“There is still Jonathan’s son, who is lame in both feet.” — 2 Samuel 9: 3, BSB.
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Embracing the Overlooked: A Journey from Marginalization to Compassion
There are countless reasons why individuals may find themselves marginalized in society: disabilities, being a foreigner, being different, being an autistic person that lead to misunderstandings, loneliness, and many other unique challenges shaped by personal circumstances.
Mephibosheth, the son of Jonathan, lived with a disability. The Hebrew text describes him as “lame.” His story begins tragically when his caregiver, upon learning of King Saul and Jonathan’s deaths, flees in haste and accidentally drops him, resulting in untreated injuries to his legs or feet (2 Samuel 4:4).
later in 2 Samuel 9, King David seeks to honour someone from King Saul’s family. He approaches Ziba, a former servant of Saul, who mentions, “Jonathan has a son who is disabled,” without naming Mephibosheth.
When Mephibosheth meets King David, he humbly refers to himself as a “dead dog,” feeling completely worthless. In response, David comforts him, saying, “Do not be afraid, I will certainly show you kindness for your father Jonathan’s sake. I will restore to you all the land of your grandfather Saul, and you will always eat at my table.”
This powerful story illustrates grace and restoration: someone who was forgotten and marginalized is given a place of honour and belonging at the King’s table. Its message is profoundly relevant today, especially regarding faith and the inclusion of people with disabilities and other marginalized experiences. Jesus simply said, “Come to me!” Have you ever brought your pain to Jesus? Why not?
As Christians, as humans, we have a responsibility to care for the marginalized:
Marginalization can take many forms, such as stripping a person of their identity by making them invisible, ridiculing, blaming, humiliating, or embarrassing them. Let us strive to embrace and uplift those who are often overlooked.