- Dec 10, 2025
Isaiah 35 is up in the lectionary this week.
Isaiah 35:3-6 paints a vivid picture of hope and transformation: “Strengthen the weak hands, and make firm the feeble knees... Then the eyes of the blind shall be opened, and the ears of the deaf unstopped; then the lame shall leap like a deer, and the tongue of the speechless sing for joy.”
These words are often seen as a beacon of hope, but I cringed when I read them.
After all, they can also bring up complex questions for those living with disabilities and their loved ones. I almost took those verses out of our readings; advocacy can be exhausting and my congregation very patiently hears me discuss this a lot and I fear at times of sounding like a broken record! But I believe there’s enough merit to discuss it, because we almost have to notice/confront harmful theology in action before actually doing something about it.
Understanding the historical context is crucial. In biblical times, having a disability often meant being excluded from society. Today, we aim for inclusion and belonging, recognizing that the healing many need is not of their bodies, but of the societal barriers they face.
It's also important to be cautious of taking these passages too literally. Not everyone who is blind wishes to see, nor does every deaf person wish to hear. For many, disability is not something to be fixed, but an integral part of their identity and community. Take Deaf culture, for instance, which is rich and affirming and deeply rooted in community connections. In this context, healing might mean forming deeper connections rather than undergoing physical changes.
Spiritual healing and liberation might not manifest as literal leaping or singing. Instead, it could mean being embraced by a faith community, experiencing God’s love, and understanding that one's worth is not tied to physical abilities.
The church's role is not to "fix" disabled individuals but to challenge and dismantle the structures that marginalize them. This involves more than just adding ramps and elevators; it requires changing hearts, practices, and assumptions.
Practical steps can be seen in initiatives like the United Church of Christ’s “Accessible to All” (A2A) program, which encourages congregations to examine their culture, not just their architecture. True accessibility is about fostering belonging, leadership, and shared ministry.
Ultimately, Isaiah’s vision can be seen as a call for communities where everyone is welcomed, valued, and empowered to live life to the fullest. No "fixing" is required—just a little more love and a lot more listening.
Blessed Advent to all of you!
Dear friends,
Blessed Holy Week to all of you! As you can imagine, as a pastor, I've been absolutely swamped this week. I've wanted to update this site with more music and other resources for you to share with your people, and I'll get there soon; after Easter things start to slow down a bit for me.
But, I did want to show you a piece that I did together with my seminary buddy and dear friend, Rev. Tim Powers-Reed of PastorTalk. He wrote a beautiful spoken word piece for Holy Week, which I'm using in my own church this evening. I created original music and a vvideo to go with it. This will be the first of many, many collaborations in our shared ministry. Enjoy the video by clicking here.
Happy Easter! Thanks for all your support.
Jacob
(Photo by Aaron Burden on Unsplash)
- Mar 14, 2025
For anyone who would like them, here are links to several things I shared.
.jpg)