Empowering Women: Jesus' Revolutionary Inclusion in Ministry
Summary
Grace and peace to you all. Today, we explored the often-overlooked role of women in the ministry of Jesus, as highlighted in Luke 8:1-3. These women, including Mary Magdalene, Joanna, and Susanna, were not just passive followers but active participants in Jesus' mission. They supported His ministry financially and were integral to the spread of the Gospel. In a time when women were marginalized and their voices silenced, Jesus' inclusion of them was revolutionary. He challenged societal norms by valuing their contributions and giving them a voice and a place in His ministry.
The cultural context of the first century was one where women were often seen as inferior and were excluded from religious education and leadership. The Talmud, a central text of Rabbinic Judaism, reflected these views, limiting women's roles and voices. Yet, Jesus broke these barriers, advocating for the education and inclusion of women. The story of Mary and Martha illustrates this, where Jesus commended Mary for choosing to learn at His feet, a position traditionally reserved for male disciples.
Jesus' actions were not just about inclusion but about empowerment. By involving women in His ministry, He demonstrated that the Kingdom of God is open to all, regardless of gender. This inclusivity was not just a historical footnote but a call to action for us today. We are reminded that everyone, regardless of their background or societal status, is valuable in the eyes of God and has a role to play in His Kingdom.
As we reflect on these truths, let us be inspired to follow Jesus' example by valuing and empowering those who are marginalized in our society. Let us recognize the gifts and voices of all people, understanding that God calls each of us to a life of purpose and significance. May we have the courage to pick up our cross and follow Him, allowing His Spirit to work through us to bring about His Kingdom on earth.
Key Takeaways:
- Jesus' inclusion of women in His ministry was revolutionary, challenging societal norms and giving them a voice and a place in His mission. This act of empowerment reminds us that the Kingdom of God is open to all, regardless of gender or societal status. [50:30]
- The cultural context of the first century marginalized women, often silencing their voices and excluding them from religious education. Jesus broke these barriers, advocating for their education and inclusion, as seen in the story of Mary and Martha. [55:11]
- Jesus held both men and women to the same standard of discipleship, calling them to pick up their cross and follow Him. This equality in responsibility and opportunity is a powerful reminder of the value and potential of every individual in God's Kingdom. [57:48]
- The women who followed Jesus, such as Mary Magdalene, Joanna, and Susanna, were not just passive supporters but active participants in His ministry. Their financial support and presence at key moments in Jesus' life highlight their significant role in the spread of the Gospel. [01:04:47]
- Jesus' actions towards women were not just historical acts of kindness but a call to action for us today. We are challenged to value and empower those who are marginalized, recognizing their gifts and voices as essential to the work of God's Kingdom. [01:11:55]
Youtube Chapters:
- [00:00] - Welcome
- [00:30] - Opening Prayer
- [01:15] - Introduction to the Disciples
- [02:45] - Women in Jesus' Ministry
- [04:30] - Cultural Context of the First Century
- [06:00] - Jesus' Revolutionary Inclusion
- [08:15] - Mary and Martha's Story
- [10:00] - The Role of Women in the Early Church
- [12:30] - Mary Magdalene's Transformation
- [14:00] - Joanna and Susanna's Contributions
- [16:00] - Jesus' Call to Discipleship
- [18:00] - Empowerment and Equality
- [20:00] - Call to Action for Today
- [22:00] - Closing Prayer and Invitation to Pray
Study Guide
Bible Study Discussion Guide
Bible Reading:
- Luke 8:1-3
- John 8:1-11
- Luke 10:38-42
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Observation Questions:
1. In Luke 8:1-3, what roles did Mary Magdalene, Joanna, and Susanna play in Jesus' ministry, and how did they support Him? [50:30]
2. How does the story of Mary and Martha in Luke 10:38-42 illustrate Jesus' view on the education and inclusion of women? [57:48]
3. What societal norms did Jesus challenge by including women in His ministry, as discussed in the sermon? [55:11]
4. How does the account of the adulterous woman in John 8:1-11 reflect the cultural attitudes towards women during Jesus' time? [55:11]
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Interpretation Questions:
1. What does Jesus' inclusion of women in His ministry suggest about His view of gender equality and the roles of women in the Kingdom of God? [01:11:55]
2. How might the cultural context of the first century have influenced the way Jesus' actions towards women were perceived by His contemporaries? [55:11]
3. In what ways does the story of Mary and Martha challenge traditional views of women's roles in religious settings? [57:48]
4. How does Jesus' treatment of the adulterous woman in John 8:1-11 redefine the concept of responsibility and sin in the context of gender? [55:11]
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Application Questions:
1. Reflect on a time when you felt marginalized or undervalued. How can Jesus' example of inclusion and empowerment inspire you to see your own worth and potential in God's Kingdom? [01:11:55]
2. Identify a person or group in your community who may feel marginalized. What practical steps can you take to include and empower them, following Jesus' example? [01:11:55]
3. How can you challenge societal norms in your own life that may limit the roles and voices of women, both in the church and in broader society? [55:11]
4. Consider the story of Mary and Martha. How can you prioritize learning and spiritual growth in your life, even when societal expectations may suggest otherwise? [57:48]
5. Jesus held both men and women to the same standard of discipleship. How can you ensure that you are living up to this standard in your daily walk with Christ? [57:48]
6. Reflect on the story of the adulterous woman. How can you practice grace and forgiveness in your interactions with others, especially those who may be judged harshly by society? [55:11]
7. What specific actions can you take this week to recognize and value the gifts and voices of those around you, regardless of their gender or societal status? [01:11:55]
Devotional
Day 1: Jesus' Revolutionary Inclusion of Women
Jesus' ministry was marked by a revolutionary inclusion of women, challenging societal norms and giving them a voice and a place in His mission. In a time when women were often marginalized and their contributions overlooked, Jesus' actions were groundbreaking. He not only welcomed women into His circle but also valued their contributions, both financially and spiritually, to the spread of the Gospel. This act of empowerment serves as a reminder that the Kingdom of God is open to all, regardless of gender or societal status. Jesus' inclusion of women was not just a historical act but a profound statement about the value and potential of every individual in God's Kingdom. [50:30]
Galatians 3:28 (ESV): "There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither slave nor free, there is no male and female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus."
Reflection: Who in your life might feel marginalized or overlooked? How can you actively include and empower them in your community or church this week?
Day 2: Breaking Cultural Barriers
In the first century, women were often marginalized, their voices silenced, and their roles limited by cultural and religious norms. The Talmud, a central text of Rabbinic Judaism, reflected these views, restricting women's participation in religious education and leadership. However, Jesus broke these barriers by advocating for the education and inclusion of women. The story of Mary and Martha illustrates this, as Jesus commended Mary for choosing to learn at His feet, a position traditionally reserved for male disciples. By doing so, Jesus demonstrated that His teachings and the Kingdom of God were accessible to all, regardless of gender. [55:11]
Acts 2:17-18 (ESV): "'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; even on my male servants and female servants in those days I will pour out my Spirit, and they shall prophesy.'"
Reflection: What cultural or societal barriers do you see in your community today? How can you follow Jesus' example in breaking these barriers to promote inclusion and equality?
Day 3: Equality in Discipleship
Jesus held both men and women to the same standard of discipleship, calling them to pick up their cross and follow Him. This equality in responsibility and opportunity is a powerful reminder of the value and potential of every individual in God's Kingdom. By involving women in His ministry, Jesus demonstrated that discipleship is not limited by gender but is a call to all who are willing to follow Him. This call to discipleship is a challenge for us today to recognize the gifts and voices of all people, understanding that God calls each of us to a life of purpose and significance. [57:48]
1 Corinthians 12:12-14 (ESV): "For just as the body is one and has many members, and all the members of the body, though many, are one body, so it is with Christ. For in one Spirit we were all baptized into one body—Jews or Greeks, slaves or free—and all were made to drink of one Spirit. For the body does not consist of one member but of many."
Reflection: In what ways can you encourage and support someone in your community to take up their role in God's Kingdom, regardless of their background or societal status?
Day 4: Active Participation in Ministry
The women who followed Jesus, such as Mary Magdalene, Joanna, and Susanna, were not just passive supporters but active participants in His ministry. Their financial support and presence at key moments in Jesus' life highlight their significant role in the spread of the Gospel. These women were integral to Jesus' mission, demonstrating that everyone has a role to play in the work of God's Kingdom. Their example challenges us to consider how we can actively participate in ministry and support the work of the Gospel in our own communities. [01:04:47]
Romans 16:1-2 (ESV): "I commend to you our sister Phoebe, a servant of the church at Cenchreae, that you may welcome her in the Lord in a way worthy of the saints, and help her in whatever she may need from you, for she has been a patron of many and of myself as well."
Reflection: How can you use your resources, time, or talents to actively support and participate in the ministry of your church or community?
Day 5: A Call to Empower the Marginalized
Jesus' actions towards women were not just historical acts of kindness but a call to action for us today. We are challenged to value and empower those who are marginalized, recognizing their gifts and voices as essential to the work of God's Kingdom. This call to action is a reminder that everyone, regardless of their background or societal status, is valuable in the eyes of God and has a role to play in His Kingdom. As we reflect on these truths, let us be inspired to follow Jesus' example by valuing and empowering those who are marginalized in our society. [01:11:55]
James 2:1-4 (ESV): "My brothers, show no partiality as you hold the faith in our Lord Jesus Christ, the Lord of glory. For if a man wearing a gold ring and fine clothing comes into your assembly, and a poor man in shabby clothing also comes in, and if you pay attention to the one who wears the fine clothing and say, 'You sit here in a good place,' while you say to the poor man, 'You stand over there,' or, 'Sit down at my feet,' have you not then made distinctions among yourselves and become judges with evil thoughts?"
Reflection: Identify one person or group in your community who may feel marginalized. What specific steps can you take this week to empower and include them in the life of your church or community?
Quotes
"These women were helping to support them out of their own means. Now, this is one of those several passages in the Gospels that kind of give us a few of the names of the many women that were disciples of Jesus. And when we total up the named women disciples of Jesus, we get around eight or nine, maybe a few more." [00:50:30] (27 seconds)
"In that day, women were not allowed morally to travel or to walk with any male that was not a blood relative. How would you feel if that were the law today? Because guys are like, listen, I would rather them just go shop on their own, right? That sounded really sexist. Sorry about that." [00:52:19] (26 seconds)
"The Talmud is not very kind to women in its interpretation. And I'm going to show you a couple of things that it says about women. And please remember, I did not say any of these things. Okay, so when you see this, just this is first century, and maybe later, I think Reformed Judaism was a little different now." [00:53:19] (18 seconds)
"And what I love here is that when you start looking at Jesus and his relationships and the way he taught, he held both men and women equally responsible. He held them both to a high standard. Both of them. Both are responsible for eliminating every source of stumbling. But in that day, women were so marginalized, they were not taken seriously at all." [00:56:23] (29 seconds)
"By including these women in his circle of followers, Jesus was modeling something radical. A whole new way here. It's a more inclusive way that flew in the face of those verbose and misogynistic rabbis who had come before him. And this is why the Mary and Martha story, who are also followers of Jesus, and friends, but followers, this is why their story is so important." [00:57:48] (28 seconds)
"Really, what's happening here is Jesus is advocating for the education of women. That is radical for a first century hearer. Okay, and remember, along with that conversation, there was debate, there was rigorous conversation. Radical. And this is something that has continued well into the 20th century." [01:00:13] (29 seconds)
"But in this scene, with Mary and Martha, we see the tenacity of the women who followed Jesus with their whole heart, soul, and mind. They were all in. In fact, Jesus challenged both men and women to the same rigor of discipleship. He said, pick up your cross and follow me. Men, you do that. Women, you don't have to do that. No, he's holding us all to the same rigor of discipleship here." [01:03:01] (35 seconds)
"And when Jesus included them, he gave them a path to a whole new life of meaning and purpose and significance. Now, the texts give us a little glimpse into who these people were, and we're going to look at just maybe three this morning from that Luke 8 passage. But we get an idea of how interesting they were." [01:03:42] (19 seconds)
"Mary Magdalene and these other women, they were the last at the cross and the first at the tomb. In Luke 24, the angel sees Mary, and he's telling them about Jesus being arisen. And the angel says, Remember when He said to you, X, Y, Z? Remember? Which means they were right there with male disciples." [01:10:30] (24 seconds)
"I want us to realize just how upsetting Jesus' view towards women was to the status quo of the day. It was disruptive. It was divisive. But Jesus included them and advocated them because no one else would. And we love that Jesus reaches out to the marginalized. We love that." [01:11:55] (27 seconds)
"They had absolutely no place of status in the kingdom until Jesus. They weren't valued. They faced abuse. They had little opportunity. And despite the stories of those women in Scripture who were leaders like Deborah and prophets like Huldah and Isaiah's daughters, you know, until Jesus, the only keys that any of these religious people would give to a woman would have been the keys to their house, maybe." [01:13:40] (29 seconds)
"There were men and women who were given the keys to the kingdom. You know, just as Jesus broke boundaries to include women as followers and students and missionaries, and as he entrusted Mary with the message of the gospel, and as he commissioned her and the other women and all the other men to go into the world and make disciples and baptize and teach, so today he entrusts you with the same gospel message, with the same task." [01:15:23] (26 seconds)
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