For the past weeks, we have been looking at the various stories in the Old Testament which reveal the types and shadows of Christ. The stories such as Joseph, the prince of Egypt, Noah's Ark, the Ark of the Covenant and Passover Lamb, were some of prominent features embedded in OT and are commonly selected by publisher/producer for story telling in children's bible or movie making.
The beauty of such stories being revealed as a form of Christ bring the entire OT into a whole new level of our understanding about God and His plan. It helps us to figure out the big picture of who He is and what He is doing in this fallen world.
It is therefore incorrect to think nor limit the boundaries of what we can learn from these wonderful stories. The deeper we go, the more we can see His wisdom, the more it authenticates itself, the more it reveals to us the amazing story of God’s plan of redemption through Jesus Christ. Amen! Hallelujah!
The week we shall look into another stories in the OT. This time, not only do we see the "hidden" Christ, it will also reveal to us the very heart of our God for His people.
2 Samuel 9:1-7
1 Now David said, “Is there still anyone who is left of the house of Saul, that I may show him kindness for Jonathan’s sake?”
2 And there was a servant of the house of Saul whose name was Ziba. So when they had called him to David, the king said to him, “Are you Ziba?” He said, “At your service!”
3 Then the king said, “Is there not still someone of the house of Saul, to whom I may show the kindness of God?”
And Ziba said to the king, “There is still a son of Jonathan who is lame in his feet.”
4 So the king said to him, “Where is he?” And Ziba said to the king, “Indeed he is in the house of Machir the son of Ammiel, in Lo Debar.”
5 Then King David sent and brought him out of the house of Machir the son of Ammiel, from Lo Debar.
6 Now when Mephibosheth the son of Jonathan, the son of Saul, had come to David, he fell on his face and prostrated himself. Then David said, “Mephibosheth?” And he answered, “Here is your servant!”
7 So David said to him, “Do not fear, for I will surely show you kindness for Jonathan your father’s sake, and will restore to you all the land of Saul your grandfather; and you shall eat bread at my table continually.”
When the people in the palace heard that King Saul and his son Jonathan had died in battle, they were panicked and fearful that David would come to seize the throne, and kill all the sons and grandsons of Saul. Hence, they ran for their lives. A nurse took Mephibosheth, Jonathan’s son, and ran. But as she fled, the young boy fell and became lame in both feet. (2 Samuel 4:4)
The poor boy would not have been crippled if they had known that David actually loved Jonathan and Saul. They could have looked after Jonathan’s son because David had made a covenant with Jonathan. (1 Samuel 18:3)
In this story, King Saul represents the human race. He is like Adam who sinned against God and forfeited all that God gave to man. He had the position, but not the power anymore because of sin. Jonathan, who came after Saul, represents Jesus, who came as a human. Jonathan was not like Saul — he was good, just as Jesus is not like Adam — Jesus is the perfect Man. David represents God. So Jonathan’s covenant with David speaks of Jesus’ covenant with God. Mephibosheth represents believers today who are “lame” in some way — sick, depressed, fearful, poor and so on.
Well, the good news is when we understand the true gospel, we know firmly in our heart that David is not going after Mephibosheth's life! God will not judge nor punish us today when we sin. Far from it! When David looked for Mephibosheth, it was to show him kindness, to take care of him and restore to him the land that had belonged to Saul his grandfather.
Likewise, God is not out to get us. He knows all about our sins and still loves us. We can never fathom the depth, the length, the width and the height of His love for us. Through this story, we only catch a glimpse of how much He loves us. Who could ever understand a God who chose to send His Beloved Son to make the payment for our sins? As a father myself, I cannot imagine sending my child to die for the sin of another!
At the cross, the passerby were curious whether Jesus is really the Son of God. They were waiting to see the power of God would manifest before them through Jesus. They look for signs and wonder. When Jesus did "nothing" at the cross, the passerby filled with disbelieve, mocked at Him. Jesus did not seem like retaliating nor overcoming the situation He was in. He was totally submitted to the circumstances. He was neither there to prove to these passerby that He is God. Instead, He chose to drink the cup; He chose go through the suffering for our sake. Isn't He wonderful? This is the Lord we worship! Amen! Hallelujah!
Matthew 27:39-40
39 And those who passed by blasphemed Him, wagging their heads 40 and saying, “You who destroy the temple and build it in three days, save Yourself! If You are the Son of God, come down from the cross.”
Praise be to Jesus who stood fast at the cross and completed the work God sent Him to accomplish. If Jesus were to come down from the cross then, today we will be in deep trouble. We are thankful to Jesus who did not give up but completed His mission on the cross. A New Covenant is cut right after He shouted "It is finished!" Hallelujah!
And because of Jesus' covenant with God, we do not have to run away from God anymore. God want us to see His kindness for Jesus' sake. He want us to run to Him and not run away from Him!
Today, God is saying to us “Don’t be afraid, I will surely show you kindness for Jesus' sake. I will restore all to you and you shall always eat at My table continually!” Amen! Hallelujah! Thank you, Jesus!
Grace and peace be with you.
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