by Donna Steward, Guest Author
Discovering Jesus’ compassionate heart for women can be a life-changing experience. How He treated women respectfully and with dignity dramatically changed His time and ours. By understanding His compassionate nature towards women, we can learn to value and appreciate the unique qualities of women. His powerful message of love, empowerment, and acceptance has stood the test of time and remains as relevant today as it was in the past. So, exploring His heart for women is a great place to start looking for inspiration and a deeper understanding of Jesus’ teachings.
In a time when women were often overlooked and disregarded, it was recognized that they were just as capable as men in bearing witness to the teachings of Jesus. The decision to acknowledge women as valid witnesses for Jesus was a courageous step towards dismantling that era’s deeply ingrained societal norms. This bold and daring action defied those norms, paving the way for a society that embraces women.
In John 4, we learn about a Samaritan woman’s powerful testimony of encountering Jesus. Despite facing societal barriers and prejudices, she fearlessly shared her experience with others, inspiring them to confront their obstacles and strive for personal growth. Her unwavering dedication to spreading Jesus’ teachings made her a powerful symbol of hope and resilience, proving that even in the face of adversity, one can significantly impact the world. Her story reminds us of Jesus’ transformative message and the importance of sharing our encounters with Him to inspire others.
Mark 5:25-34 provides another compelling example. “And a woman was there who had been subject to bleeding for twelve years. She had suffered a great deal under the care of many doctors and had spent all she had, yet instead of getting better she grew worse. When she heard about Jesus, she came up behind him in the crowd and touched His cloak, because she thought, ‘If I just touch His clothes, I will be healed.’ Immediately her bleeding stopped and she felt in her body that she was freed from her suffering. At once Jesus realized that power had gone out from him. He turned around in the crowd and asked, ‘Who touched my clothes?’ ‘You see the people crowding against you,’ His disciples answered, ‘and yet you can ask, “Who touched me?”‘ But Jesus kept looking around to see who had done it. Then the woman, knowing what had happened to her, came and fell at His feet and, trembling with fear, told him the whole truth. He said to her, ‘Daughter, your faith has healed you. Go in peace and be freed from your suffering’” (New International Version).
Mosaic Law forbade women who were ceremonially unclean to touch anyone, even the Son of God; but desperate times call for desperate measures. For more than a decade, she endured the agony of continuous blood loss that not only took a toll on her health, but also made her an outcast in her social circle.
By accepting a woman’s touch, Jesus broke societal norms and demonstrated His deep respect for women. This act of kindness was a powerful statement against the patriarchal norms of the time, and it remains an inspiration for women today.
With a single word from Jesus, 12 years of pain and isolation were swept away. The Mark 5 passage records how Jesus addressed the woman as “daughter” with unparalleled compassion. It’s a powerful testament to the kind of leader and teacher He was and a reminder of the love and care He showed to all who sought His guidance. The tenderness in His voice is palpable, and it demonstrates the depth of His love and care for all women. This small but powerful gesture reminds us of the unwavering kindness and grace we should strive to emulate. No other account depicts such an endearing and loving gesture. She was a member of the family now, restored to her community.
Jesus desires to cultivate in us a deep faith, similar to the dedication of the woman who touched the hem of His garment and was healed. Although she didn’t believe someone like her could ask Jesus for help, she recognized His power. She took a chance, touched His robe, and was immediately healed. Imagine the possibilities if you were to take the opportunity and trust Him.
Are you willing to take that leap of faith?
The woman at the well left her water jar and shifted her focus from earthly things to spiritual matters, making a life-changing decision. This pivotal moment marked the beginning of a transformative journey.
If we have yet to reach that level of faith, Jesus is always ready and willing to support and encourage our faith until it can grow even stronger.
Jesus’ compassionate touch healed the sick, comforted the grieving, and empowered the marginalized. Jesus’ emphasis on the importance of women in His ministry sets an example of equal access to Jesus by recognizing and uplifting the role of women in His teachings. Through His efforts, He cleared the path for establishing a fairer position for women in ministry. His commitment to empowering women in the church has left a lasting impact.
Who is Jesus and what does it mean to follow him? Click here to read. If you have questions, just send an email to NLBIministry@gmail.com.
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