The Difference Maker

In first-century Jewish culture, females were often viewed as second-class citizens (or property) with few of the rights males possessed. Jesus crossed the above barriers. He made women an integral part of His ministry in reaching out to a world that needed Him desperately (then and now).

The Gospels provide many examples where Jesus compassionately interacted with women. Here are just a few:

1.   Jesus interacts with a Samaritan woman at a well. (John 4:1-26)

2.   Jesus raises a widow’s son from the dead. (Luke 7:11-17)

3.   Jesus’ feet are anointed by an immoral woman. (Luke 7:36-50)

4.   Jesus pardons an adulterous woman. (John 81-11)

5.   Jesus has a group of women travel with Him. (Luke 8:1-3)

6.   Jesus and His disciples visit sisters, Mary and Martha, for a meal. (Luke 10:38-42)

7.   Jesus heals a crippled woman. (Luke 13:10-17)

8.   Jesus heals the daughter of a Gentile woman. (Mark 7:24-30)

9.   Jesus is followed by weeping women on His way to the cross. (Luke 23:27-31)

10.         Jesus’ mother (and other women) gathers at the cross. (John 19:25-27)

11.         Jesus appears to Mary of Magdala. (Mark 16:9-11)

12.         Jesus appears to other women after His resurrection. (Matthew 28:8-10)

Whoever coined the term of the female being “the weaker sex” obviously had spent much time around women. As a man, many of the women I know have dealt gracefully with far more challenging events than I have experienced.

What life lessons can you learn from the females you know? Put them to practice as soon as possible. (My wife is right more times than she’s wrong. That secret is just between the two of us.)

Jesus’ ministry has always found the unique voice of women, which is needed to communicate its message of hope to those that need it most (whether that’s a man or a woman). If you are a female reading this post, take a moment to realize just how valuable you are to the Almighty.

If you are a man, take a moment to comprehend the value women add to your life. Take some time to make that known in whatever way is convenient to you. What we all does matter to God (in the light of eternity).

*Adapted from the article, “Jesus and Women” from The Life Application Bible, New International Version edition.