05/23/2024
Jean Morrison
In today’s world, there is so much discussion about women inside and outside The Church. Unfortunately, the voices controlling the narrative on women’s issues are often not those of women. Questions frequently raised from public stages, pulpits, and pews include: “Should women preach in the pulpit?”, “Should women focus on their careers or raising children?” or “What roles should women have in the Church?” How can the Church honor all women, especially when celebrating Mother’s Day?
While society continues to grapple with women’s role and significance, the Bible provides absolute truths reflecting God’s heart for them. Turning to the Word of God can help us better love and respect women within and outside our inner circles, reaching them right where they are.
As the body of Christ, we encounter women who need to know about the saving grace of Jesus and how to grow in faith. These include single mothers, foster moms, adoptive mothers, women who prefer not to have children, those who wish to be mothers but cannot, and those who have suffered from abusive mothers. As Christ followers, we can discover the absolute truth about how God views women, dispelling myths, eliminating confusion, and eradicating biases about His precious daughters.
So, where do we begin? Let’s start with Jesus and how he regarded women.
Throughout Jesus’s ministry, His respect and love for women was evident. One of the most poignant moments occurred while He was dying on the cross. Amidst His pain, horrific physical abuse, and mental anguish, He literally paused to focus on and recognize a woman He loved, respected, and cherished — His mother, Mary. The Apostle John provides an up-close and personal view from the cross at Golgotha. John 19:25-27 says, “Near the cross of Jesus stood his mother, his mother’s sister, Mary the wife of Clopas, and Mary Magdalene. When Jesus saw his mother there and the disciple he loved standing nearby, He said to her, ‘Woman, here is your son,’ and to the disciple, ‘Here is your mother.’ From that time on, this disciple took her into his home.”
During the first century, women were considered subordinate to men and treated as second-class citizens. They lacked fundamental legal rights and had little access to property except through a male relative. However, Jesus refused to treat women as inferior. He gave them his undivided attention. During his ministry, he engaged in a lengthy conversation with a Samaritan woman, defying societal norms, and revealed Himself as the Messiah to her. John 4:25-26 says, “The woman said, ‘I know that Messiah (called Christ) is coming. When He comes, he will explain everything to us.’ Then Jesus declared, ‘I, the one speaking to you—I am He.’” Jesus also ministered to an unclean woman with an issue of blood. Luke 13:12-13 says, “When Jesus saw her, he called her to him and said, ‘Woman, thou art loosed from thine infirmity.’ He laid his hands on her, and immediately she was made straight and glorified God.”
In every interaction, Jesus treated women with respect and compassion. Notably, Jesus also accepted women in His inner circle alongside the twelve disciples. Several women, including Mary Magdalene, traveled with Him and financially supported His ministry.
Jesus’ love and treatment of women should inspire us to do the same, especially within the body of Christ. On Mother’s Day, churches across America take time to celebrate women. We must remember to acknowledge women who are biological mothers as well as those who don’t fit the traditional definition but are divine mothers appointed by God to fill this vital role.
In today’s corrupt society, we need more divine mothers — those who believe in Christ and leave an everlasting legacy of love. Divine motherhood loves like Jesus and inspires others to do the same. Therefore, our discussions about women and their roles should focus on this. Let’s honor all women from various backgrounds who reflect Christ. Whether called to serve God as CEOs in corporate America, raise their children at home, be foster moms to kids in a broken system, or serve as “Aunties” to neighborhood children, each role is valuable in the eyes of God and should be recognized throughout The Church and in society.
Here’s our challenge as the body of Christ. Jesus loved, recognized, and respected all women, and we should too, and not just on Mother’s Day.
Click below to watch Lesli Corbin's message titled, The Absolute Truth About Motherhood.
