[Almost 20 years have passed since Mephibosheth was invited to David’s table. The Gibonites demanded justice for the breach of Joshua’s covenant not to anihilate them], “It was Saul who planned to destroy us, to keep us from having any place at all in the territory of Israel. So let seven of Saul’s sons be handed over to us, and we will execute them before the LORD at Gibeon, on the mountain of the LORD.” “All right,” the king said, “I will do it.” The king spared Jonathan’s son Mephibosheth, who was Saul’s grandson, because of the oath David and Jonathan had sworn before the LORD. But he gave them Saul’s two sons Armoni and Mephibosheth, whose mother was Rizpah daughter of Aiah. He also gave them the five sons of Saul’s daughter Merab, the wife of Adriel.
2 Samuel 21:5–8, NLT
After hearing the news, Mephibosheth gained additional insight into the nature of the Covenant Love
Dear Diary,
Today has been a day of deep reflection, caught between the jaws of mercy and justice. The Gibeonites have executed another Mephibosheth, son of Rizpah. The coincidence of our names serves as a divine mirror, a stark reminder of what could have been my fate. Instead of me, he was hanged on the hill before the Lord.
For two decades, I’ve experienced Covenant Love through grace. King David made me part of his family, treating me as one of his own sons. But today, it dawned on me that this grace isn’t free. Every meal, every moment of security, has been paid for by David. Grace isn’t just receiving what I don’t deserve; it’s someone else shouldering the cost. When the King declares, “You are worthy,” he absorbs the cost to make it true.
Today, another layer of Covenant Love unfolded—mercy. I should have been among those who atone for the sins of my forefather [1]. But I was spared, shielded by the covenant love that David had for my father, Jonathan. A kinsman redeemer was substituted in my place. Mercy isn’t just not receiving what I deserve; it’s someone else bearing the weight of my punishment. When the King commands, “Spare this one,” it’s because he also commands, “Take the kinsman.”
This leads me to ponder justice. Justice is the backbone, the integrity, of any covenant. Without justice, a covenant is empty words. And so, justice cannot be negated by mercy; rather, mercy is a higher form of fulfillment of retributive justice; just like costly grace goes beyond restorative vindication. I was spared by the same king who exacted justice from me. Justice was served, but not upon me.
I can’t help but think that this is a foreshadowing of a greater act of mercy, one that will come from the line of David, fulfilling God’s covenant in a way that we can’t yet comprehend. A mercy that will satisfy the justice of God, yet extend salvation to the undeserving. [2]. Today, I’ve caught a glimpse of it, and it fills my soul with awe and gratitude.
Covenant Love is not just about grace or mercy; it’s about costly love grounded in justice that is higher and deeper than I can fathom. I’m humbled because I know I’m unworthy, yet I’ve been made worthy by grace at a cost. I’m in awe because I know I deserved judgment, yet I’ve been spared by mercy at a price. I am a living testament to God’s Covenant Love—a love that is gracious, merciful, just, and costly. And for that, I am eternally grateful.
Mephibosheth
Share with your friends “How does understanding both grace and mercy deepen your view of God’s costly love for you?”
[1] For modern readers, the idea of descendants paying for the sins of forefathers is an interesting concept. On the one hand, many people would see it as an injustice since people should be held accountable for their wrongdoings. On the other hand, other people would think that paying reparation toward the descendants of America’s slaves in the previous centuries would be completely justifiable. This is an ongoing debate with both sides present compelling arguments, rooted in differing perspectives on justice, fairness, and moral responsibility.
[2] For the Christians, God’s justice holds us accountable both for our own sins (Personal Sins) and for our forefathers (Original Sin). However, God’s grace and mercy in Jesus’ atonement is generally understood to address both Personal Sins and Original Sin. Here’s how:
Atonement for Personal Sins:
– Substitutionary Atonement: This is the idea that Jesus Christ died as a substitute for sinners. The sins we commit individually are transferred to Him, and He bears the punishment we deserve.
– Penal Satisfaction: In this view, Jesus pays the penalty for individual sins, satisfying the demands of divine justice. This allows God to forgive personal sins without compromising His justice.
– Moral Influence: This theory posits that the life and death of Jesus serve as a profound moral example, inspiring individuals to turn from their sins.
Atonement for Original Sin:
– Federal Headship: In Reformed theology, Adam is considered the “federal head” of the human race. His sin is imputed to all his descendants. Jesus, as the “second Adam,” reverses this by imputing His righteousness to those who believe in Him.
– Sanctification: In addition to justification (being declared righteous), the atonement also includes sanctification—the process of becoming more like Christ. This addresses the corrupt nature inherited from Adam.
– Universal Restoration: Some theological perspectives hold that the atonement has cosmic implications, reversing the effects of the Fall not just for individuals but for the entire creation.
As I delve into this passage, I am reminded that grace is indeed free, but it is far from cheap. The depth of God’s grace and mercy becomes even more apparent as I contemplate the sacrifice of Jesus, who willingly laid down His life so that I may live. It’s a profound exchange—a life given for a life spared. The grace that Jesus demonstrated was not accidental; it was a deliberate act of love. He came with a purpose—to offer Himself as a ransom. In light of this, I am reminded of the importance of intentionality in my own acts of kindness towards others and keep in mind that it costs a man his life to give me the true life.
(from Roger)
Wow such a powerful passage. I am trying to grasp the depth of the covenant love that god has shared with each of us, even to those who are unaware and it’s truly amazing. Glorious. Understanding grace and mercy in my life make me awe stricken with what Jesus Christ has sacrificed for all of us. When I usually think of grace, I only think as far as the initial action of receiving or granting grace. I don’t think of the byproduct or the corollary simultaneous act of someone shouldering the cost, and I see the deeper layer of the covenant love spoken abt in the Bible. Jesus Christ gave his life so that we could live and be saved. The same can be said for how I viewed mercy. I thought only abt showing mercy to another in a situation where they deserved much worse than what they actually received but never pondered that for mercy to be shown, there is indeed someone who bares the weight of the punishment. And to think Jesus did all this for us when he died upon the cross is 💣 mind blowing (as Don already alluded to). Being taught the depths of gods love for us makes me want to be a better me. To do as he wishes for me (although I don’t know exactly what that is yet). It makes me want to learn more abt him and share this type of love with others when I remember and am capable of doing so. Awesome passage. I enjoyed it. Have a great weekend everyone.
It’s true! Grace is not free. It may be freely given but someone else is bearing the weight and absorbing the cost. When I reflect on God’s grace and mercy, I am in awe of how deep God’s love is! It’s even more shocking to know this is only a glimpse of God’s love & His love is deep beyond measure. I truly do look forward to the day I get to see God face to face and stand before Him in all His glory. Meanwhile, God’s costly love for me reminds me to extend grace and mercy to others. I simply do not want to be a recipient of God’s grace and NOT demonstrate what the Lord has shown me to others around me.
From Teri:
I do not deserve either His grace or mercy but He gave me both. I do not take either for granted and the only way I know I can repay Him, who needs nothing from me, is to be the person He would be proud to call His child. Even through all the challenges, I never once turn from God. I never forget His sacrifice and mercy.
My understanding of God’s costly love is that in order for us to be forgiven, we have to sacrifice a pure soul which is something none of us have. Which is why it is costly because there is no way for us to obtain that price. God Himself paid it for all of us with His own son. So compare to that, none of the sacrifices we can make is even close to what God has done for us. Yet, we are here as living proof of God’s love and mercy. We are humbled and loved by our Heavenly Father. I’m forever grateful for His love and mercy that gave me the opportunity to live again.
Understanding that just 2 words can deepen our view a lot, we all know that we receive God’s gift pricelessly. The only thing we need to do is share the gospel with those who don’t believe. Through His grace and mercy, I am saved and at peace. Although I’m not worthy to receive it, He died for me and gave me eternal life. It greatly impacts my thinking regarding His grace and mercy.
The understanding of both grace and mercy deepen my view of God’s costly love because it requires a sacrifice. Not only did we receive underserved love, but it was at someone else’s cost. Jesus paid the cross for us when He died on the cross, this was his sacrifice on our behalf- one we could never do on our own. This helps me love God with a deeper understanding of what He gave up so that I could have a relationship with Him bc He loves us that much. Being able to replicate that kind of love is one of the ways we can take action, by loving others without expecting any return
From today’s reading, I’ve learned a new thing that grace isn’t only about what I don’t deserve, but also about someone else bearing its cost. Understanding both grace and mercy deepens my view of God’s costly love for me. God chose me to become a believer when I was a kid, and I know that I’ve been receiving God’s love, care, and blessings even though I am a sinner. I pray to God to continue to teach me and draw me closer to Him, especially when I am distracted by my busyness in daily life.