The words and acts of Jesus towards women is greatly different than what we’ve been reading so far: greatly different, night and day! Once upon a time, women were looked upon as “property” (Exodus 20:17 lumps wives in with oxen). I’ve known some strong women, but I don’t believe that was the point here. But neither was the point to indicate polygamy, but it did! But, on to Jesus!
Let’s begin near the end of the life of Jesus (Gospel of Mark) where a dinner is being held in Bethany, at the home of a leper named Simon. You know the story, right? In an act of devotion she pours the oil on the feet of Jesus. This totally unacceptable act (Mark 14:3-9) was greatly approved by Jesus.
Say what?
We see a similar story played out in Luke but with some differences of course: different writer, 15-20 years later. And, this woman is a prostitute of all things. Now we’re talking serious PROBLEM! Add to that the sensual nature of her washing His feet with her HAIR of all things.
But once more Jesus approves!
A new consciousness is being formed. New neural grooves in the brain of religious man are hoping to be formed by Jesus. The story is played out in Matthew 26, and John 12. This is revolutionary stuff and probably the reason that it’s found in all four gospels, with various viewpoints on who the woman was.
Jesus spoke the the Samaritan woman at the well- ALONE nonetheless!
Women supported and followed Jesus on his journey. Women were mentioned at the tomb of Jesus in all gospels (though Paul mentions no women of course). Women played necessary and important roles in Jesus’ public ministry, and witnessed his death, burial and resurrection. The first appearance of the risen Jesus was to Mary Magdalene, who then served as the “apostle to the apostles.†The voluntary celibacy embraced by Jesus and Paul is best understood not negatively, as a criticism of women, marriage or the human body, but rather positively, as flowing from their total commitment to God’s Kingdom.
Jesus FREED everyone!
The manner Jesus dealt with the women of his day gives undeniable evidence that the oppressive treatment of women, by the edicts of the old contract, was ended. Jesus nullified many centuries of oppressive Jewish law and custom. He clearly treated women and men as equals. He ignored numerous Old Testament edicts which specified inequality. He consistently violated the rules, concerning women, of the three major Jewish religious groups of the day: the Essenes, Pharisees, and Sadducees. The treatment of women by Jesus was nothing short of radical for his day.
It’s time for the church to become radical TODAY as well!
I think I’m done with the subject for now, other than living it! 
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