What does the Bible say about disabilities?
pastor’s corner By Paul Hathcoat
What does God think about people with disabilities? What does the Bible say about disabilities? What does God think about people with disabilities? Did He create me this way? These questions and more are exactly what many of the adults involved in my Special Needs ministry ask on a regular basis. This is part 1 of my response. Jesus addresses disability at several points during his ministry. He does not shy away from talking about how and why people came to be disabled as well as how we are to respond to them. There is depth, care and love in his words and heart as He gives us insight into who His father is through His teachings on disabilities. Let’s start with Jesus’ words in the Book of John. Jesus was asked in John 9:2–4 “teacher,” his disciples asked him, “why was this man born blind? Was it because of his own sins or his parents’ sins?” “It was NOT because of his sins or his parents’ sins,” Jesus answered. “This happened so the power of God could be seen in him.” (NLT) As Jesus explains that disabilities are not punishments for some sin or wrongdoing, we begin to understand how important it is to not only acknowledge those in our midst who are living with disabilities but to behold them with respect and honor in order to reflect our Father’s wishes for their lives. Pushing through a life filled with challenge and adaptation because of a disability is one of the highest forms of worship and testimony to the power that God has placed within all of us. I often take for granted my accessible and uncomplicated path through life and wish to expose my community to the everyday experiences of individuals and families living with disabilities. There are respect and recognition that need to be present if we are to truly live in community with all people around us. I also draw heavily from the section in 1 Corinthians 12:12-27 that exposes the tapestry that God has created for us to follow and be a part of in order to cooperate and unify ourselves and others into a whole unit or society of believers. “12 The human body has many parts, but the many parts make up one whole body. So it is with the body of Christ. 13 Some of us are Jews, some are Gentiles, [a] some are slaves, and some are
30 Special Needs Living • March 2021
free. But we have all been baptized into one body by one Spirit, and we all share the same Spirit.[b] 14 Yes, the body has many different parts, not just one part. 15 If the foot says, “I am not a part of the body because I am not a hand,” that does not make it any less a part of the body. 16 And if the ear says, “I am not part of the body because I am not an eye,” would that make it any less a part of the body? 17 If the whole body were an eye, how would you hear? Or if your whole body were an ear, how would you smell anything? 18 But our bodies have many parts, and God has put each part just where He wants it. 19 How strange a body would be if it had only one part! 20 Yes, there are many parts, but only one body. 21 The eye can never say to the hand, “I don’t need you.” The head can’t say to the feet, “I don’t need you.” 22 In fact, some parts of the body that seem weakest and least important are actually the most necessary.” What if we saw each and every one of our neighbors as an integral part of the whole? What if everyone saw individuals living with disabilities as those “most necessary” parts of their communities and created a culture where they served as a catalyst for cooperation, care, and harmonious mindsets? In the nation we find ourselves living within today, God’s view and purpose for people living with disabilities could actually be the advice that breaks through barriers and unites differing opinions and ideologies. As we walk through the second part of this discussion next month, join me in praying that as we uncover the love that our Lord has for people of all abilities, we also start to shed the discontent that many of us have for our fellow community members. Author’s Notes – If you want to read more about the sources used in this letter each month, or hear about the disability ministries around you, feel free to contact Paul Hathcoat at the information below.
Scriptures referenced – 1 Corinthians 12:12–27 Paul Hathcoat Email: phathcoat@wrcc.org Ph #: 317-840-5558 Do you have a thought, idea or information that you would like to see in this section in an upcoming issue? Email Paul Hathcoat – phathcoat@wrcc.org.
