Jesus and disability: A theological and practical reflection for churches in Nigeria

Abstract

Jesus Christ remains a grand model for the church in many ways. Particularly, Jesus’ attitude and actions towards people with disabilities remain exemplary for the contemporary church. Advocacy for people with disabilities is unpopular, and their voices are unheard even in the academic space. Oftentimes, disability studies are yet to receive adequate engagement from biblical, exegetical and theological standpoints. This study employed literary investigation and exegetical analysis, which eventually resulted in a real-world application of the findings from earlier investigation and analysis. The findings reveal that Jesus’ attitudes and actions towards people with disabilities are exemplary for churches in Nigeria. Jesus’ approach was counter-cultural as the socio-cultural and religious barriers prevented those with disabilities from entering the temple.
Contribution: People with disabilities should be viewed as individuals made in the image of God. Also, they are included in Jesus’ redemption. People with disabilities are part of the universal church, and this is a springboard for local church assemblies to be inclusive and integrative.