Luke – Wide Open Doors!
Wait, what? Women in that day and time were not valued as much as men. They were mostly in the background of life. Only a few exceptions, “standouts” for “such a time as this” women were mentioned in God’s Word. We think of Esther, Debra the judge, Ruth and Naomi, and Rahab, all women from all walks of life, who God used in specific circumstances to declare his glory. But women were not celebrated or understood as equals…until Jesus.
Jesus comes to earth to seek lost people and turn them back to God while explaining to all what God intended from His Law. At the center of God’s Law is love. Jesus exemplifies this amazing love to all people. Jesus explains that one person is not above another person. Women are not an exception. Women are included in the “all”. We, brothers and sisters, love God because He first loved us.
Women are not only mentioned but they are an important part of the ministry and mission of Jesus Christ our Lord and their Lord. Upon believing in Him, they follow Him and contribute to His ministry financially. The women supported Jesus and the other disciples because they believed in Jesus and his work to seek and to save lost people. Later, at the foot of the cross, it would be these women who stayed with Christ. It would be these women who brought spices to the tomb to dignify the body of Christ. It would be these women who would be the first to meet the RISEN Christ and told to go tell the others! HOLY PAUSE: Let that sink in. This is not a joking matter.
They didn’t ask for equality or a soap box. They just gratefully followed Jesus who had not only healed them but gave them value and significance in a world that did not at that time. In return, they gave Him all they had in this world…all of themselves and their resources. Jesus, Friend to sinners, Savior of ALL who believe. Jesus not only accepts all people but raises them up to be brothers and sisters, heirs with Him, in glory.
Luke 8, New Living Translation
Women Who Followed Jesus
Soon afterward Jesus began a tour of the nearby towns and villages, preaching and announcing the Good News about the Kingdom of God. He took his twelve disciples with him, 2 along with some women who had been cured of evil spirits and diseases. Among them were Mary Magdalene, from whom he had cast out seven demons; 3 Joanna, the wife of Chuza, Herod’s business manager; Susanna; and many others who were contributing from their own resources to support Jesus and his disciples.
THINK ABOUT IT…
Everybody lives by faith in something or someone. The difference between the Christian believer and the unsaved person is not that one has faith and the other does not. They both have faith. The difference is in the object of their faith, for faith is only as good as the object. The Christian believer has put his/her faith in Jesus Christ, and he/she bases that faith on the Word of God.
Men and Women were created with specific gifts and talents and tasks they can do well because of their uniqueness. When we work together, with respect for each other’s differences and abilities as we follow Jesus, the ministry of Jesus is exponentially multiplied for Christ, in Christ, with Christ living in each one of us…brothers and sisters, united in Christ.The apostle Paul explains the “we and us” in Christ well;
“Therefore, dear brothers and sisters, you have no obligation to do what your sinful nature urges you to do. For if you live by its dictates, you will die. But if through the power of the Spirit you put to death the deeds of your sinful nature, you will live. For all who are led by the Spirit of God are children of God.
So you have not received a spirit that makes you fearful slaves. Instead, you received God’s Spirit when he adopted you as his own children. Now we call him, “Abba, Father.”
For his Spirit joins with our spirit to affirm that we are God’s children. And since we are his children, we are his heirs. In fact, together with Christ we are heirs of God’s glory. But if we are to share his glory, we must also share his suffering. Yet what we suffer now is nothing compared to the glory he will reveal to us later.”
(Romans 8:12-18, NLT)
Dear Heavenly Father,I believe. I love you with all my heart, mind and soul. I, too am grateful for your healing of my spirit, saving of my soul and the consistent transformation you are working in my life. I am a woman devoted to you and to your work to help others find, know and follow you. Keep me close to You, to hear You so I may quickly obey. You are the object of my faith! You give hope and joy, peace and love like no other can give.
In Jesus Name, Amen
Singing the song we sang in choir yesterday’s corporate praise of God for it is still ringing in my mind,
God is!
God is the strength of my life, and my portion, forever!
My heart was wounded, I was pierced from within
Nevertheless I’m forever redeemed
Whom else in heaven, none on the earth, my desire is to be with Thee!
God is the strength of my life, and my portion, forever!
God is the joy and the strength of my life
He moves all pain, misery and strife
He promises to keep me, never to leave me,
never ever come short of His Word!
God is the strength of my life, and my portion, forever!
GOD IS!
First let me say, This word is awesome and on point. Bless the Lord for discernment in this blog. A lot of folks don’t realize that woman made from the rib of man has a part of him, almost like the missing piece.
In the days when they believed that God didn’t deal with women, they missed that woman were created and when God created and manifested in this world He ended with and it was good.
Jesus coming to put order was for restoration, not only did Adam sin so did Eve, not only did man need restoration so did woman because God loved Woman as well. He looked for relationship with His creation, animals, Man and Woman.
When God builds a relationship with us he teaches us and talks to us and expects us to pass on the information or message. We hold a piece of the plan.
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Let no woman ever think she is less because of her gender for that is not true. Man or woman God made us different but equal before Him. When we realize that we fall far short of who He is we can equally stand together and loudly proclaim, as we are not, God is!
Blessings,
Homer Les
http://www.uncompromisingfaith.ca
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