1. Over the years women have often been mistreated in various arenas. The feminist movement of the 1960s and '70s originally focused on dismantling workplace inequality, such as denial of access to better jobs and salary inequity, via anti-discrimination laws. ... As such, the different wings of the feminist movement sought women's equality on both a political and personal level.
2. This inequality was expressed in the first century even among God’s people.
a. Women were not considered trustworthy witnesses
b. Their testimony was not accepted in court
3. Jesus had a major impact on this inconsistency in the way he treated women. Galatians 3.28
I. The Woman of Jesus’ Birth – Galatians 4.4
A. Jesus Participated in the Human Process – Philippians 2.5-8
1. Conception and birth – all of the dangers and joys; Jewish Ceremonies
2. Grew up as we do – Luke 2.52 cf. 1 Samuel 2.26
And Jesus increased in wisdom and in stature and in favor with God and man.
3. Lived as a person – builder/rabbi – enter vigor of occupation at 30
4. He learned and lived the same way you do
B. God Chose an Exceptional Mother for Jesus
1. Mary knew scripture – Luke 1.46-55
2. Mary trusted God
II. The Women in the “Dust of Jesus’ Feet” (“Disciples”)
A. Discipleship was Normally Limited to Men
Men’s Daily Prayer SEEMED to be a put down to women
"Blessed are you, LORD our God, King of the Universe, for not having made me a Gentile."
"Blessed are you, LORD our God, King of the Universe, for not having made me a slave."
“Blessed are you, LORD our God, King of the Universe, for not having made me a woman."
1. At first glance this seems to be condescending towards women
2. Actually it deals with the domestic distractions and monthly cycle of women
3. Men were required to do certain spiritual things according to the teachings of Moses
4. Women had options and a different set of priorities – domestic duties trumped religious ones; women could do as much as they wanted
5. Men did not want to be distracted from GETTING to serve God
B. Several Women Were Taught by Jesus
1. Mary and Martha Scenario – Luke 10.38-42
2. Women Supported Jesus Financially – Luke 8.1-3
3. Jesus taught/discipled a woman at a well in Samaria – John 4
4. Jesus taught/discipled a woman in Tyre and Sidon – Mark 7.24-30
5. Jesus taught/discipled a woman with an issue of blood – Matthew 9.20-22
C. Women Were Subjects in His Teachings
1. Woman and Lost Coin – Luke 15
2. Woman that Badgered the Judge (prayer) – Luke 18.1-8
3. Widow and Mites – Matthew 12.41-44
III. The Women at Jesus’ Cross
A. Most of the Men are Absent
B. Women at the Cross Matthew 27.55-56; John 19.25-27
Mary, the Mother of Jesus; Salome, Mary’s Sister (in John – “Mary’s sister”; in Mark, “Salome” – wife of Zebedee; rebuked by Jesus regarding greatness for James and John – at cross begins understanding the cup Jesus spoke of); Mary, wife of Clopas (Mother of James and Joseph?); Mary Magdalene – Mark 16.9
Matthew 27.55-56 55 There were also many women there, looking on from a distance, who had followed Jesus from Galilee, ministering to him, 56 among whom were Mary Magdalene and Mary the mother of James and Joseph and the mother of the sons of Zebedee.
John 19.25-27
25 but standing by the cross of Jesus were his mother and his mother's sister, Mary the wife of Clopas, and Mary Magdalene. 26 When Jesus saw his mother and the disciple whom he loved standing nearby, he said to his mother, “Woman, behold, your son!” 27 Then he said to the disciple, “Behold, your mother!” And from that hour the disciple took her to his own home.
IV. The Women at Jesus’ Tomb
A. First Witnesses of the Resurrection
Mark 16.1-8
When the Sabbath was past, Mary Magdalene, Mary the mother of James, and Salome bought spices, so that they might go and anoint him. 2 And very early on the first day of the week, when the sun had risen, they went to the tomb. 3 And they were saying to one another, “Who will roll away the stone for us from the entrance of the tomb?” 4 And looking up, they saw that the stone had been rolled back—it was very large. 5 And entering the tomb, they saw a young man sitting on the right side, dressed in a white robe, and they were alarmed. 6 And he said to them, “Do not be alarmed. You seek Jesus of Nazareth, who was crucified. He has risen; he is not here. See the place where they laid him. 7 But go, tell his disciples and Peter that he is going before you to Galilee. There you will see him, just as he told you.” 8 And they went out and fled from the tomb, for trembling and astonishment had seized them, and they said nothing to anyone, for they were afraid.
B. First to Encounter the Resurrected Jesus and Tell the Good News
John 20.11-18
11 But Mary stood weeping outside the tomb, and as she wept she stooped to look into the tomb. 12 And she saw two angels in white, sitting where the body of Jesus had lain, one at the head and one at the feet. 13 They said to her, “Woman, why are you weeping?” She said to them, “They have taken away my Lord, and I do not know where they have laid him.” 14 Having said this, she turned around and saw Jesus standing, but she did not know that it was Jesus. 15 Jesus said to her, “Woman, why are you weeping? Whom are you seeking?” Supposing him to be the gardener, she said to him, “Sir, if you have carried him away, tell me where you have laid him, and I will take him away.” 16 Jesus said to her, “Mary.” She turned and said to him in Aramaic, “Rabboni!” (which means Teacher). 17 Jesus said to her, “Do not cling to me, for I have not yet ascended to the Father; but go to my brothers and say to them, ‘I am ascending to my Father and your Father, to my God and your God.’” 18 Mary Magdalene went and announced to the disciples, “I have seen the Lord”—and that he had said these things to her.
V. The Women Awaiting Jesus’ Promise
A. Women in the Upper Room – Acts 1.14
These all continued with one accord in prayer and supplication, with the women and Mary the mother of Jesus, and with His brothers.
B. Women Experienced the Prophecy of Joel (Acts 2.17-18 cf. Joel 2)
17 “‘And in the last days it shall be, God declares,
that I will pour out my Spirit on all flesh,
and your sons and your daughters shall prophesy,
and your young men shall see visions,
and your old men shall dream dreams;
18 even on my male servants and female servants
in those days I will pour out my Spirit, and they shall prophesy.
1. Lesson #1 – ALL of us have equal access to God by means of Jesus
2. Lesson #2 – ALL of us have opportunity to serve God by means of Jesus
3. Lesson #3 – ALL of us can be content in knowing Jesus and being known by him
a. Some of the women in the life of Jesus are well-known
b. Some of the women in the life of Jesus are unknown
c. It’s enough to know him and be known by him; notoriety is unnecessary
