Disability in the Bible: Life Lessons for Us AllSýnishorn

We All Need Heroes

Professor X. 

Dr. Strange. 

Daredevil. 

Dr. Mid-Nite. 

Jericho. 

What do they have in common?

The comic book readers and action movie lovers might know this one! But, in case you’re not into that scene—they’re all superheroes. What’s more, they’re all disabled in some way. 

Professor X is in a wheelchair because of a spinal injury. Dr. Strange has irreversible nerve damage in his hands. Daredevil is blind as is Dr. Mid-Nite. Jericho is unable to speak and uses American Sign Language to communicate. Isn’t it wonderful that the writers who created these characters chose to include people with differences in their powerful narratives? Inclusion like this is important. It helps people see themselves as part of their communities, part of what’s valued.

Take a look at a few other people. 

Moses. 

Bartimaeus. 

Mephibosheth. 

The Woman Who Couldn’t Stand Straight (from the Book of Luke). 

The Blind Man (from the Book of Mark). 

What do they have in common? 

They’re all biblical characters! And just like some of our favorite heroes from movies and comics, they’re all people living with some kind of significant difference or disability. Looks like inclusion is pretty important to God, too! 

You know what would be a real shame? If you spent your life not realizing that God doesn’t need able-bodied people to reveal Himself in powerful ways. It would be a real shame if you spent your Christian walk thinking God’s accomplishments in the Bible were because He only chose “mighty” people to work through and never saw the real, fragile, and yes—sometimes significantly disabled people—He chose to work through instead. 

In fact, if you spend time reading God’s Word, you’ll find the prevailing messages are that everyone is profoundly disabled compared to God’s power. Everyone needs God and His power. And everyone equally needs the greatest hero of all time—Jesus. 

God doesn’t “need” anyone to be strong in body or intelligence in order for Him to work. He just wants everyone to live and love like Jesus. As you walk through this Bible Plan, see if you can find a lesson for you or someone you love from the lives of just a tiny representation of the biblical heroes who lived with differences. 

Pray: God, thank You for including everyone in Your story. As I work through this Bible Plan, help me to stop focusing on what people might call inferior or less-than. Help me to see myself and others with the same love and indispensable value You see in each person You’ve created.