The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, because he has anointed me to bring good news to the poor. He has sent me to proclaim release to the captives and recovery of site to the blind, to let the oppressed go free, and to proclaim the year of the Lords favour.
Luke 4: 18-19
The tyranny of normality threatens us all. Taken out of context these words in Luke might suggest that everyone listed in this passage needs to be straightened out before they can really experience Jesus. And in some ways they do, but not necessarily physical or socially. Refugees, current and recovering addicts, low income groups as well as those with physical and mental challenges (and combinations of all these) can all experience Jesus’ healing spirit leading to discipleship. Reaching those people, however, may mean we have to adjust our image of what a disciple should look like.
For example, the social experience of deaf people is more than just the fact that they can’t hear: it’s about the idea that they must be able to hear to participate. In other words, all people must share similar characteristics to fit in. A disabled person who sees Jesus and who wants to respond to all He has done for them therefore says, ”Now I have to go and tell”. And that is when it all just falls apart because their experience of church, or a missional community, often isn’t a good one. And when that happens it often means their experience of the Gospel isn’t a good one either. What we need is a form of community where we embrace and respect difference and diversity. I can hear many saying now, “Don’t we do that already?” We have laws and access guidelines to ensure everyone is included, right? If that was the case, then why are they missing from church pews and our missional community activities? A question that led me to compose this series.
In the introduction to the book “Enabling Church” (2012), John Naude` opens with, “The way we value people for who they are, as they are, is so important”. I agree. If healing does not come to a disabled person after prayer, and more crucially, is not invited by them either, they are not at fault. Their theology is not wrong. On the contrary. Grasping the reality of the Gospel message, that all are accepted by God as they are is probably the singular, most important part of Jesus’ mission on earth in making disciples. So, those on the margins await, as created, and are ready to do good works!
REFLECT…
PRAY…
& Step out!
On this blog by Paul Pettit and B. Jason Epps on their book One Body, One Spirit: Disability and Community in the Church.
That we help make Jesus’ proclamation in Luke 4 become a reality in our churches and missional communities.
Have a mental audit on what gifts are being employed in your community/church and by whom. What opportunities for witness are being missed?