Day for People with Special Skills:Sermon by Rev. Sam Philip
Text: St. John 5:1–18
The above mentioned passage is one in which people with many sicknesses are introduced. A
man paralyzed for 38 years is healed by Jesus on the Sabbath.
1. An honourable approach to the differently abled. (v. 1–9)
∙ We should treat everyone with respect.
∙ Disability hermeneutics: Disability is not a physical phenomenon, but it is more of a social
construct that changes from time to time.
∙ There are three models of disability hermeneutics:
i. Religious model: It assumes that disability is a curse from God. Demonic intervention
can be done away by practising religious sacraments.
ii. Medical model: It assumes that disability is a caused due to external agents or
sometimes internal causes, such as genetic causes. It can be overcome by proper
medical treatments.
iii. Social or Cultural model: It defines disability as a social construct. The disability is
due to social prejudice.
∙ The Old Testament talks about people who lived with disability. For example, Is 42:16, Job
29:15. Here we see that Jesus loves and heals the paralyzed man. Jesus was moved with
pity. Jesus does not want the differently abled to be mere receivers of charity, but
co-workers in the kingdom of God.
∙ Annie Fortis, the voice of the specially abled, said, "Please do not ignore me or look the other
way when I come to you. I do not have a choice in my disability, but you have a choice in how
you accept me.
∙ Disability does not mean one's life is worthless.
2. A Graceful Approach to Rules and Regulations. (v. 10–18)
∙ The defence of the Sabbath law was the defence of the Jewish religious system.
∙ The leaders focused on the law, but Jesus focused on possibilities.
∙ Jesus brings new perspectives that transcend boundaries.
∙ Practices and rules are good, but they cannot control a human's God experiences.
∙ Jesus valued the dignity of a human more than Sabbath law. He did not reject the Sabbath,
but valued his creation more.
∙ The humane elements of love, mercy, and compassion complete the Sabbath by doing good
deeds.
∙ Helen Keller says, "So long as the memory of good friends live in my heart, it is good.
Walking with a friend in the dark is better than walking alone in the light."
Text: St. John 5:1–18
The above mentioned passage is one in which people with many sicknesses are introduced. A
man paralyzed for 38 years is healed by Jesus on the Sabbath.
1. An honourable approach to the differently abled. (v. 1–9)
∙ We should treat everyone with respect.
∙ Disability hermeneutics: Disability is not a physical phenomenon, but it is more of a social
construct that changes from time to time.
∙ There are three models of disability hermeneutics:
i. Religious model: It assumes that disability is a curse from God. Demonic intervention
can be done away by practising religious sacraments.
ii. Medical model: It assumes that disability is a caused due to external agents or
sometimes internal causes, such as genetic causes. It can be overcome by proper
medical treatments.
iii. Social or Cultural model: It defines disability as a social construct. The disability is
due to social prejudice.
∙ The Old Testament talks about people who lived with disability. For example, Is 42:16, Job
29:15. Here we see that Jesus loves and heals the paralyzed man. Jesus was moved with
pity. Jesus does not want the differently abled to be mere receivers of charity, but
co-workers in the kingdom of God.
∙ Annie Fortis, the voice of the specially abled, said, "Please do not ignore me or look the other
way when I come to you. I do not have a choice in my disability, but you have a choice in how
you accept me.
∙ Disability does not mean one's life is worthless.
2. A Graceful Approach to Rules and Regulations. (v. 10–18)
∙ The defence of the Sabbath law was the defence of the Jewish religious system.
∙ The leaders focused on the law, but Jesus focused on possibilities.
∙ Jesus brings new perspectives that transcend boundaries.
∙ Practices and rules are good, but they cannot control a human's God experiences.
∙ Jesus valued the dignity of a human more than Sabbath law. He did not reject the Sabbath,
but valued his creation more.
∙ The humane elements of love, mercy, and compassion complete the Sabbath by doing good
deeds.
∙ Helen Keller says, "So long as the memory of good friends live in my heart, it is good.
Walking with a friend in the dark is better than walking alone in the light."