As a church, our ministry encompasses people of all genders, statuses, and classes. We aim to overcome barriers and expand the mission far and wide, but we might lack a focus on people with special needs.
We hold outreach programs for them, but are they enough?
From the Bible’s perspective, King David demonstrated what true accessibility means by showing kindness to Mephibosheth, Jonathan’s son. To better understand the story, we must look at the background.
King David had finally consolidated his power. After years of war, he had defeated his enemies, secured his borders, and was finally living in a moment of relative peace. In this quiet moment, his mind turned to a covenant he made with his dear friend, Jonathan.
Even though Jonathan was the legitimate heir to Saul’s throne, he recognized that God had designated David to be the next king. Because of their bond, Jonathan asked David to show kindness to his family once David took the throne.
Now, David asks, “Is there still anyone who is left from the house of Saul, that I may show him kindness for Jonathan’s sake?”
David summoned Ziba, a servant of Saul’s house, and asked if anyone remained. Ziba admitted there is a son of Jonathan, but he immediately added a disqualifying label: “He is lame in his feet.”
In that culture, Ziba’s description was a warning. He was essentially saying, “There is a survivor, but he is someone who shouldn’t be in the king’s presence.” Mephibosheth was living in Lo-debar—a place of rejection, a “no-name” community for outcasts. Ziba’s tone suggested they should simply close the debate and forget about him. But David insisted: “Bring him to me.”
At this time, there were two major reasons why Mephibosheth would have expected death rather than an invitation. It was because years earlier, during a battle, David had been taunted by enemies who claimed that even the “blind and the lame” could defeat his army. This created a cultural tension regarding people with disabilities in the royal court. By mentioning his disability, Ziba was reminding David that this man was “unfit” for the palace.
In ancient times, when a new dynasty took power, it was standard practice to execute every male member of the previous royal family to prevent any future rebellions or claims to the throne. As Saul’s grandson, Mephibosheth was a potential political threat.
But when Mephibosheth finally arrived, he fell on his face, trembling and prostrating himself in fear for his life. He expected a death sentence. However, while everyone else referred to him merely as “the lame son of Jonathan,” the King was the first one to use his actual name.
He looks at him and says, “Mephibosheth.” Then, he uttered the most transformative words a person in fear can hear: “Do not fear.”
Through David’s treatment of Mephibosheth, we discover four essential principles for making our church accessible to people with special needs.
- 1. Acceptance
By calling him by name and removing his fear, David showed us the principle of holistic acceptance. He doesn’t just see a “lame man” or a “political rival”; he sees the son of his friend and a person worthy of a seat at the table.
He may have acknowledged the social and political realities, but he said, in essence, “I know you think you should die today. I know the world says you don’t belong here. But that is not the plan. Do not fear.”
Thus, acceptance means creating an environment where they feel safe, known, and wanted.
2. Care
Mephibosheth lived in Lo-debar, a name that literally means “place of no pasture.” It was a land of isolation and outcasts. Mephibosheth didn’t come to the palace to ask for help; David had to send for him.
3. Justice: Restoring What Was Lost
Justice in the biblical sense is about making things right—restoring dignity and resources that have been unfairly stripped away. David told Mephibosheth, “I will restore to you all the land of Saul your grandfather.” David didn’t just give him a handout; he gave him back his inheritance.
Many people with disabilities have been marginalized by society. The church acts justly when it restores its rightful place as image-bearers of God and restores these people’s dignity.
4. Integration: A Permanent Place at the Table
The most beautiful part of the story is David’s final command: “And you shall eat bread at my table continually.” David didn’t set up a separate “disabled-only” table in the back of the palace. He integrated Mephibosheth into the royal family.
Integration is more than just having a special needs “program.” It is inviting people into the “continual” life of the church—small groups, leadership, and fellowship.
At David’s table, Mephibosheth was treated “as one of the king’s sons.” True accessibility is achieved when people with special needs are no longer seen as “visitors we are helping,” but as “family members we cannot do without.”
Lastly, when we combine acceptance, care, justice, and integration, we move from being a church that “allows” people with disabilities to a church that “embraces” them. Like David, we are called to look past the stigmas of the world and declare that there is a seat at the King’s table for everyone.
𝘈𝘥𝘢𝘱𝘵𝘦𝘥 𝘧𝘳𝘰𝘮 the 𝘮𝘦𝘴𝘴𝘢𝘨𝘦 of 𝘗𝘢𝘴𝘵𝘰𝘳 𝘞𝘢𝘵𝘭𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘍𝘳𝘢𝘯𝘤𝘰𝘪𝘴, 𝘋.𝘔𝘪𝘯., 𝘥𝘦𝘭𝘪𝘷𝘦𝘳𝘦𝘥 𝘑𝘢𝘯. 13, 2026, 𝘥𝘶𝘳𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘌𝘢𝘴𝘵 𝘊𝘦𝘯𝘵𝘳𝘢𝘭 𝘗𝘩𝘪𝘭𝘪𝘱𝘱𝘪𝘯𝘦 𝘜𝘯𝘪𝘰𝘯 𝘊𝘰𝘯𝘧𝘦𝘳𝘦𝘯𝘤𝘦 𝘞𝘦𝘦𝘬 𝘰𝘧 𝘗𝘳𝘢𝘺𝘦𝘳.
Lyn Lucero ⎸ ECPUC Communication Department