First Honors

Dorothy Sayers’ observations on the presence of women in Jesus’ life and ministry are insightful and accurate. “Perhaps it is no wonder that the women were first at the Cradle and last at the Cross. They had never known a man like this Man - there has never been such another. A prophet and teacher who never nagged at them; never flattered or coaxed or patronized; who never made arch jokes about them . . .

“Who took their questions and arguments seriously; who never mapped out their sphere for them; never urged them to be feminine or jeered at them for being female; who had no axe to grind and no uneasy male dignity to defend; who took them as he found them and was completely unselfconscious.”

Correspondingly, the Gospel writers portray Jesus as unusually compassionate and sensitive towards women. Indeed, the incarnate Christ validated and respected women; never treating them as inferior or unfairly. We find in the Bible, a God who entrusts women with great responsibility and bestows on them the honor of many firsts.

Women were first at the cradle of Jesus. When confronted by the angel with the promise of the Christ-child, Mary believes the word of the Lord and humbly accepts this responsibility. This is no small matter. The Sovereign Lord could have chosen to allow the incarnate Christ to appear out of nowhere. Yet instead he chose to entrust a young Jewish girl with carrying his Son the Messiah, and raising him as well.

Later in life, Jesus travels through Samaria. Resting at a well he initiates a conversation with a woman in the middle of the day. Notably, the spiritual content of the dialogue between Jesus and the Samaritan woman is no less weighty than Jesus’ conversation with the rabbinically trained Nicodemas the chapter before. For her part the Samaritan woman asks some very spiritually perceptive questions and Jesus responds thoughtfully.

Jesus deems the Samaritan woman capable of comprehending and assimilating deep spiritual truths. Truths that prompt her to tell those in her town about Jesus and subsequently many believe. A Samaritan woman is her country’s first evangelist.

Women were also the first to arrive at Jesus’ tomb. They were the first to witness the resurrection, the first commissioned to go and tell, “He is not here, he has risen!”What a great honor God bestowed on women by commanding them to be the first preachers of the resurrection.

Two thousand years ago, Jesus modeled for us how to respect and value women for he knows their worth.

Why is it then that domestic violence affects 25% of the female population worldwide? Why is it then that 80% of Jamaica’s children are born out of wedlock? Why is it then that 3 million girls are at risk each year for female genital mutilation? Why is it then that human trafficking is the third most profitable criminal activity around the globe? Church, this should not be.

The value and worth God places on women is undeniable. But let me be perfectly clear, to validate and respect women is not to invalidate or disrespect men. Women and men together reflect the image of God, and in Christ, we share an immeasurable inheritance. All I ask Church is that we continue to do what Jesus began. For I believe how we treat women is a reflection of our relationship with and our understanding of God.

At New Vision City of Refuge we strive to model for and teach our young girls their value and worth in God’s eyes. Many have been abused and deal with the effects of abandonment. But with the healing power of the Holy Spirit, and your prayers and support, we can open their eyes to their God-given value and worth.

Imagine their potential.