Wednesday August 5, 2009

Wednesday August 5, 2009

by Rev. Dr. Jo Hudson
Rector & Senior Pastor

David asked, "Is there no one still left of the house of Saul to whom I can show God's kindness?"  When Mephibosheth son of Jonathan, the son of Saul, came to David, he bowed down to pay him honor. David said, "Mephibosheth!" "Your servant," he replied. 2 Samuel 9. 1-13

There is a tender moment in the Hebrew Scriptures.  It is after all the wars and violence, after Saul has died and Jonathan his son, who loved David, had been killed.  David asks, “Is there anyone still left of the house of Saul to whom I can show kindness for Jonathan’s sake?”

This is an amazing question because King Saul had been jealous of David and had sought his life.  Still, David had so loved Saul’s son Jonathan, that long after wars had ceased, David had sought out an opportunity to honor Jonathan’s life by showing compassion to someone whom Jonathan had loved. What an amazing act of love.  In spite of all the hate, all the fear, and all the struggles David ultimately wanted to offer compassion to someone to honor his love for Jonathan, who had loved him into life.

I just have to wonder what our world would be like if every one of us sought to offer compassion to someone in the name of someone we have loved.  Can you imagine what our world would become?  Can you imagine how you and I would be transformed?

Jesus wanted us to learn this truth.  If we can love others even if the one we love is linked to one who has done us harm, we can transform our world.  What was it Jesus said, “Love your enemies and do good to those who hate you.” (Luke 6. 27) Can we do that?  I hope so, because that kind of love changes us from people who live in fear to those who live in love.

There is a beautiful ending to the story of David and Jonathan.  David loved Jonathan so much that he took Jonathan’s son, Mephibosheth, and his son Mica, into David’s care and made sure that the child and grandchild of Jonathan were treated like kings and were blessed all of his days.

Holy God, Lover of all, help us to love as you love. Amen.