Men and women are created by God, equal with different roles. How did Jesus treat women? He included women in his teaching, he healed them, he encouraged them.
In the fourth chapter of John, Jesus meets a Samaritan woman at the well. The encounter is unusual for several reasons. Jews avoided traveling through Samaria, but Jesus and his disciples chose to pass through Samaria. And to the disciples’ astonishment, Jesus spoke to the woman at the well, teaching her true worship, revealing himself as the Christ.
In the eighth chapter a woman caught in adultery is brought to Jesus. Instead of condemning her, he reminds the men of their sins when he says, “Let him who is without sin among you be the first to throw a stone at her.” The men go away and Jesus says, “Neither do I condemn you; go, and from now on sin no more“.
In chapter eleven (a favorite) Jesus arrives in Bethany after Lazarus has died. Lazarus’ sisters, Martha and Mary are mourning. Jesus tells Martha, “I am the resurrection and the life. Whoever believes in me, though he die, yet shall he live, and everyone who lives and believes in me shall never die.” When Mary comes to Jesus weeping, Jesus is touched by her grief, sees her pain. He also weeps. Then Jesus asks the people to remove the stone from the tomb and calls for Lazarus to come forth.
In chapter 19, Jesus is on the cross, but he is concerned about his mother. He looks down from the cross and asks John to care for her, to consider her his mother.
In chapter 20 Jesus appears to a woman first after his resurrection. Mary Magdalene is so deep in grief that she did not immediately recognize him, but when Jesus spoke to her, she rejoiced.
Jesus displayed God’s steadfast love towards women.
I have read the gospel of John many times, but each time I see new truths. Have you studied this gospel?
The painting of Christ and the Samaritan Woman at the Well is by Nicolas Colombei (1644-1717)
Linking with: Five Minute Friday writing community, Inspire Me Monday and also Sweet Tea and Friends.
Amen, Carol. Lovely.
Thanks bunches for sharing this with Sweet Tea & Friends May link up dear friend.
I love all that you shared, but the story of the Samaritan woman has always held a special interest to me. Jesus showed her His unconditional love and the impact it had on her (and us if we let it) was great. So much so that she told everyone she met about Jesus.
Men are men; women, women.
Kinda makes a lot of sense,
and even all those years back then,
Jesus knew the difference,
and in inflections that He used
addressed the gendered point of view.
For sure JC was not confused,
and did not look for more than two
specific sets of pronoun use
that someone else might have preferred,
and maybe world should call a truce
’cause maybe it can be inferred
that our Saviour, Christ the King,
was the kid of He what made the thing.
Amen! Have a blessed weekend, Andrew.
Jesus always seems to be accepting of women, answering questions and so forth. FMF17
Accepting and kind–respecting them as women.
I love the compassion and gentleness Jesus shows to the women in these and so many other stories, and that he welcomed them into his inner circle. Visiting from FMF#8
Yes, there are more stories in Matthew Mark and Luke. Thanks for visiting!