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The Relationship Of Jesus To Women

 

Jesus Christ was always courteous to women. He never talked down or spoke angrily to women. Jesus did not use harsh words, labels,  derogatory phrases or nicknames used by the world in reference to or in conversation with any woman.

 

For whosoever shall do the will of my Father which is in Heaven, the same is my brother and sister and mother. (Matthew 12:50)

 

In the personality of God, there is a blend of the characteristics of both father and mother. The Old Testament pictures motherhood when Isaiah records God's words:


Can a woman forget her sucking child, that she should not have compassion on the son of her womb? yea, they may forget, yet will I not forget thee. (Isaiah 49:15)


As one whom his mother comforteth, so will I comfort you. (Isaiah 66:13)
Jesus reflected a mother's instinct when He said:


O Jerusalem, Jerusalem...how often would I have gathered thy children together, even as a hen gathereth her chickens under her wings.
(Matthew 23:37)


The teaching of Christ was "sexless" because nowhere does He give instructions applicable to women only. There are only a few instructions to His disciples which apply to men alone. (For examples, see Matthew 5:28,32 and 23:8.)

 

Christ included women in His teaching.

 

In Mark 7:10-11 He spoke of honoring parents, and repeated the words "father" and "mother" four times in two verses. There was a Greek word for "parents" which He could have used, but He apparently wanted to emphasize that both mother and father be honored equally.


When Jesus spoke regarding discipleship, He included the females:
Suppose ye that I am come to give peace on earth? I tell you, Nay; but rather division...The father shall be divided against the son, and the son against the father; the mother against the daughter, and the daughter against the mother; the mother-in-law against her daughter in law. (Luke 12:51,53)


Another passage regarding discipleship includes a reference to women:
There is no man that hath left house, or brethren, or sisters, or father, or mother, or wife, or children ...for my sake and the gospel's, but he shall receive an hundred fold...houses, and brethren, and sisters, and mothers, and children. (Mark 10:29-30)


On one occasion, when Jesus was speaking to a crowd, His mother and brothers came looking for Him. When told they were seeking Him, Jesus said:
Who is my mother? and who are my brethren? And he stretched forth his hand toward his disciples and said, Behold my mother and my brethren. For whosoever shall do the will of my Father...the same is my brother, and sister, and mother. (Matthew 12:46-50; Mark 3:31-35)


This verse presents an important truth regarding your relationship to Jesus. Your relationship is not based on whether you are male or female, young or old, married or single. Your relationship is based upon doing God's will.

 

Part of "doing God's will" is accepting Jesus as your personal Lord and Savior, as God is...
...not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance. (II Peter 3:9)


Defense Of Women


On two occasions, Jesus defended women. When some mothers brought their children to Jesus to be blessed, the Disciples rebuked them but Jesus said:

 

Suffer the little children to come unto me, and forbid them not; for of such is the Kingdom of God. (Mark 10:14)


When Mary of Bethany poured costly perfume on Jesus, the Disciples called it a waste. Jesus said her act would be told as a memorial wherever the Gospel was preached because she understood the plan for His death and burial and was anointing Him in preparation for it.


Women In The Company Of Christ


Christ did not call a woman as one of the twelve disciples selected at the beginning of His public ministry. To have chosen a woman for such close association would not have been considered proper.

 

The Bible does refer to certain women who joined the traveling company of Jesus to minister:


It came to pass afterward, that he went throughout every city and village, preaching and shewing the glad tidings of the kingdom of God; and the twelve were with him.


And certain women, which had been healed of evil spirits and infirmities, Mary called Magdalene, out of whom went seven devils, And Joanna the wife of Chuza, Herod's steward, and Susanna, and many others, which ministered unto him of their substance. (Luke 8:1-3)


Some people believe because Christ did not call any women among the original twelve, there should be no women leaders in the Church. But He also did not choose a Gentile, yet the Gospel was extended to the Gentiles and we have had many great Gentile spiritual leaders.

 

He did not organize anything resembling Churches of today, with one pastor trained in a seminary, Sunday schools, Church boards, etc., yet these are used in the 501(c)3 government controlled - religious organizations called "churches"Read more: http://www.christfirstministries.com/articles-31/127---501c3-Tax-Exempt-Churches--Foundations-5084


The Courtesy Of Christ


Christ was always courteous to women. He never talked down or spoke angrily to them.

 

Read More: Words Have Power 

http://www.christfirstministries.com/articles-31/315---Words-Have-Power-4215

 

At the age of twelve, Jesus went with his parents to a Passover Feast in Jerusalem. At the end of the first day of the return journey home, His parents could not find Him in the caravan, so they returned to the city. Finally, they found Him with the religious leaders in the temple. When His mother rebuked Him, His response was a simple explanation and then He went home with His parents and was subject (obedient) to them (Luke 2).


One occasion where Jesus spoke with what might appear to be a lack of courtesy was at the wedding in Cana. When the host ran out of wine, Jesus's mother told Him and His answer was:


Woman, what have I to do with thee? Mine hour is not yet come. (John 2:4)

 

This did not mean He did not respect the suggestion that He do something about the problem. The term "woman" was not one of disrespect. In the proper timing, Jesus did what Mary desired and miraculously turned water into wine. Mary was not offended at His answer, but told the servants:
Whatsoever He saith unto you, do it. (John 2:5)


When the mother of James and John came to Jesus with the selfish request that her sons be seated at His right and left sides in the Kingdom of Heaven, He did not rebuke her. He replied:


Ye know not what ye ask..to sit on my right hand, and on my left, is not mine to give, but it shall be given to them for whom prepared of my Father. (Matthew 20:20-23)


Read Matthew 15:21-28 where a Gentile woman asked for her daughter to be healed. Christ's answer did not reflect discourtesy because the word "dog" was a commonly used term referencing the Gentiles. The exchange with this woman ended in Christ's highest commendation, "O woman, great is thy faith.”


There are three incidents recorded in Scripture where Jesus ministered to adulteresses. Look these up and read them in your Bible:


John 8:2-11: The woman caught in adultery.
Luke 7:38-39: The adulteress washing Jesus feet.
John 4:5-30: The woman at the well.


In each case, Jesus displayed courtesy, love, and a forgiving attitude.


The encounter with the Samaritan woman at the well is interesting in studying the relationship of Jesus to women. The Samaritans were enemies of the Jews and were considered uneducated and offensive. In addition, this women was an adulteress.


But Jesus chose this woman, a Gentile and a sinner, as the first person (as far as Scripture records) to whom He revealed that He was the Messiah. He considered her capable of grasping this great spiritual truth. She became an evangelist instantly and ran to the city to bring people to Christ. The result was...


...they besought Him that He would tarry with them; and He abode there two
days. And many more believed because of His own. (John 4:41-42)

* The word "Gentile" refers to nations other than Israel.

 

During a visit in the home of Mary and Martha, Martha was upset because of all the household chores. She complained because Mary did nothing but sit at the feet of Jesus. Instead of rebuking her, Jesus answered:


Martha, Martha, thou art careful and troubled about many things. But...Mary hath chosen that good part, which shall not be taken away from her. (Luke 10:41)


When a poor widow put two mites in the offering box, Jesus courteously commended the small donation. He said:


This poor widow hath cast more in, than all they which have cast into the treasury; for all they did cast in of their abundance; but she of her want did cast in all she had. (Mark 12:43-44)


The Gospels show that Jesus regarded women as worth communicating with, capable of grasping deep spiritual truths, exercising great faith, and setting standards of sacrificial giving.


Compassion On Women


A special characteristic of Christ's attitude toward women was compassion. When He raised the son of the widow of Nain from the dead, He appears to have done it primarily out of compassion for her:
 

And when the Lord saw her, He had compassion on her and said unto her, weep not. (Luke 7:13)
 

It was His compassion for widows which aroused His anger against those who prayed for public show and then stole widow's houses:
 

Beware of the scribes....which devour widows houses, and for a shew make long prayers. (Luke 20:46-47)
 

When He fed the multitudes, which included women, it was because He had compassion on them. Read these accounts in Mark 6 (noting verse 34) and Mark 8 (noting verse 2).
 

When Jesus spoke of the future destruction of Jerusalem, He added this compassionate warning:
 

Woe to them that are with child, and to them that give suck in those days. And pray ye that your flight be not in the winter. (Mark 13:17-18)
 

When Jesus was on the way to Golgotha carrying the cross, there were many women in the crowd around the soldiers and prisoners. These women were mourning for Him. His concern was more for them than for Himself. He said:

 

Daughters of Jerusalem, weep not for me, but weep for yourselves, and for your children.


For behold, the days are coming in which they will say, Blessed are the barren, and the womb that never bare, and the paps that never gave suck.
(Luke 23:28-29)


Right to the end of His earthly ministry, in the midst of His own suffering, His compassion and concern for women never failed.

 

Jesus Ministered to Women

 

And there are also many other things which Jesus did, the which, if they should be written every one, I suppose that even the world itself could not contain the book that should be written. (John 21:25)

 

Parables were a method of teaching Jesus used frequently during His earthly ministry. A parable is "an earthly story with a heavenly meaning." A parable presents spiritual truths in the form of a story which the listener can understand easily.


Jesus used four special parables about women to present some important spiritual truths. Read each parable in your Bible before proceeding with the lesson. Each parable is viewed in terms of:

 

The Person: Involved in the parable.
The Problem: The situation which confronted the people in the parable.
(The earthly story).
The Principle: The important truth Jesus was teaching.
(The heavenly meaning).


Now, study the parables:


The Lost Coin: Luke 15:8-10
The Person: A woman with ten pieces of silver.
The Problem: One piece was lost.
Principle: Jesus used this parable and two others to illustrate similar truths. Read the parable of the lost sheep preceding the parable of the coin (Luke 15:3-7). Then read the parable of the prodigal son which follows (Luke 15:11-32).


Christ's purpose in this series of parables was to answer an accusation of the Pharisees that He was receiving sinners and eating with them which Jewish people were forbidden to do (see verses 1-2).


Jesus was demonstrating the importance of reaching lost souls. It was necessary to receive sinners and relate to them in order to reach them with the salvation message. He used the illustrations of a lost sheep, a missing coin, and a wayward son to explain this truth. Property, money, and family were things valued by the Pharisees and they could relate to these illustrations.


Jesus used the example of a woman seeking for a lost coin as well as a man seeking a lamb. Women have a specific role in reaching lost souls. Like the woman in the parable, we need to light our spiritual lights and seek diligently for those who have not yet heard the salvation message. There is joy in the presence of the angels as we bring those who are lost to the Savior - Jesus Christ.

 

Have you been seeking diligently for the lost?


The Persistent Widow: Luke 18:1-8
Person: A widow woman who was seeking justice from a wicked judge who feared neither God nor man.


Problem: She was seeking justice for her "adversary." The parable does not indicate who the adversary was or what evil he had done to her. The wicked judge would do nothing for the widow at first, but because she kept coming to him he decided to settle the case in her favor so she would not continue to bother him.

 

Principle: Jesus was illustrating that perseverance brings a response from God. Jesus used this example to encourage His followers to pray and not give up (verse 1). If an unjust judge finally responds, so a just God responds to the perseverance of His people and answers their requests:
 

The effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much. (James 5:16b)

 

Lord, Teach Us To Pray

http://www.christfirstministries.com/teach-us-to-pray-35


The Ten Virgins: Matthew 25:1-13
Persons: Five wise women, five foolish women, and an unknown person or group warning of the approaching bridegroom.


Problem: Ten women were waiting for the arrival of a bridal party. Five women were wise and brought vessels with extra oil for their lamps. Five women were foolish and brought no extra oil.


All of the women fell asleep while they were waiting. Suddenly, a cry was given that the bridegroom was coming and all the women awoke to turn up their lamps. The foolish women discovered their oil was all used and their lamps were out. They tried to borrow oil from the wise women who had oil, but were refused.
 

While the foolish women were gone trying to buy oil, the bridegroom came and the wise women entered to the marriage feast with him. When the foolish women returned with their oil, the door was shut and they could not get in. It was too late. They had waited too long to prepare themselves.


Principle: This parable was presented by Jesus during a discussion with His disciples concerning the end of the world. Read the beginning of the discussion in chapter 24.
 

Chapter 25 is a continuation of this discussion. Jesus told His disciples that in the last days the spiritual situation would be similar to the parable of the virgins. Some people will be prepared to meet the Lord spiritually but will be "sleeping" and not alert to His returning. This is the group described as the "wise virgins."
 

Although they are saved, they are doing nothing to warn people around them of the soon coming of the bridegroom. Nevertheless, they experience a spiritual awakening right before His return and are prepared to meet Him.


The foolish virgins illustrate another group of people who are also unaware of Christ's coming. They are unprepared. They wait too late to fill their spiritual vessels and they do not go with Christ on His return.
 

They try to get in on the basis of the preparations of the wise virgins, but this is not possible. You cannot gain access to the Kingdom of God on the basis of someone else's experience. You must make your own preparations to meet Him.

 

Read More: http://www.christfirstministries.com/salvation-15


There is a third group of people in this parable. Although the virgins described as wise and foolish all slept, someone was awake to give the cry that the bridegroom was coming.

 

There will be a group of God's people who will be alert to His soon return, awake spiritually and watching for Him to come.

 

They are being used to alert the people of God who are sleeping and not aware of the short time before the return of Jesus.

 

Read More...

Where Are The Watchmen? http://www.christfirstministries.com/-31/Where-are-the-watchmen-Where-are-the-soul-winners-5908

 

There Is A Battle: For Control Of Your Mind http://www.christfirstministries.com/-31/281-Warning-There-Is-A-Battle-For-Control-Of-Your-Mind-4209

 

Flare Pattern Disinfo

http://www.christfirstministries.com/-31/222---February-10-2014-Flare-Pattern-Disinfo-4470

 

Evolution Of Police State

http://www.christfirstministries.com/articles-31/246---February-10-2014-Evolution-of-Police-State-4547

 

Much tribulation is ahead for the righteous remnant. Those who are not in the Lord will - fall away, as predicted in the Bible. They will be too numerous. Those who are carrying the cross daily, nothing will be able to thwart their zeal for Jesus Christ.

 

Read More: "The Approaching 1930's Style Depression" http://www.christfirstministries.com/articles-31/323---The-Approaching-1930s-Style-Depression-4228

 

Pre-tribulation Rapture Is A Lie
http://www.christfirstministries.com/-31/306---Pre-tribulation-Rapture-Is-A-Lie-4212

 

Spiritual Wickedness in High Places

http://www.christfirstministries.com/-31/Satan-On-The-US-Dollar-4507

 

"REAL vs Imaginary" by Kevin Dunn

http://www.kingmannafta.com/Pages/REALvsImaginary.aspx

 

The Power of Doing Nothing by Kevin Dunn

http://www.kingmannafta.com/Pages/ThePowerofDoingNothing.aspx


To which category do you belong?

 

Are you spiritually prepared to meet the Lord but not really alert to the fact that He is coming soon?

 

Are you sleeping spiritually instead of sending out the cry to others to prepare for His return?


Are you like the foolish virgins?

 

Perhaps you have not yet prepared yourself spiritually to meet Jesus. You have no oil in your vessel. You are asleep and empty spiritually. Hear the cry of His soon return and prepare yourself now, before it is too late.
 

Are you one of the unnamed third group, those who were alert to the soon return of the bridegroom and were warning and preparing others to meet Him?

 

To which of these three groups do you belong?
 

The Woman With Leaven: Matthew 13:33; Luke 13:20-21
Person: An unnamed woman.
Problem: She is preparing bread and uses a little bit of leaven to leaven three measures of meal. One "measure" was about a peck and a half of meal.
Principle: This parable is one of several Jesus used to illustrate truths regarding His Kingdom to which He refers as "the Kingdom of Heaven."
Many times in the Bible leaven is used as an example of evil. It is used to show how a little evil reproduces itself and increases into much evil just as leaven spreads throughout a lump of dough. In this parable, however, leaven is used to illustrate that in God's Kingdom, a little act can multiply to yield great results.

 

Just as a small bit of leaven spreads throughout the meal to prepare a great lump of dough for baking, so the leaven of God's Word reproduces itself. This is a principle we refer to as "leaven-like evangelism." Harvestime International Institute offers a course by this title centering on an evangelistic approach which will reproduce itself throughout the world.
 

This parable illustrates several important principles. First, you can have the leaven (the Word) and the lump that needs the leaven (the world), but nothing will happen until the Word (leaven) is placed in the hearts of the people of the world (the lump).

 

 

Second, the human instrument is the agent God uses to put the leaven in the lump. God chooses people like you to bring the Word to the world.
Third, small things reproduce to become great in the economy of God's Kingdom. A small attempt at leaven-like evangelism will continue to reproduce itself throughout the lump of the world. As the prophet Zechariah said:
For who hath despised the day of small things? (Zechariah 4:10)


A Summary Of The Parables


Jesus used women to illustrate some great truths about His Kingdom.

 

The widow illustrates the importance of persevering in prayer that the Kingdom of Heaven will be set in order, the enemy defeated, and God's people avenged.

 

The woman with the leaven demonstrates the importance of action in God's Kingdom. You must sow the leaven of the Word in the lump of the world.
But sowing is not enough. You must also learn how to reap. This is illustrated by the woman with the lost coin. She looked until she found the coin. You must not only sow the leaven of the Word, but you must reap the harvest and reach lost men and women.


Finally, the parable of the virgins reveals that in the closing days of time, some will be prepared to enter the Kingdom of God and others will not.

 

The composite picture of women Jesus portrays through these parables is one of women who are active in the Kingdom of God, who will persevere in prayer, sow the seed of the Word, reap the lost, and give the warning cry to those who are spiritually sleeping.


Miracles Of Jesus
Jesus performed several miracles which involved women during His earthly ministry.

 

Record your own comments on this study. Review the pattern used in the study of the parables and follow it as you study the miracles of Jesus involving women. Record your study in terms of:


People: Involved in the miracle Jesus performed.
Problem: The need with which Jesus was confronted.
Performance: Jesus's response to that need. What was the miracle He performed and how did He do it? What were the results of the miracle?

 

Peter's Mother-in-law:
Matthew 8:1-15; Mark 1:30-31; Luke 4:38-39.
People:
Problem:
Performance:


Woman With The Issue Of Blood:
Matthew 9:20-22; Mark 5:25-29; Luke 8:43-48.
People:
Problem:
Performance:


Canaanite Woman's Daughter:
Matthew 15:21-28; Mark 7:24-30.
People:
Problem:
Performance:


Deformed Woman:
Luke 13:11-13.
People:
Problem:
Performance:


Jarius' Daughter:
Matthew 9:18-19, 23-25; Mark 5:22,24, 38-42; Luke 8:41-42, 49-56.

People:
Problem:
Performance:

 

Widow's Son At Nain:
Luke 7:11-15.
People:
Problem:
Performance:


Brother Of Mary And Martha:
John 11:1-44.
People:
Problem:
Performance:


A Summary Of The Miracles


The outstanding characteristic of Jesus evident in each miracle which He performed involving women is compassion. Whether it was a short term illness like the fever of Peter's mother-in-law or a long term disease like the issue of the blood and the woman with the deformed back, He showed concern and compassion.


It is interesting to note that His miracles followed a progression. First He dealt with short term illness such as fever. Then He dealt with long term disease such as the issue of blood and the deformed back. Even the raising of the dead had a pattern. First He raised the widow's son and Jarius' daughter, both of whom had been dead only a short time. Then He raised Lazarus who had been dead and in the tomb for several days.


Jesus raised Jarius' daughter in the house right after her death. The widow's son was resurrected to life on the way to the graveyard. Lazarus was resurrected from the grave where he had been several days. It does not matter at what point Jesus enters the problems of your life. His power is sufficient at any stage of your need.

 

Words Of Jesus To And About Women


In addition to the parables and the miracles which involved women, Jesus had much to say regarding topics of interest to women. These included instructions on the subjects of marriage, adultery, children, etc. Jesus also talked directly with women on many occasions.


Jesus made several comments on special subjects of interest to women, ie., on marriage, divorce, and children. To further your knowledge of His ministry to and about women, research the words of Jesus on...


Marriage:
Matthew 19:4-6; 22:30
Mark 10:6-9; 12:25
Luke 20:34-35


Children:
Matthew 9:14; 18:3-5, 6, 10, 14; 21:16
Mark 9:37, 42; 10:14-15;
Luke 9:48; 18:17


Divorce - Adultery:
Matthew 5: 27-28; 31-32; 15:19; 19:8-9; 11-12; 17-18
Mark 7:21-22; 10:3,5,11-12, 19
Luke 16:18; 18:20


Regarding Women:
Matthew 5:28; 9:20, 22; 11:11; 13:33; 14:21; 15:38; 19:8; 22; 24:41; 26; 27:55; 28:5


Mark 5,7, 10:12; 12:22; 14:3; 15:40,41


Luke 1:28,42; 4:26-27; 7:8; 8:2,43,47; 10:38; 11:27; 13:11,12,16,21; 15:8; 17:27,35; 20:32; 22:57; 23:27,49,55; 24:10,22,24


John 2:4; 4:7,9,11,15,17,19,20,21,25,27,28,39,42; 8:3,4,9,10; 16:21; 19:26; 20:13,15
 

 

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