Lessons From Handicaps, Part 1:
A Table of Honour
"Ziba answered the king, 'There is still a son of Jonathan; he is
crippled in both feet.'" (2 Samuel 9:3b NIV)
"So Mephibosheth ate at David's table like one of the king's sons."
(2 Samuel 9:11b NIV)
As the mother of a child with a severe disability, I am always inspired by
Scriptures that have a message regarding the handicapped. 2 Samuel 9:1-13
tells a story that reveals the tender heart and generous spirit of King
David towards a disabled man who was the son of his friend Jonathan and the
grandson of his bitter enemy, Saul.
This passage of Scripture particularly touched my heart as I observed that
David and his servants paid no special attention to Mephibosheth's handicap
when welcoming him as a member of the family. Mephibosheth must have been
understandably uneasy when he was brought before the king without knowing
what kind of treatment he was going to receive. Out of compassion and
loyalty, though, David restored Mephibosheth's inheritance, giving him a
permanent place of honour at the king's table. Mephibosheth was treated no
differently than one of David's own royal sons!
In reading a poem entitled "Inside My Heart", written by a disabled person
who suffers from cerebral palsy, I realized that many people must feel
awkward and uncomfortable around the handicapped. It then occurred to me,
reminiscing about the years of raising my son who has autism, that there was
seldom a time in public when I didn't feel that he was being noticed because
of his handicap. There have also been times when even church and family
members were unable to see beyond my son's disability. In contemplating
this, I realized that some of his struggles are really not very different
from yours or mine. Spiritually speaking, we are all disabled and in need of
God's healing power and grace.
Jesus commissions us, "When you give a banquet, invite the poor, the
crippled, the lame, the blind, and you will be blessed." (Luke
14:13-14a) Therefore, as Christians, let us be accepting of one another,
recognizing the God-given value in each of us. Let us also take advantage of
the opportunities God gives us to minister to others and to reach out to
those in need, including those with disabilities. David, truly a man after
God's own heart, provides a beautiful model for us of God's mercy and love.
This is the heart of the gospel. This is our calling in Christ Jesus.
Prayer: Lord, help us to follow David's example in treating all people with
respect, and in reaching out to those in need with compassion and love.
Amen.
Lori Ciccanti