Warrior of Eden: How Curiosity and Questions Lead to Understanding God's Call for WomenSample

Jesus and Women

Jesus only ever did what He saw His Father doing. He treated women with respect and dignity because that’s how His Father taught Him. He gave them responsibilities, trusted their insight, and wove them into His ministry.

When Jesus talked to the woman at the well, He was ignoring a code of behavior. His disciples were uneasy with Jesus’ behavior. “What are you looking for? Why are you talking with her?” (John 4:27).

John made sure we knew that although a woman’s testimony was not considered trustworthy, here the Samaritan woman’s words were acted upon. “Many of the Samaritans of that town began to believe in him because of the word of the woman who testified, ‘He told me everything I have done’” (verse 39).

Jesus recognized the dignity of women in situations that, by ritual law, demanded judgment, like the sinful woman who anointed Jesus or the woman caught in adultery, whom He saw as deserving compassion.

After Jesus was touched and anointed by one woman who was a recognized sinner, we hear a judgmental reaction toward both of them from Simon, his host. “If this man were a prophet, he would have known who and what sort of woman this is who is touching him, for she is a sinner” (Luke 7:39).

We can only guess why Simon was afraid. Why are some people afraid of women? What is it about our mystery? Our beauty? Our Eve-reputation of having wily ways? I am not sure what was happening with Simon, but it’s often fear that leads to judgment. Jesus rose above all that and regularly conversed with women.

And consider that, after Jesus arose from the dead, He first revealed Himself to women—Mary Magdalene and others. It was intentional; He was making sure we understand that we all qualify to tell of His resurrection. This is what Jesus left us to do.

The relentlessness of an ezer-confident, unshakable security that she is God’s and God is hers spurs a woman on to offer help when circumstances are merciless. She can keep going. You can keep going.

What rules of engagement do you think Jesus would ignore today?