It’s happened to every pastor. There you are shaking hands with people after Sunday services, after your sermon. And near the end of the line you spot a woman pushing a young man with cerebral palsy in his wheelchair. You hear his guffaws, see his paralyzed hands, and you start wondering, “What am I going to do with this guy? Do I shake his hand? What if I can’t understand his speech?” Suddenly, your chest feels tight and you’ve got the jitters. So you quick decide to take the easy route, just smile, nod, and sort of politely push him along on his way. Do you see yourself in that position? Well, if you do, welcome to the world of Luke 14.
Jesus foresaw such a scenario, so he gives you -- and anyone else who might feel uneasy -- the incentive of a blessing when you decide not to cop-out, not to take the easy route, but instead face your fears. Our Savior said in Luke 14, "When you give a banquet, don't invite your friends, relatives, or rich neighbors [that is, people with whom you are comfortable]. No, invite the disabled, the lame, and the blind... do this and you will be blessed." When you reach out to people with disabilities to share the love of God, you will have the commendation, favor, and you will receive the approval of your Savior.
Pastor, did you hear that? Nowhere else in the gospels does Jesus get specific about who he wants invited into his kingdom; nowhere else does he attach such a blessing when we do so.
Let’s go back to the wheelchair-user sitting in line waiting to talk to you. This is what you might want to do when he approaches. Give the guy in the wheelchair your smile and look him in the eyes. Place your hand on his shoulder or the wheelchair armrest. Give him a handshake – even if he can’t respond. If he tries to tell you he enjoyed your sermon, and you are not quite able to understand his speech, don't pretend you can. You might say something like, "Young man, I want to definitely hear what you have to say... may I ask your friend pushing you to help me better understand?" Voilà. Help is as close as the woman standing behind the wheelchair. Best of all, you've made this young man with a disability, and his friend, feel welcomed to your church – that's something millions of disabled people across the globe simply don't experience.
Oh, and your encounter with the guy who has CP does something else. It alerts, informs, educates, and inspires the rest of your parishioners who might be standing by, looking on. Most people in your congregation probably are clueless around people with disabilities. But when they observe you model the compassion of Jesus toward the kid with cerebral palsy or the blind lady with a cane, or the stroke survivor using a walker, or the spinal cord-injured girl in her wheelchair, they will be inspired to do the same. It's that sheep-will-always-follow-the-Shepherd thing, you know what I mean?
So pastors, there you have it. Disability Ministry 101, right, Al?
Used by permission of
JONI AND FRIENDS
P.O. Box 3333
Agoura Hills, CA 93176
© Joni and Friends