In many cultures disability is considered to be a curse. God has cursed the family with a child with a disability and the cause is seen as a punishment from God for a particular sin. Moreover the mother is often said to bear the shame of that curse. Does this align with what scripture says? What are God’s thoughts towards people with disabilities? Whilst some of us may believe the child is cursed, or the mom has sinned, others of us may just believe that people with disabilities are “other”. The way I think about someone will impact the way I treat them. So our thoughts have massive consequences for how we interact with family, friends and communities. How do our thoughts on disability align with God’s?
More Than Just A Disability
According to the World Health Organization, disability results “from the interaction between individuals with a health condition, such as cerebral palsy, Down’s syndrome and depression, with personal and environmental factors including negative attitudes, inaccessible transportation and public buildings and limited social support.”
Disability is so much more than the health condition itself. People without disabilities often contribute to the disempowerment of people with disabilities.
Therefore, a disability is so much more than the health condition itself. Individuals without disabilities so often contribute to the disempowerment of people with disabilities through negative attitudes and not giving them the social support they need. A disability is more than a diagnosis, it carries a vast array of social and environmental implications. But Jesus shakes these ideas up when confronted with a distorted worldview.
With a Disability – You Are Glorious And Welcome
In John 9:1-3 Jesus sees a man who was blind from birth, and his disciples ask Jesus whether he was blind because the man or his parents sinned. Jesus replies: “Neither this man nor his parents sinned, but this happened so that the works of God might be displayed in him.” And Jesus heals him. Instead of a product of sin or curse, Jesus sees an opportunity for a glorious display of God.
Furthermore, in Luke 14:15-24, Jesus tells the parable of a great banquet. In Luke 14:16 Jesus begins with: “A certain man was preparing a great banquet and invited many guests.” And goes on to say in Luke 14:21 that the invitation is extended to “Go out quickly into the streets and alleys of the town and bring in the poor, the crippled, the blind and the lame.” Jesus reveals how people who are poor and who have disabilities are invited to the great banquet feast in the kingdom of God. Jesus does not offer healing first. He invites them just as they are. Jesus welcomes people with disabilities into his kingdom!
Throughout the gospels we read how Jesus takes time with people with illnesses and disabilities. He speaks directly to them; he touches them and he heals them. To Jesus, those with a disability are glorious to God and welcome in his kingdom.
A View From Above
So, before we adopt a lowly view of disabilities, we not only need Jesus to redirect our misconceptions, but adopt an affirmed view from above. We see all people have value because we are made in God’s image (Genesis 1:26). We are all God’s image bearers and have been fearfully and wonderfully made (Psalm 139:14). When man disobeyed God, everything was broken, and sickness and disability entered the world (Genesis 3). But we have the hope that Jesus is reconciling all things, and ultimately this will be in heaven (Colossians 1:19-20). John 10:10 says that Jesus brings life to the full. Can a person with a disability have an abundant life when they put their faith in Jesus? Yes! God affirms the value of those who have disabilities and offers the same hope for everyone, with or without a diagnosis.
Change Of View
God disables any distorted notions of disability. But we need to understand the implications of a changed view. Disability is so varied and unless we understand the different diagnoses and causes of disability, we may lump anyone with a health condition together and label them “disabled”. We then try to avoid them because we don’t know how to interact with them. Investing time to gain knowledge into someone’s specific diagnosis will challenge your stereotypes and empower you to serve them.
Whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God.
Nizar was a little boy with cerebral palsy. Cerebral palsy is a disorder that occurs before, during or after birth and affects muscle movement. Children with cerebral palsy are smart and emotionally astute, but they are often not able to express this as they do not have full control of their muscles. Nizar was an intelligent little boy. But cerebral palsy left him unable to speak or move his body except for three fingers on his right hand. We worked with Nizar and his mother for many years and saw much progress. We grew to love him, but sadly in 2020 he contracted COVID and passed away.
At his funeral his mother chose to sit with us and mourn with us, rather than her family and honoured guests. We ate, we wept and reminisced together. We were able to share the hope we have in Jesus while the Muslim prayers continued in the adjacent room. Our love and interaction with Nizar’s family while he was alive allowed us to share Christ’s love in his death.
Get hands on
What are practical ways that we as Jesus followers can demonstrate a positive view of disability? Firstly, we recognise that our words can bring life or they can break a person down. Be intentional by referring to them as a ‘person with a disability’ or a ‘person with a visual impairment’ etc. Avoid words like crippled, weak and handicapped.
Secondly, make an effort to treat people with disabilities with respect. Make the environment accessible to them, respect their choices and opinions. Invite them to join conversations and leadership structures, communicate in a way that they can understand.
And lastly, invest in understanding someone’s diagnosis so you can serve them better.
