By Nancy Virden (c)2023

Jesus lived in a world where women did not count. One of the regular rabbinical prayers was, “Thank You, God, that you did not make me a woman!” The curse that Adam and Eve earned in the Garden of Eden included that husbands would rule over wives. In other words, this is not how God created or intended it. It is our sinfulness that subjugates and limits women.

In Jesus’ world, women were not allowed to learn. Neither their votes nor eyewitness testimonies mattered. A man and a woman caught in adultery resulted in the woman possibly being stoned to death. Unfair? You bet! Jesus’ world was lost in this sinful treatment of women.

We are no better as the objectification of women infiltrates nearly every sphere of modern society. The influx of pornography via the internet has damaged marriages, harmed young brains, and lowered the expectations of women who search for righteous husbands and future fathers of their hoped-for children.

Jesus did not settle for this attitude. As He did in the face of other hypocrisies, He challenged the status quo by setting an example. Women were included as disciples (allowed to learn); women were the first to report His resurrection (eyewitnesses); He called out the sins of men who wanted to stone an adulteress (equality of responsibility); and He was not ashamed to allow women to help pay for His ministry. Unlike some religious leaders who would barely acknowledge the presence of women, Jesus walked and talked with them and met their spiritual needs.

Jesus respects women.

Just imagine how shocking that was in Jesus’ world. He was radical. He welcomed women who wanted to share the gospel and teach believers and He equipped them to do so.

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Today’s Helpful Word

Matthew 28

After the Sabbath, at dawn on the first day of the week, Mary Magdalene and the other Mary went to look at the tomb.

There was a violent earthquake, for an angel of the Lord came down from heaven and, going to the tomb, rolled back the stone and sat on it. His appearance was like lightning, and his clothes were white as snow. The guards were so afraid of him that they shook and became like dead men.

The angel said to the women, “Do not be afraid, for I know that you are looking for Jesus, who was crucified.  He is not here; he has risen, just as he said. Come and see the place where he lay. Then go quickly and tell his disciples: ‘He has risen from the dead and is going ahead of you into Galilee. There you will see him.’ Now I have told you.”

So the women hurried away from the tomb, afraid yet filled with joy, and ran to tell his disciples.  Suddenly Jesus met them. “Greetings,” he said. They came to him, clasped his feet and worshiped him. Then Jesus said to them, “Do not be afraid. Go and tell my brothers to go to Galilee; there they will see me.”

If you are feeling suicidal, or concerned about someone who is, in the U.S. call the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 988, or for a list of international suicide hotlines, go here.

If you are suicidal with a plan, immediately call 911 in the U.S. or go to your nearest emergency room. In the EU call 112. (For other international emergency numbers, go here ). Hope and help are yours!

Always the Fight Ministries (ATFM) has been displaying compassion for those fighting mental illness, addiction, or abuse since 2012. Nancy is the founder and voice of ATFM and openly shares her emotional resurrection from despair. NOTE: Nancy is not a doctor or a mental health professional, and speaks only from personal experience and observations. In no way is this website intended to substitute for professional mental or behavioral health care.

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