Jesus and Women

We generally think of the 12 apostles as Jesus’ regular followers, but there were also women. We know of Mary Magdalen, Martha, Mary Salome, the Samaritan woman, the woman cured of a hemorrhage, and the Canaanite woman. I’m sure there were more women in their company, who were never counted. Who else would prepare the meals for the Twelve? Who else would help keep the children quiet? Who else would wash the dishes?

Women were not considered equal or important in that period of Jewish history. We know that when Jesus worked the miracle of the loaves and fishes, the crowd was estimated at 5,000, not counting women and children. Yet, Jesus was always present to women and acknowledged them. It is evident in many of the stories in the New Testament. One example is the woman with the hemorrhage who merely touched the hem of his garment. He did not ignore her, but asked who touched him? He also cured the daughter of the centurion, the mother-in-law of Peter, the Samaritan woman, and Mary Magdalen, and forgave the woman caught in adultery. 

In our day, women have gained more recognition but are still considered less important by some. We have many women congressional representatives, lawyers, doctors, TV commentators, movie stars, and leaders of organizations. They are just as capable as men and have gained numerous honors and accolades.

Jesus rose above the general treatment of women in his period of history. He acknowledged them, giving others an example of treating everyone with respect. May our society grow in its recognition of the equality of women in the church, in government, and in society.