What can we learn from what the Bible says about Jesus and women?

The grace of the Lord Jesus was active towards all who came to Him when He dwelt here among men, but He seemed to have had the greatest consideration for the women. They are "the weaker vessels" and were not of much account in the estimation of the men. They had a proverb in those days, "Better burn the words of the Law than teach them to a woman," and even to this day in the Jewish Liturgy the men give thanks to God that they were not born women. But in contrast to the proud spirit of man the Lord stooped to the weak, the despised, and the neglected, and the greater their need the greater was His compassion for them.

The woman of the city could have expected nothing but scorn and rebuke from the Pharisee and his guests; then why did she venture across his threshold? Jesus was there and the grace that was in Him drew her to His feet, and that same grace broke her heart and moved her to repentance and saved her from herself and her sins. With what wonder she must have listened as He talked about her, and approved her conduct and held her up as an example to the proud man at the other end of the table. She had been a great sinner, but He spoke even to her, for He would not let her go away without the comfort and assurance that only His voice could give; and what wonderful words she heard, never would the music of them cease to sing in her soul. "Thy sins are forgiven. Thy faith has saved thee; go in peace." No wonder she loved much, for of all the people at that dinner, and of all those that crowded round the door of that house, she, the most despised and sinful, was the chiefest object of His gracious consideration that day (Luke 7:36-50). — Such was Jesus!

The woman who had been long plagued with the issue of blood was hopeless of any cure and bankrupt of all her resources. Who would care for her, the victim of a loathsome malady, robbed of all her charm and wealth, and a burden to her relatives? But Jesus came to the town where she lived her unhappy life, and at the sight of Him faith awoke within her, and she said, "If only I could touch Him!" She knew that she might touch Him, her heart told her that He would not resent it, and He knew what was in her heart; and in response to her outstretched hand He healed her of her plague.

She would have gone away satisfied with that, but He would not permit it. He intended that she should carry into her brighter future, not the effect of His power in her body only, but the knowledge of His deep personal interest in her which would be an everlasting link between her soul and Him. So she saw His face and heard His voice, saying to her, "Daughter, be of good comfort; thy faith has made thee whole; go in peace" (Luke 8:43-48). — Such was Jesus!

The women stood by the cross when all the men who had protested their devotion to Him had fled away, except John. The women were the last at His sepulchre on the night of His death and the first there on the morning of His resurrection, and to them He revealed Himself alive, before any of the men knew of His resurrection. And Mary Magdalene was chiefest among those women and the first to see Him.

The women stood by the cross when all the men who had protested their devotion to Him had fled away, except John. The women were the last at His sepulchre on the night of His death and the first there on the morning of His resurrection, and to them He revealed Himself alive, before any of the men knew of His resurrection. And Mary Magdalene was chiefest among those women and the first to see Him.

In two great respects God has honored the woman beyond the man in the New Testament. (1) Christ was born of a woman, the virgin Mary. (2) The Lord, after His resurrection, appeared first to a woman, Mary Magdalene. These two women have a wonderful place in connection with the Lord. Mary was spoken of as "highly favored" and "blessed among women," and Mary Magdalene is noted for her affection for the Lord and was privileged to carry a wonderful message from the risen Lord to the disciples.

What a glorious message it was. The crucified One risen from the dead! Mary of Magdala is in the foreground. Out of her the Lord had driven seven demons. She and the other Mary take the place of a Miriam and Deborah in the Old Testament. They are to herald and celebrate the mighty victory over sin, death and the devil which had been won. They hear the good news first and are the publishers of the same. As in the beginning of the Gospel, in the genealogy of the King, women are prominently mentioned, so in the closing scenes, in the triumph of the King, they have the lead.

And now, mark, her testimony gathers the disciples. A poor, feeble woman, it is true; no preacher was she, and yet look at her ministry; it was her testimony which brought the disciples together. And when they are found together by the word which she announces of His resurrection, as He appeared to her first Himself, He stands in their midst to historically make good His promise prophetically expressed in Psalm 22, to declare all these wonderful things; He announces peace, saying, "Peace unto you," as the fruit of His death, peace as proclaimed in His resurrection, that is the first thing.

However, the women were no more calm in leaving the grave than they had been in coming. They trembled and were amazed, too afraid even to speak to others of it at the moment. Eventually they did bring the message to the disciples (Lk.24:1-10). There is difficulty in understanding clearly the order of events that day, for John 20:2 tells us that when Mary Magdalene saw the stone rolled away from the grave, she ran to tell Peter and John. Other details too we may find difficult to fit into their place; but each account is given from a different viewpoint, but each is truth, inspired by God. Verse 9 connects with John 20:14-19, and is deeply precious for its declaration of the Lord's appearance first to a woman, in resurrection. She is the striking illustration of a heart utterly broken, yet of sorrow turned to unutterable joy. It is mentioned here also that the Lord had cast seven demons out of her. She had reason to love much. She became His messenger with a message that ought to have deeply impressed the disciples (John 20:17); but their mourning and weeping were not allayed by this: they did not believe. Peter and John ought to have been the exceptions since they had before seen the empty grave (Jn.20:3-9).

Had then women no seemly or suited, no good and useful, place in Christianity? None can deny that they have, who see how honoured were some of them in caring for the Lord Himself in His ministry (Luke 8:1-3), who know how He vindicated Mary that anointed Him when the apostles found fault under evil influence. Certainly He put no slight on Mary of Magdala, if His resurrection interrupted the plan of those who brought their spices and ointments after His death. Not otherwise do we find the action of the Holy Ghost when the Lord went to heaven. Mary the mother of John Mark gives her house for the gathering together of many to pray; and the four daughters of Philip were not forbidden to prophesy at home, though even there authority could not be rightly exercised over a man. Lydia is a beautiful example of Christian simple-heartedness and zeal; her house too has honour put on it for the truth's sake. Nor was Priscilla out of place when she with her husband helped the learned Alexandrian, mighty in the scriptures, to know the way of God more thoroughly. Romans 16 pays no passing honour to many a sister, from Phoebe who served the church at Cenchreae, commended to the saints in Rome as a succourer of many and of Paul himself. Prisca or Priscilla again is coupled with her husband as his fellow-workers in Christ, who not only for his life laid down their own necks, but wherever they went opened their house for the assembly. But need we dwell on all the cases and the beautifully discriminating notice taken of them?

The Lord did not find fault with one who went into her city and invited the men to come and see the man who told her all things that ever she did — Jesus the Christ (John 4). After His resurrection, He sent Mary to His disciples with a message of His resurrection (John 20); Dorcas made clothes for the poor (Acts 9); Priscilla (with her husband, Aquila) took Apollos and instructed him more perfectly in the way of God (Acts 18:2); before the canon of Scripture was complete God was pleased to make known His mind by prophets, as we have seen (pp. 34, 35); and it seems from Acts 21 that the four daughters of Philip the Evangelist prophesied. Now we must not forget that PHILIP was the evangelist — the daughters were not evangelists. It is said that they prophesied; and, taken in connection with the revealed mind of the Lord respecting the non-publicity and the unassuming mode in which women should conduct themselves, I see no reason for deducing the highly improper, yea ungodly, conduct of women taking a place which the Lord in His sovereignty did not apportion to them. But to prophesy did not necessarily need a prominent place; for Agabus the prophet told of Paul's imminent suffering and thus prophesied; but could he not have uttered his prediction in private? And so I judge could Philip's daughters. At any rate, we have neither prophets nor prophetesses now. But further, Paul speaks of certain women in Rom. 16 connected with his ministry: Phoebe was a servant (deaconess) of the gathering at Cenchrea; Priscilla was a helper (v. 3); Mary bestowed much labour on the servants of Christ (v. 5), etc.

I conclude, from the above references (1) That where the grace and the time are afforded by the Lord, godly women may be of immense service in going about and inviting people to preachings, lectures, etc., thus being "helpers" to evangelists and teachers; and if such were active, much expense might be avoided in the use of printed bills, etc.; (2) Such women as have the time and grace will find abundance to do in visiting and helping on young converts, comforting the sick, finding out real cases of need among such as do not tell it to the public, and — securing means from those who delight to use their money for the Lord — such godly women may relieve the poor needy ones; (3) Further, they may have Bible classes at their houses, or in Sunday Schools, for instructing females or children. But I would seek to impress upon my sisters who would be evangelists or teachers, and my brethren who encourage them, that the authority of the LORD JESUS has never been given for such conduct.