Luke 5:27-32

The Church

Jonathan, the son of Saul, had a son who was crippled in his feet Jonathan, the son of Saul, had a son who was crippled in his feet. He was five years old when the news about Saul and Jonathan came from Jezreel, and his nurse took him up and fled, and as she fled in her haste, he fell and became lame. And his name was Mephibosheth. 2 Samuel 4:4

And David said, “Is there still anyone left of the house of Saul, that I may show him kindness for Jonathan's sake?” 2 Samuel 9:1

Now there was a servant of the house of Saul whose name was Ziba, and they called him to David. And the king said to him, “Are you Ziba?” And he said, “I am your servant.” 2 Samuel 9:2

And the king said, “Is there not still someone of the house of Saul, that I may show the kindness of God to him?” Ziba said to the king, “There is still a son of Jonathan; he is crippled in his feet.” 2 Samuel 9:3

What is your label?

The king said to him, “Where is he The king said to him, “Where is he?” And Ziba said to the king, “He is in the house of Machir the son of Ammiel, at Lo-debar.” 2 Samuel 9:4

Then King David sent and brought him from the house of Machir the son of Ammiel, at Lo-debar. And Mephibosheth the son of Jonathan, son of Saul, came to David and fell on his face and paid homage. And David said, “Mephibosheth!” And he answered, “Behold, I am your servant.” 2 Samuel 9:5,6

And David said to him, “Do not fear, for I will show you kindness for the sake of your father Jonathan, and I will restore to you all the land of Saul your father, and you shall eat at my table always.” 2 Samuel 9:7

And he paid homage and said, “What is your servant, that you should show regard for a dead dog such as I?” 2 Samuel 9:8

Do you believe your label?

Then the king called Ziba, Saul's servant, and said to him, “All that belonged to Saul and to all his house I have given to your master's grandson.  2 Samuel 9:9

And you and your sons and your servants shall till the land for him and shall bring in the produce, that your master's grandson may have bread to eat. But Mephibosheth your master's grandson shall always eat at my table.” Now Ziba had fifteen sons and twenty servants.  2 Samuel 9:10

Then Ziba said to the king, “According to all that my lord the king commands his servant, so will your servant do.” So Mephibosheth ate at David’s table, like one of the king's sons.  2 Samuel 9:11

And Mephibosheth had a young son, whose name was Mica And Mephibosheth had a young son, whose name was Mica. And all who lived in Ziba's house became Mephibosheth's servants. So Mephibosheth lived in Jerusalem, for he ate always at the king's table. Now he was lame in both his feet. 2 Samuel 9:12,13

After this he went out and saw a tax collector named Levi, sitting at the tax booth. And he said to him, “Follow me.” And leaving everything, he rose and followed him. Luke 5:27,28

And Levi made him a great feast in his house, and there was a large company of tax collectors and others reclining at table with them.  Luke 5:29

And the Pharisees and their scribes grumbled at his disciples, saying, “Why do you eat and drink with tax collectors and sinners?”  Luke 5:30

And Jesus answered them, “Those who are well have no need of a physician, but those who are sick. I have not come to call the righteous but sinners to repentance.” Luke 5:31,32

The lame, broken and sinful are welcome at Christ’s table.

You and I have a seat at the King’s table.

Or do you not know that the unrighteous will not inherit the kingdom of God? Do not be deceived: neither the sexually immoral, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor men who practice homosexuality, nor thieves, nor the greedy, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor swindlers will inherit the kingdom of God.  1 Corinthians 6:9,10

And such were some of you And such were some of you. But you were washed, you were sanctified, you were justified in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ and by the Spirit of our God. 1 Corinthians 6:11

Our old labels are removed at the King’s table.

At the King’s table, we are given the labels “child of God” and “disciple of Christ”.

We are united as the church at the King’s table.

For as many of you as were baptized into Christ have put on Christ For as many of you as were baptized into Christ have put on Christ. There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither slave nor free, there is no male and female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus.  Galatians 3:27,28

As disciples of Christ, our tables must be open with grace, love and kindness.

Healing and community begin and grow around tables.

Fairlane Family Community Challenge

Part 1 In the next 30 days, share a meal with another member of the Fairlane family.

Hear their story and discover how you can serve and bless them. Part 2 In the next 30 days, share a meal with a member of the community who is not a member at Fairlane. Hear their story and discover how you can serve and bless them.