“So why the effort here…
One would think that it’s common sense to include others that are not like ourselves simply because it’s the right thing to do. Considering we live in a world that considers the concepts of right and wrong as relative, allow me to present the truth that gives us our foundation. Here we get to the core of why it is the “right thing to do.”
We have the examples and teachings of Jesus to say this should be a priority!
Jesus taught in parables; short stories centered around themes familiar to everyone around Him that share a truth. Such as:
“Then He also said to him who invited Him, ‘When you give a dinner or a supper, do not ask your friends, your brothers, your relatives, not rich neighbors, lest the also invite you back, and you be repaid. But when you give a feast, invite the poor, the maimed, the lame, the blind. And you will be blessed, because they cannot repay you, for you shall be repaid at the resurrection of the just.” Luke 14:12-14
Or what about how we should treat others:
“And the King will answer and say to them, ‘Assuredly, I say to you, inasmuch as you did it to one of the least of these my brethren, you did it to me.'” Matthew 25:40
Jesus also healed many, often at inconvenient moments, to prove a point:
“And behold, there was a man who had a withered hand. and they asked Him, saying, ‘Is it lawful to heal on the Sabbath?’ – that they might accuse Him. Then He said to them, ‘What man is there among you who has one sheep, and if it falls into a pit on the Sabbath, will not lay hold of it and lift it out? Of how much more value then is a man than a sheep? There it is lawful to do good on the Sabbath.’ Then he said to the man, ‘Stretch our your hand.’ And he stretched it out, and it was restored as whole as the other.” Matthew 12:10-13
or
“Now as Jesus passed by, He saw a man who was blind from birth. And His disciples asked Him, saying, ‘Rabbi, who sinned, this man or his parents, that he was born blind?’ Jesus answered, ‘Neither this man nor his parents sinned, but that the works of God should be revealed in him.'” John 9:1-3
Our “Great Commission” tells us to go. Not only should we go, but go everywhere for all… not some, all! Even those not of sound mind, or able body. All.
“Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all things that I have commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the earth.” Matthew 28:19-20
The Body of Christ is incomplete without those with special needs. They serve a purpose and have a very intentional function. Can you guess what that might be?
“For I say, through the grace given to me, to everyone who is among you, not to think of himself more highly that he ought to think, but to think soberly, as God has dealt to each one a measure of faith. For as we have many members in one body, but all the members do not have the same function, so we, being many, are one body in Christ, and individually members of one another.” Romans 12:3-5
There are quite a few books out there that attempt to address theology as it relates to disabilities. My favorite at the moment is “Disability and the Gospel” by Michael Beates. It is a must read!
All scripture is from the Revised Standard Version (RSV)
Revised Standard Version of the Bible, copyright © 1946, 1952, and 1971 the Division of Christian Education of the National Council of the Churches of Christ in the United States of America.