Women's Issues Part III and Part IV

 

Part III- Sacrifice Whatever the Cost

Jesus moved past His fatigue, hunger, and emotional distress to treat women with respect. There was nothing chauvinist about His behavior. When He allowed the so-called immoral woman to wash His feet with her tears and hair, it was not sensual. It was a divine romance of a different sort, for out of brokenness, her restoration and healing flowed as she worshipped Him despite the palpable disapproval of old boys club. That is exactly what we must do, press into knowing Jesus, no matter the obstacle or public opinion. The woman who poured her life’s savings upon the Saviors feet did not lose it, for to this day the story is told of her extravagant worship. So, we too, as women when we pour life’s blood for the kingdom, it is not lost.

 

Jesus noticed the widow’s offering of two mites, the least offered, or it seemed so to those lacking spiritual eyes. But, Jesus looked at her heart and recognized the wealth that she had poured out in that offering. He too recognizes your sacrifice for His kingdom and He is grateful.

Even in the depths of pain and despair, Jesus focuses on women: this time, His mother. He makes sure that after His death that her care is assured. He passes on the responsibility of the eldest son to a devoted believer, John, since at that time none of his own brothers were His followers.

Part IV- Who are We?

Everywhere He went, He honored women, rather his mother or not. In fact, He says something so revolutionary that His own family thought Him mad: He asks who is  his mother, brother, or sister? His sensational answer: He who does the will of my father. With this one statement, He broke ages of sexism. We don’t need to wait for the Book of Galatians for Paul to say there is neither male, nor female, Jew or Greek. Jesus disposed of these categories and their burdens right then and there. And since, He is the very word of God- Emet. We can take Him as his Word.

Jesus had no problems with business women either. They financed his ministry, provided him with a safe place to stay, and fed him. Heck, even the First Church was financed by women such as Lydia.

We are the compassionate ones. We are the hopeful ones.  Mary Magdalene got to the tomb first and came ready to serve to boot. She was the one commissioned by the angel to go to the disciples, who were cowering in a deep dark cell somewhere, and tell them that Jesus had risen just as He promised. Jesus comforts her when she thinks that someone has stolen His body, and then, He personally commissions to share the gospel. Who received the honor of touching Jesus before His ascension? None but a woman. Who had the honor of bringing him into the world? None but a woman. “Man ain’t had nothing to do with Him,”  as Sojourner Truth famously quipped.

Jesus celebrates our life events. He makes time for marriages and funerals. He toasts L’Chaim to all special moments for He has written and orchestrated them for in advance. So, if you feel forgotten, ignored, disdained, rejected, or alone, Jesus knows how to love you truly in the midst of bereavement, sorrow, loneliness, and despair. Please give Him a try.


Unashamed to be a Woman,
Mella

 

 

 

 

Women's Issues Part I and Part II

Part I: The Heart of the Issue- Christ

Women’s issues were at the heart of Jesus’ ministry. He cared for the aged, the widow, the down-and-outer. He loved the prostitute, the divorcee, the sick and the chronically infirm. His love knew no bounds. So, before there were ever feminists, womanists, or any such nomenclature, Jesus loved women and at the heart of his ministry was a deep concern for women’s position and treatment in His society.

On one particular day, He raised from the dead the son of a widow. Knowing that she would have no one to support her financially, He broke Hallach ( law and tradition) and raised the boy from the dead. Then he went on to heal a woman who had a chronic bleeding problem. Having suffered for over twenty years from anemia, I understand her distress.  My anemia was so severe that it mandated surgery because my body was filled with tumors. So, I can only imagine the extent of her suffering.

After healing this woman, Jesus does not take a rest; He tends to a little girl, Jarius’ daughter. Age is no barrier for Him. He valued children, and not just boy children, as we often see happening in places like China and India. No, he rebuked his disciples, and made an incredible announcement when He told them that they must become like children or they would not enter the kingdom of heaven.

The plain fact of the matter is that Jesus was indignant of his disciples’ disrespect and devaluation of children. He told said that it would be better for an abuser to have not been born or have a milestone tied around his neck and thrown into the sea, than to hurt one of these little ones, and he did not specify gender. Their angels, He said, see God’s face in heaven.

Unlike people, Jesus was never in a hurry, too busy to look one in the eye and stop and chat. He dealt completely with the woman with the issue of blood before heading off to heal Jarius’ daughter. He made sure that all of her needs were met and satisfied.  Then and only then, after making sure she knew that she was both seen and heard, did He move on to touch another life- this time a girl child.

 Part II True Satisfaction of the Right Sort

Satisfaction is exactly what the woman was looking for at the well. She was thirsty and well she knew it. But, she didn’t know what would really satisfy. That is until she meet Jesus and He offered living springs of water, true worship, a new identity, and a calling as an evangelist. He restored her dignity, gave her purpose, and connected her in the most meaningful way back into her community all over a cup of water. Jesus truly is a mighty tall drink.

Women bound by addiction did not turn Jesus off. Whether they were mentally ill, sexually avarice, or tormented by demons, He touched them in all the right places for healing.

I know someone is already asking, “What about the Syro-Phoenician woman who Jesus compared to a dog?” I think Jesus wanted to teach his disciples a lesson, and He knew a persistent woman fighting on the behalf child would provide it. When the woman was undeterred, He grants her request and turned to the Jews to marvel at the faith of a Gentile when His own people did not believe.

Jesus strikes this cord again when He tells his disciples that should pray always and never give up. Who does He take as his example? A woman seeking justice for her child. Jesus trusts us to speak up on behalf of our children. He assigns us these roles. When he tells the parable of the man who goes to borrow bread from his friend, the man makes all types of excuse: his feet are dirty, his in bed with his kids, etc. Yawn. Yawn. If not for the beating on the door, the man would have soon as not responded to his friend. But not the women seeking justice for her child, even the fact that the judge feared neither God nor man could dissuade her from pleading her case and again.

We women have more in us than we give ourselves credit for possessing. Jesus knows us best because He is our creator.


Proudly a Woman,
MJ