So, I got an email from my best friend, Steve Rowe, this morning. He starts off by telling me a story about a guy he met just two weeks ago at his church. I’ll share the story and then comment later below…
Firstly a great Testimony for you relating to Mephibosheth/ Primitive Rhythm Machine. A 40 year old guy came up to me at Church 2 weeks ago & asked if I was Steve Rowe. He goes to my Church of 900 but to a different service. He so happened to be at the 6PM service that we attend in winter as Leighton umpires Suburban Aussie Rules Football games on Sundays in Winter.
He told me that mid 1997 (About when you were here on my Dying Day by my side in support) he bought PRM from a music store in Melbourne. He was a drug Addict & Alcoholic & sat down that night to smoke some bongs & listen to PRM.
His name is Jamie. On the night he was totally stoned while listening to the Album & reading the lyrics & the Mephibosheth Bible Study that you wrote. Jamie told me that instantly he was unstoned, in tears & gave his life to Christ. He had no idea what he was doing but knew it was what he needed to save his kife. he was very depressed & on his way out of life.
Unfortunately he hooked up with a cult who made him burn $100,000 worth of Records & CDs. Anyway, he really wanted to follow Jesus. eventually he found his way to my church some years back & was still struggling. He went through a program at our Church called Celebrate Recovery & now he is one of the main leaders/ facilitators of this ministry helping people just like himself back in the 80’s & 90’s.
He is a drummer but also back in the 90’s under that cult trashed his drum kit. but he is considering & praying about Auditioning for Mort! He is a single dad with a 10 year old daughter who he has full custody of. So joining Mort would be something he really needs to prayerfully consider. Cool story huh? & he was in my church all along. We make a great Evangelism team! Praise God for this life saved! I believe Christianity is about people like this finding Christ & a Christian world view is simply of no impact for God’s Kingdom. If it was not for me hearing Resurrection Band I would be dead.
Imagine this being a news story and reporters rushing up to me for a reaction (hey, a guy can fantasize and dream, can’t he? hahaha). Your reaction, Mr. Van Pelt?
“Well, I’m blown away. What can you say? God is good. Isn’t it amazing that He would use a simple song, some printed lyrics and a Bible study to sober up a stoned person and draw them to Himself in one instant!? Praise God! He is alive and His Word is beautiful and amazing.
“The story behind the song Mephibosheth is so beautiful. David is an awesome (and flawed) character in the Bible. His friendship with Jonathan was epic. Jonathan saw the writing on the wall, knew that his buddy was going to be made king and that his dad (the demon-possessed Saul) was going to be ousted – probably by force, and which would probably include losing his own life as the new regime would storm the palace and execute all remaining living heirs to the throne. Jonathan was smart. He made a covenant with David, “Show kindness to me and my household, all your life.” It was a blood covenant. History unfolded, Saul was killed along with Jonathan and David was made king of Israel.
“One day later David remembered his covenant. He inquired, “Is there anyone from Jonathan’s family still alive?” Turns out there was a young man named Mephibosheth, who was probably playing on the floor when the palace evacuation happened. In the turmoil he was dropped and crippled for life. You can imagine that he probably very easily grew up to hate and mistrust King David, who took the throne and his family’s life. He was discovered and brought before David. He probably thought, ‘This is it. He’s going to finish the job of exterminating Jonathan’s family. I’m a goner.’ But that is the opposite of what happened. David told him he had a place at the family table and all that was his father’s was his. He got land, property and a place to live in the palace of the king.
“That’s radical, active grace. It is such a parable of the kingdom of God. It is truly one of the great hidden stories of the New Testament gospel nestled in the pages of the Old Testament. Read 2 Samuel 9 for yourself. For further reading, check out the wonderful book by Malcolm Smith, Spiritual Burnout. He expounds on it in dramatic fashion. Here’s a link to his site.
“Somehow this guy read that story and it pierced his heart. He responded to a vivid description of God’s love and grace towards him. He decided instantly to return the love. How can you ignore such a great love? The lover of our souls cares about us so much. All the esteem and self-value and affirmation in the world can’t begin to compare with how special God can make you feel when you open your heart to Him in faith. Apparently this guy did that. The fact that I was somehow connected to this story? Praise God. I’m so grateful for my own forgiveness and grace shown to me, a flawed sinner, that I’m only too glad to say, ‘It’s an honor to serve in God’s kingdom. I don’t care if it’s cleaning the toilets, washing people’s feet or being an usher at my church. Being able to tell God, ‘I love you’ with my actions is a privilege.'”
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