From Death To Life

We conclude our Resurrection Week, still dealing with resurrection marvels and wonders. We shall wait to see how this meditation, all in vivid Resurrection Light, impacts our hearts and minds. We are drawing living, relevant pictures from a life that is lame, and seeing whether or not each of us, as individuals, share anything in common with this lame person, where our spiritual lives are concerned.

Who is this lame person? He is Mephibosheth, who lived, a disabled life, not just physically, but socially, spiritually, and emotionally. Are you presently living an able or disable life? Listen to some of his unfortunate experiences, which all united to keep him in a dour state. They ensured that his life was dead. Mephibosheth was breathing yes, but though physically alive, he was spiritually dead. He was betrayed, taken advantage of and all that belonged to him lawfully and legally, of his royal inheritance, was all lost to him. Is this you?

We are told that Mephibosheth went into a state of depression when King David had to leave. Is this not similar to the depressed state of King Jesus’ disciples, when He was crucified, dead and buried? He had left them and they were as, ‘fish out of water’, afraid, alone and lost. View this picture of Mephibosheth. He had not taken care of his feet or trimmed his mustache or washed his clothes from the day the king left until the day he returned safely. 2 Samuel 19: 24b. We look at the disciples of Christ Jesus, after He had left them. Are they not also spiritually unkempt? At one time, they were alert, excited, motivated and following Jesus step by step, all the way. Today, they are dreary, demotivated, lacking zeal and doing what they had given up, when they met the Man from Galilee. He had them fishing for people instead. Now, they are so demoralized, demotivated and down, they have returned to the ‘dead work’ of fishing. Are you doing the work which God has called you to do? Are you bearing His spiritual fruit in abundance? Is your life one of daily excitement and anticipation, learning and living in the Lord? If it is not, then your life is one unkempt in the spirit.

Is there hope of change for you? Was there hope and change for Mephibosheth? Was there hope and change for the disciples?

We look at ‘dead’ Mephibosheth and hear how the king has sent for him, with these permanent changes to be made to his life. The desire and order of the king concerning Mephibosheth, totally revives us and changes us too, for is this not true of our King Jesus? Is there any one of these facts, which King Jesus does not desire and require of us? Are these not marvellous and wonderful Resurrection Works? Will you personally accept each one?

He changes his place of residence and comes to live with the king in his kingdom. I too must leave my present abiding place and go to live with King Jesus. Does not Jesus also want me to change my place of living, mentally, spiritually and socially, and come live with Him? Has He not categorically stated, In the same way, those of you who do not give up everything you have cannot be my disciple. Luke 14: 33.

He is afraid, for all this is too true to be real and he had been deceived and betrayed too often by friends and helpers. But the king assures Mephibosheth, completely removing his fears. Don’t be afraid, David said to him, for I will surely show you kindness for the sake of your father Jonathan. 2 Samuel 9: 7a. I too can no longer be afraid, for King Jesus has promised to show me kindness for the sake of my Father in Heaven.

He is given back all that has been lost to him, restored by the king. I will restore to you all the land that belonged to your grandfather Saul, and you will always eat at my table. 2 Samuel 9: 7b. I too have had restored to me, all that was lost to me, by our generous King Jesus. Is it not Jesus who has announced this most publicly? No one who has left home or brother or sister or mother or father or children or fields for me and the gospel will fail to receive a hundred times as much in this present age: homes, brothers, sisters, mothers, children and fields – along with persecutions – and in the age to come eternal life. Mark 10: 29b – 30. I must trust the Word of God, to restore to me all that my heavenly Father has given to me.

He is fed and nourished daily at the king’s table, sumptuously fed – no lack, no want – just satisfying, life-building food. I too am daily fed in unimaginable bounty at the King’s Table of pure grace. Jesus once told His disciples to observe the birds, God’s creation, who are unable to feed themselves, yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not more valuable than they? Matthew 6: 26b. Do I acknowledge that I am fed daily, spiritual food also, from my Father’s Table?

He knows the humility and surrender of life to the king, who has saved him from deserved death. The wages of sin is death and he deserves nothing but death. However, he has been forgiven by the king and is assured not just life, but abundant life with the king. Listen to Mephibosheth’s life of undying thanks to the king. All my grandfather’s descendants deserved nothing but death from my lord the king, but you gave your servant a place among those who eat at your table. So what right do I have to make any more appeals to the king? 2 Samuel 19: 28. Yes, we deserve nothing but everlasting punishment from our Sovereign Lord, but He has forgiven us and His mercy is from everlasting to everlasting.