15 November 2009
What Did Jesus Do?
21/11/09 08:34 Filed in: Women's Studies
What Did Jesus Do?
By Nancy Walton Castilleja
We have been following a timeline of the different conditions of women beginning with their purpose at creation, through the decision woman made to disobey God, her punishments, and some of the effects this sin had on the development of society. After Adam and Eve had sinned, God cast them out of the Garden of Eden. What happens next? Adam and Eve began to multiply. Genesis 4:1 “And Adam knew Eve his wife; and she conceived, and bare Cain, and said, I have gotten a man from the LORD.” I imagine that Eve was very distraught about her sin and being cast out. I do believe that Adam was very upset with her. As we know, he blamed her for his own disobedience. Genesis 3:12 “And the man said, The woman whom thou gavest to be with me, she gave me of the tree, and I did eat.” Remember, too that she had increased pain with childbirth as part of her punishment. I gave birth to my third child without receiving anything for pain and I was upset about not receiving pain medication! Before we continue, let’s notice that Eve did not respond that way. With all the guilt, grief and pain, she still felt God was with her. In verse four we read that she said, “I have gotten a man from the Lord.” The spiritual strength of women has continued to remain very strong in spite of hardships. When things look hopeless, divorce is imminent, or even in the face of abuse you will see the woman continue to pray, sing to the Lord, and ensure that her children attend church. Eve was well aware of what it was like to walk with God; therefore, it must have been extra hard for her to continue in her faith in her degraded condition. She knew exactly how much she lost because of sin! We can only imagine!
We all know the story of Cain and Abel. Cain was a murderer and the Bible tells of the evils of his descendants. The first thing I found concerning women was an action done by Cain’s descendant Lamech. Genesis 4:19 “And Lamech took unto him two wives: the name of the one was Adah, and the name of the other Zillah.” First I notice the word “took”. Lamech “took” wives. To take something is to acquire possession of something. The women did not give themselves to him, he took! This points to the already lowered position of the woman. He was the first to take two wives. So we see that the lawful institution of marriage, which is, that two should be one flesh, was first corrupted in the lineage of Cain by Lamech. When there is a bad custom begun by ungodly men, sometimes men of better characters are drawn in to follow them. Jacob, David, and many others, who were otherwise good men, were afterwards ensnared in this sin which Lamech begun. Later, Lamech also commits murder.
The next story that reflects the condition of women is of Sarai. This is when her husband (Abram) passed her off as his sister for his own protection. Because she was nice looking, he knew the Pharoah would take her for his wife. This meant her husband, Abram, would probably be killed to get him out of the way. What this reveals is that it is already customary for the woman to have no say in the matter. Genesis 12:15 “The princes also of Pharaoh saw her, and commended her before Pharaoh: and the woman was taken into Pharaoh's house.” We see that a woman being “taken” is continuing as it was back in Lamech’s time.
Later we see that Sarai refers to her husband as “my lord”. The Hebrew word for lord is 'adown. This meant “to rule”. So we see that the husband is in fact, ruler over the wife as God spoke it to be for the punishment for Eve’s sin.
I’m going to read a story, still in Genesis, that shows the great extent of the lack of value given to women and girls. Genesis 19:5-8 “And they called unto Lot, and said unto him, Where are the men which came in to thee this night? bring them out unto us, that we may know them. And Lot went out at the door unto them, and shut the door after him, And said, I pray you, brethren, do not so wickedly. Behold now, I have two daughters which have not known man; let me, I pray you, bring them out unto you, and do ye to them as is good in your eyes: only unto these men do nothing; for therefore came they under the shadow of my roof.”
I cannot imagine a father doing this! The only outlook I can figure is that his daughters were no different than his animals. You can understand a father giving up his dog to be abused to save a person. He may not want to, but, after all, it is only a dog! After all, they were only females!
Next, let’s read an interesting story. It reveals that God was still speaking to women. Even though manmade societies devalued women, God did not. God continued his relationship with them and they also knew and recognized God! Genesis 16:7-13 “And the angel of the LORD found her by a fountain of water in the wilderness, by the fountain in the way to Shur. And he said, Hagar, Sarai's maid, whence camest thou? and whither wilt thou go? And she said, I flee from the face of my mistress Sarai. And the angel of the LORD said unto her, Return to thy mistress, and submit thyself under her hands. And the angel of the LORD said unto her, I will multiply thy seed exceedingly, that it shall not be numbered for multitude. And the angel of the LORD said unto her, Behold, thou art with child, and shalt bear a son, and shalt call his name Ishmael; because the LORD hath heard thy affliction. And he will be a wild man; his hand will be against every man, and every man's hand against him; and he shall dwell in the presence of all his brethren. And she called the name of the LORD that spake unto her, Thou God seest me: for she said, Have I also here looked after him that seeth me?” Let’s not forget this story. Hagar was a handmaid or slave. Hagar was also a woman. God not only spoke to her and made a promise to her, but he also appeared to her. God cared, came and directed her because He heard her afflictions. The definition of the Hebrew word used for affliction means, “depression or misery.” Always remember that God hears even your feelings. Tears speak as well as prayers. God hears the silent cries of women.
There are many stories telling of the condition of women. Their only status was tied to the man’s status, such as a father or a husband. Women were used as pawns to gain favor with another family of power. In other words, if a man wanted to gain favor politically with a king he would marry someone within that king’s family.
Women were used to take revenge. In the case of revenge, if a man did something against another man, there were accounts where the man who was wronged would have all the men in his family go rape the sister of the man who offended him. Her suffering was not an issue! These actions were against the brother because it defiled him, not her. In other words, the family’s property was ruined!
The situation of women was powerful evidence of the consequences of Eve’s sin. Remember it was because of sin, not God’s will, that women were seen and treated lowly. Sin brings disgrace to not only people, but also to the societies we live in. From the time of Eve’s fall until the birth of Jesus was at least a few thousand years. During this time hundreds of laws were made that affected women. Let’s trace the possible development of a law back then. First you just have a practice (behavior) among people. When a practice is done over and over (habitually) it is defined as a custom. Then a custom that is passed down from generation to generation becomes a tradition. When these traditions become acceptable among a group of people, they become their culture. This group of people with a common culture is a society. If you follow this path, you can see how the husband’s rule became part of society. It took time, but you can see that certain practices did develop into laws. Let’s also look at the definition of law. A law is a rule established by authority, society or customs. The Rabbis had the authority and made the customs laws.
Notice that the punishment that woman received from God was to be that the husband was to rule the wife. God did not say to Eve that man would rule woman. No, this was supposed to be within the marriage. However, it spilled out into society as being strictly a matter of gender. To make it stick, laws were put into place. The Rabbis were the ones who enacted the laws, so you can see how this matter also became incorporated into the temple and later the church.
There were so many laws pertaining to women that I can’t list them all! Here are a few:
Rabbis said that it was dangerous to even look at a woman. This must be the origination of those head-to-toe coverings that some cultures demand the women wear! Some Rabbis said that it would be better to burn the scriptures than to allow a woman to read them!
You can close your eyes and pretend you are a woman living in the first century. You are only born to serve a man and to produce an heir for him. A son. Remember, these are laws and if you disobey, you could be stoned to death! Keep this perspective as we read and see how Jesus’ treatment of women called for a complete transformation of men’s attitudes towards women!!
The Woman With the Issue of Blood
Luke 8:41-48 NKJ “And behold, there came a man named Jairus, and he was a ruler of the synagogue. And he fell down at Jesus' feet and begged Him to come to his house, for he had an only daughter about twelve years of age, and she was dying. But as He went, the multitudes thronged Him. Now a woman, having a flow of blood for twelve years, who had spent all her livelihood on physicians and could not be healed by any, came from behind and touched the border of His garment. And immediately her flow of blood stopped. And Jesus said, "Who touched Me?" When all denied it, Peter and those with him said, "Master, the multitudes throng and press You, and You say, 'Who touched Me?'" But Jesus said, "Somebody touched Me, for I perceived power going out from Me." Now when the woman saw that she was not hidden, she came trembling; and falling down before Him, she declared to Him in the presence of all the people the reason she had touched Him and how she was healed immediately. And He said to her, "Daughter, be of good comfort; your faith has made you whole. Go in peace."
Do you think Jesus knew who had touched Him? Of course He did! In other accounts we can read where Jesus tells people things about themselves with no way of knowing except that He knows all! Therefore, I would say that He knew the woman had touched Him. It is evident, because of the way Jesus addressed the event out loud drawing attention to it, that Jesus wanted others to learn something and wanted to bless the woman!
In the first verse we see that a man came begging a request of Jesus. This was not just any man. He was an important high ranking man. He was a ruler of the synagogue.
First we see that Jesus allowed the request of this ruler to be delayed to address this woman. So, we see that the silent desires of a woman were just as important to Jesus as the request of a man, a ruler!
Second, notice that Jesus made no mention that an unclean woman had touched Him. There were laws telling how to cleanse one’s self after being touched by an unclean woman. Jesus wasn’t concerned and did not obey those manmade laws.
Third, we see that Jesus spoke to her in public. It was as if He saw only her spirit and not her physical body. Remember as He spoke to this woman in public, a ruler of the synagogue and a crowd of people were witnessing His treatment of her.
Let’s also notice what Jesus said to her. Immediately, He calls her “daughter”. This would signify that she is a child of God. He said “be of good comfort.” The Greek word used for comfort is a word that actually means “to have courage.” Women were not usually urged to be courageous. Jesus also commended her faith. Lastly, He says “go in peace.” Jesus’ obvious care, love and attitude towards the woman went against the manmade customs and laws. Can you see the change in the treatment of women that Jesus was demonstrating? Jesus will not break God’s laws. Therefore, the disregarded laws could not be God’s laws and were evidently manmade.
Mary and Martha
Luke 10:38-42 “Now it came to pass, as they went, that he entered into a certain village: and a certain woman named Martha received him into her house. And she had a sister called Mary, which also sat at Jesus' feet, and heard his word. But Martha was cumbered about much serving, and came to him, and said, Lord, dost thou not care that my sister hath left me to serve alone? bid her therefore that she help me. And Jesus answered and said unto her, Martha, Martha, thou art careful and troubled about many things: But one thing is needful: and Mary hath chosen that good part, which shall not be taken away from her.”
This is a wonderful account showing how Jesus radically changed the existence and acceptance of women. Do you see which manmade law Jesus is ignoring? Women were not to be taught and also, women were not allowed to participate in any religious activities alongside the men. Now, as followers of Jesus (Christians) men and women are accepted equally. Though, society has and still is taking a long time to “do what Jesus did”!! Mary, along with many other women, was taking a very courageous step by claiming a right that had been for men only! When Mary did not perform the traditional woman’s role in the kitchen, Martha complained. Martha asked Jesus, don’t you care that Mary is not helping me serve? Martha assumed Jesus would agree when she then added, tell her to help me. What a surprise when Jesus responded, one thing is needed and Mary hath chosen that good part, which shall not be taken away from her. What had Mary chosen? She chose to sit at Jesus’ feet. When it was said that you sat at someone’s feet, it meant you were listening and being taught by them. So, Mary was receiving the “bread of life” not the bread for the body. Who else was at Jesus’ feet? He was traveling with his disciples. Not just the twelve. Earlier in this chapter it says there were seventy more disciples. So, Mary was in that group of disciples. Jesus’ disciples were the people who were taught by Him and sent out to spread His doctrine. Yes, Mary was also a disciple! And Jesus says she chose well and it shall not be taken from her! When He said that, He opened a door to women that had previously been closed. Women, as well as men, were and still are invited to learn the word of God and go spread the gospel!
The Adulteress
John 8:3-11 “And the scribes and Pharisees brought unto him a woman taken in adultery; and when they had set her in the midst, They say unto him, Master, this woman was taken in adultery, in the very act. Now Moses in the law commanded us, that such should be stoned: but what sayest thou? This they said, tempting him, that they might have to accuse him. But Jesus stooped down, and with his finger wrote on the ground, as though he heard them not.
So when they continued asking him, he lifted up himself, and said unto them, He that is without sin among you, let him first cast a stone at her. And again he stooped down, and wrote on the ground. And they which heard it, being convicted by their own conscience, went out one by one, beginning at the eldest, even unto the last: and Jesus was left alone, and the woman standing in the midst. When Jesus had lifted up himself, and saw none but the woman, he said unto her, Woman, where are those thine accusers? hath no man condemned thee? She said, No man, Lord. And Jesus said unto her, Neither do I condemn thee: go, and sin no more.”
Please remember that these stories have many lessons in them. What we are studying in them is the way Jesus treated and related to women. With this in mind, we can see evidence of the unequal treatment of women by society. For instance, if she was caught in the very act of adultery, wouldn’t that mean that a man was present? Wasn’t he committing a crime also? Why wasn’t he brought for stoning also? This particular group of men was trying to trip Jesus up on a legal matter. They brought her as an object to fit their plan. She had less value than her sinful partner. The men also had more physical strength over her. Jesus demonstrated that He did not consider her an object of no value, but rather a human being. Jesus treated her as a person who could be responsible for making her own choices and thereby turning her life around! Jesus ignored two manmade laws in this event. One is that he did not stone her and two, Jesus did not make a deal or a plan with her father or brother as was the custom. He gave her the right to make her own decision.
A very important message that Jesus sends to women is when He appeared first to women after his resurrection. He could have appeared anytime, anyplace, to anyone. He chose the women. They had followed Him faithfully. Then he put into place an extremely revolutionary practice. We know women were not allow into the Temple and in more modern times, allowed to preach. But, Jesus told the women to go tell His brethren that He had risen and where to meet Him! Those women were the first to be commissioned to give the news of the gospel! Today we call that preaching the gospel. Read Matthew 28:10a “ Then said Jesus unto them, Be not afraid: go tell my brethren…” Some believe that women can only teach other women or children. Who did Jesus, Himself, tell the women to tell? He directed them to give His word to the men!
Now can you answer that question, “What did Jesus do?” If people who profess to be Christians truly want to be Christ-like, they would follow the examples of Jesus’ consideration towards women! God sees our hearts, not our physical bodies. Men that cannot deal with women as equals are hung up with the flesh. They are seeing and judging the physical and not the spirit.
These are just a few women who interacted with Jesus. In these few women alone we learn at least eleven points from Jesus’ actions:
By Nancy Walton Castilleja
We have been following a timeline of the different conditions of women beginning with their purpose at creation, through the decision woman made to disobey God, her punishments, and some of the effects this sin had on the development of society. After Adam and Eve had sinned, God cast them out of the Garden of Eden. What happens next? Adam and Eve began to multiply. Genesis 4:1 “And Adam knew Eve his wife; and she conceived, and bare Cain, and said, I have gotten a man from the LORD.” I imagine that Eve was very distraught about her sin and being cast out. I do believe that Adam was very upset with her. As we know, he blamed her for his own disobedience. Genesis 3:12 “And the man said, The woman whom thou gavest to be with me, she gave me of the tree, and I did eat.” Remember, too that she had increased pain with childbirth as part of her punishment. I gave birth to my third child without receiving anything for pain and I was upset about not receiving pain medication! Before we continue, let’s notice that Eve did not respond that way. With all the guilt, grief and pain, she still felt God was with her. In verse four we read that she said, “I have gotten a man from the Lord.” The spiritual strength of women has continued to remain very strong in spite of hardships. When things look hopeless, divorce is imminent, or even in the face of abuse you will see the woman continue to pray, sing to the Lord, and ensure that her children attend church. Eve was well aware of what it was like to walk with God; therefore, it must have been extra hard for her to continue in her faith in her degraded condition. She knew exactly how much she lost because of sin! We can only imagine!
We all know the story of Cain and Abel. Cain was a murderer and the Bible tells of the evils of his descendants. The first thing I found concerning women was an action done by Cain’s descendant Lamech. Genesis 4:19 “And Lamech took unto him two wives: the name of the one was Adah, and the name of the other Zillah.” First I notice the word “took”. Lamech “took” wives. To take something is to acquire possession of something. The women did not give themselves to him, he took! This points to the already lowered position of the woman. He was the first to take two wives. So we see that the lawful institution of marriage, which is, that two should be one flesh, was first corrupted in the lineage of Cain by Lamech. When there is a bad custom begun by ungodly men, sometimes men of better characters are drawn in to follow them. Jacob, David, and many others, who were otherwise good men, were afterwards ensnared in this sin which Lamech begun. Later, Lamech also commits murder.
The next story that reflects the condition of women is of Sarai. This is when her husband (Abram) passed her off as his sister for his own protection. Because she was nice looking, he knew the Pharoah would take her for his wife. This meant her husband, Abram, would probably be killed to get him out of the way. What this reveals is that it is already customary for the woman to have no say in the matter. Genesis 12:15 “The princes also of Pharaoh saw her, and commended her before Pharaoh: and the woman was taken into Pharaoh's house.” We see that a woman being “taken” is continuing as it was back in Lamech’s time.
Later we see that Sarai refers to her husband as “my lord”. The Hebrew word for lord is 'adown. This meant “to rule”. So we see that the husband is in fact, ruler over the wife as God spoke it to be for the punishment for Eve’s sin.
I’m going to read a story, still in Genesis, that shows the great extent of the lack of value given to women and girls. Genesis 19:5-8 “And they called unto Lot, and said unto him, Where are the men which came in to thee this night? bring them out unto us, that we may know them. And Lot went out at the door unto them, and shut the door after him, And said, I pray you, brethren, do not so wickedly. Behold now, I have two daughters which have not known man; let me, I pray you, bring them out unto you, and do ye to them as is good in your eyes: only unto these men do nothing; for therefore came they under the shadow of my roof.”
I cannot imagine a father doing this! The only outlook I can figure is that his daughters were no different than his animals. You can understand a father giving up his dog to be abused to save a person. He may not want to, but, after all, it is only a dog! After all, they were only females!
Next, let’s read an interesting story. It reveals that God was still speaking to women. Even though manmade societies devalued women, God did not. God continued his relationship with them and they also knew and recognized God! Genesis 16:7-13 “And the angel of the LORD found her by a fountain of water in the wilderness, by the fountain in the way to Shur. And he said, Hagar, Sarai's maid, whence camest thou? and whither wilt thou go? And she said, I flee from the face of my mistress Sarai. And the angel of the LORD said unto her, Return to thy mistress, and submit thyself under her hands. And the angel of the LORD said unto her, I will multiply thy seed exceedingly, that it shall not be numbered for multitude. And the angel of the LORD said unto her, Behold, thou art with child, and shalt bear a son, and shalt call his name Ishmael; because the LORD hath heard thy affliction. And he will be a wild man; his hand will be against every man, and every man's hand against him; and he shall dwell in the presence of all his brethren. And she called the name of the LORD that spake unto her, Thou God seest me: for she said, Have I also here looked after him that seeth me?” Let’s not forget this story. Hagar was a handmaid or slave. Hagar was also a woman. God not only spoke to her and made a promise to her, but he also appeared to her. God cared, came and directed her because He heard her afflictions. The definition of the Hebrew word used for affliction means, “depression or misery.” Always remember that God hears even your feelings. Tears speak as well as prayers. God hears the silent cries of women.
There are many stories telling of the condition of women. Their only status was tied to the man’s status, such as a father or a husband. Women were used as pawns to gain favor with another family of power. In other words, if a man wanted to gain favor politically with a king he would marry someone within that king’s family.
Women were used to take revenge. In the case of revenge, if a man did something against another man, there were accounts where the man who was wronged would have all the men in his family go rape the sister of the man who offended him. Her suffering was not an issue! These actions were against the brother because it defiled him, not her. In other words, the family’s property was ruined!
The situation of women was powerful evidence of the consequences of Eve’s sin. Remember it was because of sin, not God’s will, that women were seen and treated lowly. Sin brings disgrace to not only people, but also to the societies we live in. From the time of Eve’s fall until the birth of Jesus was at least a few thousand years. During this time hundreds of laws were made that affected women. Let’s trace the possible development of a law back then. First you just have a practice (behavior) among people. When a practice is done over and over (habitually) it is defined as a custom. Then a custom that is passed down from generation to generation becomes a tradition. When these traditions become acceptable among a group of people, they become their culture. This group of people with a common culture is a society. If you follow this path, you can see how the husband’s rule became part of society. It took time, but you can see that certain practices did develop into laws. Let’s also look at the definition of law. A law is a rule established by authority, society or customs. The Rabbis had the authority and made the customs laws.
Notice that the punishment that woman received from God was to be that the husband was to rule the wife. God did not say to Eve that man would rule woman. No, this was supposed to be within the marriage. However, it spilled out into society as being strictly a matter of gender. To make it stick, laws were put into place. The Rabbis were the ones who enacted the laws, so you can see how this matter also became incorporated into the temple and later the church.
There were so many laws pertaining to women that I can’t list them all! Here are a few:
- Men were not to speak to women in public;
- Girls were not allowed any schooling;
- Women and girls were not allowed to be taught any scriptures;
- Women were not allowed to teach (what could they teach anyway!);
- Women were not allowed into the synagogues (they could only sit with the children in the gallery upstairs);
- Women could not own any property except in rare cases where the father died with no living male relatives;
- When such a woman(with property) married, the property became her husband’s property;
- Women could make no demands on a man, but instead had to respond to his demands;
- During menstruation, the woman was considered unclean. Anything a woman touched during menstruation became unclean;
- A woman was to be kept isolated during menstruation; and the list goes on!
Rabbis said that it was dangerous to even look at a woman. This must be the origination of those head-to-toe coverings that some cultures demand the women wear! Some Rabbis said that it would be better to burn the scriptures than to allow a woman to read them!
You can close your eyes and pretend you are a woman living in the first century. You are only born to serve a man and to produce an heir for him. A son. Remember, these are laws and if you disobey, you could be stoned to death! Keep this perspective as we read and see how Jesus’ treatment of women called for a complete transformation of men’s attitudes towards women!!
The Woman With the Issue of Blood
Luke 8:41-48 NKJ “And behold, there came a man named Jairus, and he was a ruler of the synagogue. And he fell down at Jesus' feet and begged Him to come to his house, for he had an only daughter about twelve years of age, and she was dying. But as He went, the multitudes thronged Him. Now a woman, having a flow of blood for twelve years, who had spent all her livelihood on physicians and could not be healed by any, came from behind and touched the border of His garment. And immediately her flow of blood stopped. And Jesus said, "Who touched Me?" When all denied it, Peter and those with him said, "Master, the multitudes throng and press You, and You say, 'Who touched Me?'" But Jesus said, "Somebody touched Me, for I perceived power going out from Me." Now when the woman saw that she was not hidden, she came trembling; and falling down before Him, she declared to Him in the presence of all the people the reason she had touched Him and how she was healed immediately. And He said to her, "Daughter, be of good comfort; your faith has made you whole. Go in peace."
Do you think Jesus knew who had touched Him? Of course He did! In other accounts we can read where Jesus tells people things about themselves with no way of knowing except that He knows all! Therefore, I would say that He knew the woman had touched Him. It is evident, because of the way Jesus addressed the event out loud drawing attention to it, that Jesus wanted others to learn something and wanted to bless the woman!
In the first verse we see that a man came begging a request of Jesus. This was not just any man. He was an important high ranking man. He was a ruler of the synagogue.
First we see that Jesus allowed the request of this ruler to be delayed to address this woman. So, we see that the silent desires of a woman were just as important to Jesus as the request of a man, a ruler!
Second, notice that Jesus made no mention that an unclean woman had touched Him. There were laws telling how to cleanse one’s self after being touched by an unclean woman. Jesus wasn’t concerned and did not obey those manmade laws.
Third, we see that Jesus spoke to her in public. It was as if He saw only her spirit and not her physical body. Remember as He spoke to this woman in public, a ruler of the synagogue and a crowd of people were witnessing His treatment of her.
Let’s also notice what Jesus said to her. Immediately, He calls her “daughter”. This would signify that she is a child of God. He said “be of good comfort.” The Greek word used for comfort is a word that actually means “to have courage.” Women were not usually urged to be courageous. Jesus also commended her faith. Lastly, He says “go in peace.” Jesus’ obvious care, love and attitude towards the woman went against the manmade customs and laws. Can you see the change in the treatment of women that Jesus was demonstrating? Jesus will not break God’s laws. Therefore, the disregarded laws could not be God’s laws and were evidently manmade.
Mary and Martha
Luke 10:38-42 “Now it came to pass, as they went, that he entered into a certain village: and a certain woman named Martha received him into her house. And she had a sister called Mary, which also sat at Jesus' feet, and heard his word. But Martha was cumbered about much serving, and came to him, and said, Lord, dost thou not care that my sister hath left me to serve alone? bid her therefore that she help me. And Jesus answered and said unto her, Martha, Martha, thou art careful and troubled about many things: But one thing is needful: and Mary hath chosen that good part, which shall not be taken away from her.”
This is a wonderful account showing how Jesus radically changed the existence and acceptance of women. Do you see which manmade law Jesus is ignoring? Women were not to be taught and also, women were not allowed to participate in any religious activities alongside the men. Now, as followers of Jesus (Christians) men and women are accepted equally. Though, society has and still is taking a long time to “do what Jesus did”!! Mary, along with many other women, was taking a very courageous step by claiming a right that had been for men only! When Mary did not perform the traditional woman’s role in the kitchen, Martha complained. Martha asked Jesus, don’t you care that Mary is not helping me serve? Martha assumed Jesus would agree when she then added, tell her to help me. What a surprise when Jesus responded, one thing is needed and Mary hath chosen that good part, which shall not be taken away from her. What had Mary chosen? She chose to sit at Jesus’ feet. When it was said that you sat at someone’s feet, it meant you were listening and being taught by them. So, Mary was receiving the “bread of life” not the bread for the body. Who else was at Jesus’ feet? He was traveling with his disciples. Not just the twelve. Earlier in this chapter it says there were seventy more disciples. So, Mary was in that group of disciples. Jesus’ disciples were the people who were taught by Him and sent out to spread His doctrine. Yes, Mary was also a disciple! And Jesus says she chose well and it shall not be taken from her! When He said that, He opened a door to women that had previously been closed. Women, as well as men, were and still are invited to learn the word of God and go spread the gospel!
The Adulteress
John 8:3-11 “And the scribes and Pharisees brought unto him a woman taken in adultery; and when they had set her in the midst, They say unto him, Master, this woman was taken in adultery, in the very act. Now Moses in the law commanded us, that such should be stoned: but what sayest thou? This they said, tempting him, that they might have to accuse him. But Jesus stooped down, and with his finger wrote on the ground, as though he heard them not.
So when they continued asking him, he lifted up himself, and said unto them, He that is without sin among you, let him first cast a stone at her. And again he stooped down, and wrote on the ground. And they which heard it, being convicted by their own conscience, went out one by one, beginning at the eldest, even unto the last: and Jesus was left alone, and the woman standing in the midst. When Jesus had lifted up himself, and saw none but the woman, he said unto her, Woman, where are those thine accusers? hath no man condemned thee? She said, No man, Lord. And Jesus said unto her, Neither do I condemn thee: go, and sin no more.”
Please remember that these stories have many lessons in them. What we are studying in them is the way Jesus treated and related to women. With this in mind, we can see evidence of the unequal treatment of women by society. For instance, if she was caught in the very act of adultery, wouldn’t that mean that a man was present? Wasn’t he committing a crime also? Why wasn’t he brought for stoning also? This particular group of men was trying to trip Jesus up on a legal matter. They brought her as an object to fit their plan. She had less value than her sinful partner. The men also had more physical strength over her. Jesus demonstrated that He did not consider her an object of no value, but rather a human being. Jesus treated her as a person who could be responsible for making her own choices and thereby turning her life around! Jesus ignored two manmade laws in this event. One is that he did not stone her and two, Jesus did not make a deal or a plan with her father or brother as was the custom. He gave her the right to make her own decision.
A very important message that Jesus sends to women is when He appeared first to women after his resurrection. He could have appeared anytime, anyplace, to anyone. He chose the women. They had followed Him faithfully. Then he put into place an extremely revolutionary practice. We know women were not allow into the Temple and in more modern times, allowed to preach. But, Jesus told the women to go tell His brethren that He had risen and where to meet Him! Those women were the first to be commissioned to give the news of the gospel! Today we call that preaching the gospel. Read Matthew 28:10a “ Then said Jesus unto them, Be not afraid: go tell my brethren…” Some believe that women can only teach other women or children. Who did Jesus, Himself, tell the women to tell? He directed them to give His word to the men!
Now can you answer that question, “What did Jesus do?” If people who profess to be Christians truly want to be Christ-like, they would follow the examples of Jesus’ consideration towards women! God sees our hearts, not our physical bodies. Men that cannot deal with women as equals are hung up with the flesh. They are seeing and judging the physical and not the spirit.
These are just a few women who interacted with Jesus. In these few women alone we learn at least eleven points from Jesus’ actions:
- Women are equally as important as men.
- Women are not unclean.
- Women are the children of God.
- Women are to be commended for their faith.
- Women are to be communicated with as men.
- Women are to be taught God’s word.
- Women are to go and preach God’s word.
- Women are not locked into traditional roles.
- Women are not objects.
- Women are responsible for their decisions.
- Women are forgiven.