Down through history, America has not always treated women well. Today, with the horrific things that are happening to girls and women in Afghanistan, I thought this would be an appropriate time to review how Jesus interacted with women.
Adulterer (John 8): Men had set this woman up to catch her in the act of adultery. Dragging her from the house, they made a public spectacle of her and threw her down at the feet of Jesus. These self-righteous men were ready to stone her to death for her actions. However, before this unruly mob, Jesus forgave her and gave her another chance to change her ways.
Divorcee (John 4): Jesus met a Samaritan at a well outside her village. While most Jews avoided Samaritans, Jesus opened a conversation with her, asking for a cup of water. In the ensuing dialogue, we learn that Jesus knew about her five failed marriages and her present live-in situation. Yet, Jesus treated her with dignity and answered her spiritual questions, revealing Himself as the Messiah. At this news, she ran back to her village and encouraged her entire village to come to the well to meet Jesus.
Prostitute (Luke 7): Jesus had been invited to a dinner. While He enjoyed Himself, an uninvited woman walked in, and began kissing the Lord’s feet and pouring perfume on them. This woman was well known in her community as a “sinner”, probably a prostitute. The host of the dinner expected Jesus to refuse to be touched by such a woman. Instead of pushing her away, Jesus told His host that her acts of love were because she was so thankful that Jesus had forgiven her.
Outcast (Mark 5): While Jesus was walking in the midst of a crowd, a woman who had an issue of blood for twelve years reached out and touched His garment. Instantly she was healed. Having an issue of blood was considered unclean by most Jews at that time. But Jesus did not criticize her for touching Him in her unclean state. Instead, He commended her faith to the crowd.
Gentile (Mark 7): When Jesus was in the vicinity of Tyre, a Gentile woman asked Him to heal her daughter. At first it seemed like Jesus was putting her off. But as she continued to banter with Him, Jesus was impressed with her humility and with her faith. In fact, only one other time did Jesus say someone’s faith was like hers, “great faith”. As a result of her request, Jesus did, in fact, heal her daughter.
Demonized: (Mark 16) Mary Magdalene had been inhabited by seven demons. They must have caused Mary horrendous mental and emotional anguish. At some point in His ministry, Jesus drove the demons out, freeing her to think clearly. From then on, she became a follower of Jesus. In fact, it was to Mary that the Lord first showed Himself after His resurrection, even before revealing Himself to the apostles.
Mother (John 19): Even though Jesus was the eternal Son of God, He entered our world as a baby through the womb of an earthly mother. On the cross, even as He was carrying our sins and experiencing excruciating pain, He wanted to make sure His mother would be taken care of. He gave that responsibility to John.
If you are a woman, you will always be treated with dignity and compassion by Jesus, never as an object. If you are a man, Jesus should be your example for how you are to treat women.
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