The Life Of David: Who’s Invited to Your Table? – Pastor Nate Keeler
In Luke 4, Jesus makes a bold statement: the entire Old Testament points to Him. Every page, every prophecy, and every character somehow reflects who Jesus is, why He came, or what He’s like. The story of Mephibosheth is one of the clearest and most beautiful portraits of Jesus, and it’s also a mirror that shows us who we are and how we’re called to live in response.
Jesus is frequently referred to as the Son of David because David, at his best, gives us a glimpse of Jesus’ heart and the core of the gospel. So, when we read stories like Mephibosheth’s, we’re not just reading history. We’re reading ourselves into the story. And here’s the truth: we’re not David. We’re Mephibosheth.
A Quick Look at Mephibosheth’s Story
Mephibosheth was the son of Jonathan and the grandson of King Saul. When Saul and Jonathan died in battle, Mephibosheth was just a child. In the chaos that followed, he was dropped while being carried to safety and left permanently crippled.
Years later, King David asked if there was anyone left in Saul’s family to whom he could show kindness for Jonathan’s sake. He was told about Mephibosheth, who was living in Lo-Debar, a remote and barren place. David summoned him—not to punish him, but to bless him.
David restored Mephibosheth’s inheritance and gave him a permanent seat at the king’s table. It was a powerful act of mercy, grace, and restoration toward someone who could do nothing to earn it.
We Are Mephibosheth
Spiritually speaking, we find ourselves in the same condition as Mephibosheth: broken, forgotten, and living in a hopeless place.
In Ephesians 2, Paul describes life apart from God. “You were dead in your transgressions and sins… by nature deserving of wrath… without hope and without God in the world.” That’s our reality without Jesus. Like Mephibosheth, we are spiritually crippled, unable to rescue ourselves, and completely dependent on the mercy of the King.
Mephibosheth even calls himself a “dead dog.” It’s a harsh phrase, but it accurately reflects our spiritual state. We are sinners by both nature and choice, and our sin separates us from a holy God. We might want to believe that we’re good enough on our own, that God will weigh our good against our bad. But Scripture doesn’t support that idea. God’s standard is holiness, and none of us measure up.
Until we recognize our spiritual need and admit our desperation, we will never fully understand or receive the love that God offers.
Jesus Extends God’s Love to Us
Just as David sought someone to show kindness to, Jesus came to seek and save the lost. He came looking for people to whom He could extend God’s covenant love.
Jesus offers us:
- Mercy – He does not give us what we deserve. The wages of sin is death, but Jesus took our punishment and forgives our sin.
- Grace – He gives us what we don’t deserve: love, favor, and new life. He blesses us and gives us His Spirit to live within us.
- Restoration – He gives us a new heart and a new identity. We are no longer separated from God but empowered to live in obedience and purpose.
- Relationship – We are brought into God’s family, given a seat at His table, and adopted as His children. Ephesians 2:13 says, “You who once were far away have been brought near by the blood of Christ.” Verse 19 continues, “You are no longer foreigners and strangers, but fellow citizens with God’s people and also members of His household.”
David paid a cost to bring Mephibosheth to his table. Jesus paid a much higher one—His very life. Romans 5:10 tells us, “While we were God’s enemies, we were reconciled to Him through the death of His Son.” The crown David wore became a crown of thorns for Jesus. He bore our shame and guilt and paid the full price so we could be restored.
This is chesed love—God’s loyal, faithful, covenant love. This is how God shows His love to us.
Now We Show God’s Love to Others
Once we’ve received this love, we’re called to reflect it. The story doesn’t end with us sitting at the King’s table. In Christ, we are transformed and empowered to act like David—to extend the same kind of love that we received.
We show God’s love by:
- Inviting others to receive the gospel
We carry the message of hope and salvation to those around us. Jesus’ heart is for the spiritually lost. He says, “Come to me, all who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.” He tells stories about a shepherd who leaves the ninety-nine to find the one lost sheep. That same love drives us to share the good news with our family, friends, coworkers, and neighbors. - Serving the physically needy
Jesus’ love also extends to the vulnerable and the hurting. In Matthew 25, He says, “I was hungry, and you gave me something to eat… I was a stranger, and you invited me in.” He concludes in verse 40, “Whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me.”
Who Are You Inviting to Your Table?
That means when we serve the poor, feed the hungry, care for the sick, visit the imprisoned, or welcome the refugee, we are loving Jesus Himself. These are not just good deeds. They are gospel deeds—acts of hesed love that reflect the very heart of Christ.
Showing God’s love is deeply practical.
- Are you opening your home to those who are lonely or in need?
- Are you providing meals or hospitality to someone going through a hard time?
- Are you volunteering with ministries that serve the homeless, visit the sick, support the disabled, or help the incarcerated reenter society?
- Are you speaking up for the voiceless and advocating for those who can’t defend themselves?
- Are you supporting immigrants or refugees who are navigating life in a foreign culture?
These are not just good deeds. They are gospel deeds. Acts of compassion that mirror the King’s love.
And yes, conversations around compassion can be politically charged. But our example is not a politician or a podcast host. It’s Jesus. While there may be legitimate debates about systems and policies, our hearts must remain soft. We must never let cultural noise drown out the call to compassion that has marked the Church for 2,000 years.
Living Out the Invitation
Here’s the question: How will you respond to God’s love?
If you’ve never received it, today is the day. You’ve been given a royal invitation. Don’t turn back to Lo-Debar. Come to the table.
If you have received it, then carry it. Extend the invitation. Show God’s love. Open your table, open your heart, and walk in the same hesed love that has been poured out on you.
This is how we show God’s love—by living it, sharing it, and reflecting it wherever we go.