The Kindness of a King

Illustration

I want to start by teaching you a cool new word to take back to your friends at school The word is antipodal. When things directly oppose each other, they're antipodal. Geographers use antipodal for places that are on the exact opposite sides of the earth from each other. Currently, we are in Marshall, TX. Can anyone guess which point on the globe is antipodal to Marshall?...Try the southern Indian Ocean. This exact location is in open waters far southwest of Australia and west of the southern tip of Western Australia. The closest land is hundreds of kilometers away in the Indian/Southern Ocean sector, making it completely remote from any major islands or cities. The closest actual city to this location is Perth, Australia, which is roughly 1,760 miles to the northeast. Perth, Australia is 10,677 miles away from Marshall, TX. A commercial flight itinerary typically takes between 24 to 32 hours of total travel time, requiring at least one or two layovers in hubs like Sydney, Los Angeles, Dubai, or Doha.

Yes, Perth, Australia is quite literally on the other side of the world. But what if there was something there that caused you to get on that plane and suck it up? What if there was the a promise that was over there waiting to be fulfilled, a covenant waiting to be kept? Well, that’s the experience of our friends David and Mephibosheth in this passage.

Some might look at this text and think that these characters are placed in antipodal positions and antipodal experiences. One has reached the highest heights, while the other lives in obscurity. They are figuratively on opposite sides of the world. But what does one have to do with the other?

Focus: This story shows us that God can use the power of a promise to bring people together from vastly different worlds.

Function: We should always be considerate of the opportunities God grants us to express the true nature of our royalty through our relationship with God.

Big Idea: You are royally responsible to reach out to those God wants to bring in.

Background:

A King’s Kindness has Eyes

A King’s Kindness has a Heart

A King’s Kindness has Hands