Disability in the Bible: Life Lessons for Us AllIhe Atụ

Mephibosheth & Inclusion

I am … 

Excluded. 

Othered. 

Uninvited. 

Alone. 

Jesus was and is all about inclusion. When we look at Scripture, His Word, the impulse for and push toward inclusion is clear. 

But, that’s not always how you may feel. Maybe you feel left out at school or at work. You feel isolated from the Church. You feel cast out and like there’s no space for you. 

The Bible used a man named Mephibosheth, who had been unable to walk from the time he was disabled in a childhood accident, to display the urgency of inclusion and the importance of love in God’s kingdom. 

To understand Mephibosheth’s story, start with David—who you may know as the shepherd, musician, or Goliath-slayer. At this point, he was the anointed king of Israel. It took him a long time to actually get to the palace. In fact, David wouldn’t have even survived if it weren’t for his best friend, Jonathan, who saved his life. 

After finally becoming king, David decided to ask who was left in Jonathan’s family that he could show love to. A servant told David that Jonathan had a remaining living son, Mephibosheth, who was deformed in both feet from a childhood injury. David was undisturbed and gave no significance to the fact that Mephibosheth was disabled. He chose to honor his friend’s son (and his descendants) by allowing them to dine at the king’s own table regularly.

Love blinded David to the fact that it wasn’t customary for a king to eat with a person who was disabled—and he honored his best friend’s child lavishly. Love (through Jesus) blinds God to our imperfection, too. And all Jesus’ followers are commanded to do the same. 

Inclusion at its core is simply about showing and extending love to everyone. It’s making sure to scoot over and make room for even more people at whatever table you find yourself eating from. 

Maybe you’re the one being excluded. Maybe you’re the one noticing an exclusion. Remember Bartimaeus? Take a page from his book again and raise your voice. Bring awareness to the issue, and advocate that more space is made at the table. 

David wanted to show kindness Mephibosheth “for Jonathan’s sake” (2 Samuel 9:1, NLT). Who is showing kindness for Jesus’ sake? 

Find those people. Find the people who love blindly, fiercely, and freely. Because you are a part of God’s kingdom and family, and there are people, who just like King David, have room at their table for everyone. 

Pray: Father, thank You for making room for everyone who loves Your Son at Your table. Help me to do likewise. Help me to love first, because You loved first—before anyone even knew You. Help me to live with my eyes open to see those who may feel left out, and help me to show Your love to them. And thank You that Your love heals every wound—including those caused by rejection or exclusion.