (because of his grandfather) and destitute (because he was lame), and now he seems to be doomed (because of the royal summons). But that was before he met the king.


What Mephibosheth didn't know, is that King David was actually best friends with Mephibosheth's father, Jonathan, son of the de-throned King Saul. Unfortunately, Jonathan had died in battle along with his father years ago, leaving Mephibosheth an orphan. But, before he died, he and David made a covenant that they wouldn't ever harm the other's descendants.


So, after David became king, he wanted to show kindness to Saul's family for Jonathan's sake. And Mephibosheth was the perfect candidate for a huge surprise.


David sent for the Mephibosheth. When he arrived, the scared man fell on his face before the king. Then, to Mephibosheth's amazement, David told him that all of the land that belonged to Saul (his grandfather) would be restored to him, and he would always eat at the king's table (an honor reserved for the king's sons).


It's almost like King David adopted Mephibosheth as his own son -- he certainly was treated like royalty. Despite Mephibosheth's disability, despite the fact that most people would view him as a pathetic outcast, the king suddenly changed his future and transformed his life.


Aren't each of us a little bit like Mephibosheth? Spiritually, we are disgraced (born as sinners serving Satan), destitute (incapable of saving ourselves from the mess we're in), and doomed (on our way to spend eternity in hell because we can't stand before a holy God). But remember, "when the King comes everything changes."


God came down to live among us and traded places with us, dying for our sins. Now He offers to transform our lives and forever change our eternal future. We just have to believe in Jesus and accept the free gift.


Does it make sense? No. We don't deserve it. We're pathetic, helpless, and incapable of doing anything good in and of ourselves. But don't question the King. It was His choice. Just don't throw away His selfless offer. He wants to adopt you as His own child. You don't need to be on your own any more.




"God looked through all the 'orphanage' and He choose me--the one orphan who was least deserving."


JPK