Jesus Helped Women

Introduction:

The Gospels consistently portray Jesus as a figure who valued, respected, and ministered to women in a society where they often held a marginalized status. They followed Him, learned from Him, served Him, and financially supported His ministry. Crucially, they were also witnesses to His crucifixion and resurrection, becoming the first evangelists of the Christian faith. Jesus welcomed women as active participants and proclaimers of the good news. This study will examine several instances where Jesus demonstrated His care and provided help to women.

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1. Jesus Helped the Women Who Were Sad:

Jesus showed profound compassion for women experiencing grief and loss.

• An example when Jesus was concerned about a widow in Nain (Luke 7:11-15): Jesus encountered a funeral procession for the only son of a widow, leaving her utterly desolate. Moved with compassion, Jesus approached her and said, "Do not weep." He then went to the coffin, touched it, and commanded the young man to arise, restoring him to his mother.

◦ Discussion: What does this miracle reveal about Jesus' character and His attitude towards the suffering of women? How does His compassion in this instance offer comfort to those who are grieving today in Rio de Janeiro?

• Women have always been close to Jesus: The Gospels highlight the consistent presence and devotion of women in Jesus' life and ministry:

◦ His closest followers (Matthew 27:55-56): Many women who had followed Jesus from Galilee, ministering to him, were present as witnesses to His crucifixion.

◦ Last to leave the cross (Luke 23:55): Women who had come with Jesus from Galilee followed and saw the tomb and how his body was laid. Their loyalty extended to the very end.

◦ First, see him resurrected (Luke 24:1): On the first day of the week, early in the morning, the women went to the tomb and were the first to encounter the risen Christ.

◦ They learned from Jesus (John 4): The Samaritan woman at the well engaged in a profound theological conversation with Jesus and became an evangelist to her own town.

◦ Commended for their desire to learn (Luke 10:38-42): Mary, the sister of Martha, was commended by Jesus for choosing to sit at His feet and listen to His teaching, prioritizing spiritual learning.

• Jesus helped the women. They always came close to Him. Have you ever come closer to Jesus? The consistent closeness of women to Jesus suggests their receptivity to His message and their recognition of His care. This prompts reflection on our own proximity to Jesus and our willingness to draw near to Him.

◦ Personal Reflection: What does it mean for you to "come closer to Jesus" in your daily life? What are some ways you can cultivate a deeper relationship with Him?

2. Jesus Helped Women Even Though He Had to Face His Opponents:

Jesus' compassion and willingness to help women transcended social norms and the opposition of religious authorities.

• There are no barriers to Christ working in your life: Jesus' actions demonstrate that neither social stigma nor religious opposition could prevent Him from ministering to those in need. This offers hope that no obstacle is too great for Christ's love and power to reach us.

• Christ healed a woman who had been hopelessly bent over for eighteen years (Luke 13:10-17): In the synagogue on the Sabbath, Jesus healed a woman who had suffered from a debilitating condition for eighteen years, leaving her permanently bent over.

◦ Discussion: What kind of physical, emotional, or spiritual "bending over" might people experience today? How does Jesus' healing of this woman offer hope for restoration and freedom?

• The leader of the synagogue is outraged with Jesus for having performed this miracle on the Sabbath, when work was forbidden by religious law. Jesus responds with a wise question: "You hypocrites! Does not each of you untie your ox or donkey from the manger on the Sabbath and lead it away to water?" It highlights the hypocrisy of those who value ritual rules more than compassion and restoration of people. Jesus exposed the hypocrisy of religious leaders who prioritized rigid adherence to Sabbath laws over the well-being of a suffering woman. His question reveals the inconsistency of their application of the law.

◦ Discussion: How can religious rules or traditions sometimes become barriers to showing compassion and meeting the genuine needs of people? What does Jesus' response teach us about the proper balance between religious observance and love for others?

• Courageously, on the Sabbath and inside the synagogue in the face of hostile religious leaders, Jesus helped and defended this poor woman. Jesus' action was deliberate and bold, prioritizing the woman's healing and dignity even in a hostile environment. He stood up for her and against the rigid legalism that would have left her suffering.

• He spoke to her, tenderly laid his hands on her, and caused her to stand upright, for which she glorified God. He then acknowledged her equal position with men in Israel's religious heritage, referring to her as a daughter of Abraham (cf. John 8:33, 39). Jesus' interaction was personal and compassionate. His touch and words brought physical healing and restored her dignity. By calling her a "daughter of Abraham," He affirmed her belonging to God's covenant people, highlighting her spiritual equality with men.

◦ Discussion: How did Jesus' words and actions restore not only the woman's physical health but also her social and spiritual standing? What does it mean to acknowledge the equal position of women in God's kingdom?

3. Jesus Helped Socially Discriminated Women:

Jesus extended grace and healing to women who were marginalized and condemned by society.

• In the context of John 8:4-11, the scribes and Pharisees bring to Jesus a woman who had been caught red-handed committing adultery. Jesus challenges the scribes and the accusers leave, one by one, realizing their own imperfection. This account, though its placement in the canon is debated by some scholars, powerfully illustrates Jesus' merciful approach to a woman caught in a serious sin. He did not condone her sin but exposed the hypocrisy of her accusers.

• Jesus turns to the woman and asks, "Woman, where are those accusers of yours? Has no one condemned you?" The woman replies that no one has condemned her, and Jesus says to her: "Neither do I condemn you; go, and sin no more." Jesus offered forgiveness and a new beginning, urging her towards repentance without condemnation from Him.

◦ Discussion: How does Jesus' interaction with the adulterous woman demonstrate His love, mercy, and call to repentance? How can we reflect this same grace and truth in our interactions with those who have fallen?

• Mentioned in all three Synoptic Gospels is the story of great faith in breaking religious and social customs, a woman rendered ceremonially unclean for twelve years by a bleeding disorder. This woman suffered not only from a debilitating physical ailment but also from social isolation due to the Jewish laws regarding ritual purity.

• She touched by faith the garment of Jesus in a great crowd (Matthew 9:20-22; Mark 5:25-34; Luke 8:43-48). Desperate for healing, she believed that even touching the hem of Jesus' garment would cure her. Her act, though breaking social and religious customs, demonstrated profound faith.

• Instead of rebuking her, Jesus addressed her tenderly as "daughter," publicly strengthened her faith, and asked her to go in the peace of God. Jesus acknowledged her faith, affirmed her healing, and bestowed peace upon her. By calling her "daughter," He extended familial warmth and acceptance to someone who had likely experienced much social exclusion.

◦ Discussion: How did Jesus honor the faith of this woman who broke social norms to seek healing? What does His response teach us about the power of faith that transcends societal barriers?

Conclusion:

The Gospel accounts clearly demonstrate the high value Jesus placed on women. He ministered to their physical and spiritual needs with compassion, courageously challenged societal norms and religious hypocrisy on their behalf, and offered grace and restoration to those who were marginalized. Jesus welcomed their devotion, valued their learning, and entrusted them with the momentous news of His resurrection. His interactions with women serve as a powerful testament to His inclusive love and the equal standing of women in the kingdom of God. As believers in Rio de Janeiro, we are called to emulate Jesus' example by valuing, respecting, and ministering to the women in our lives and communities. How can you actively demonstrate the same care and value for women that Jesus did?

Jesus Helped Women