When I was a freshman in high school, my parents heard about a national ministry seeking to plant chapters in local public high schools, and they invited the leader to our home. At one point, our guest excused me from the table and said he wanted to talk to my parents alone. I did what any fifteen-year-old girl would do: I went around the wall and listened from the other side.

“I think you have all the ingredients here to start a great club,” he began. “But here’s where I see a problem. We don’t start with freshman girls; they don’t hold the clout in the school ecosystem to get it started on the right foot. Do you know any other families that have older students?”

God bless him. He had a winning formula and didn’t want to deviate from it. But my dad wouldn’t hear of it. “Just wait a minute,” he said, his voice rising. “Don’t ever underestimate my freshman daughter.”

That story in my life is more than three decades old, and my dad has long since passed, but I can still tell you what I was wearing and where I was standing when I heard those words. They landed in a tender place, where I’ve guarded them ever since. “Timely advice is lovely, like golden apples in a silver basket” (Proverbs 25:11). When someone affirms you with spiritual authority, it moves you.

Jesus recognized the dignity of women, too. In situations that, by ritual law, demanded judgment, like the woman caught in adultery (John 8:3–11), He saw her as deserving compassion.

After Jesus was touched and anointed by a woman who was known as a sinner, we hear the expected reaction from Simon, His host. This prominent religious leader said, “If this man were a prophet, He would know what kind of woman is touching Him. She’s a sinner!” (Luke 7:39).

Jesus told the woman her sins were forgiven but then also used her actions—and the love that prompted them—to teach His offended host.

Jesus’ question to him was pointed. “Do you see this woman?” (Luke 7:44).

We can only guess why Simon was afraid. Why are some people afraid of women? What is it about our mystery? Our beauty? Our Eve-reputation of having wily ways? I’m not sure what was happening with Simon, but it’s often fear that leads to judgment.

Jesus rose above all that and regularly conversed with women. Martha and Mary are two examples. Mary is described as one who “sat at the Lord’s feet, listening to what He taught” (Luke 10:39).

To sit at the feet of a rabbi meant the person was His student. When men and women minister together, it’s as the kingdom was designed. The default button of the earth is to rule or control the other. But in another moment, Jesus stretched out His hand toward His disciples and said, “Look, these are My mother and My brothers. Anyone who does the will of My Father in heaven is My brother and sister and mother” (Matthew 12:49-50).

His use of both masculine and feminine words indicates some of His disciples were women.

Or consider that He first revealed Himself as resurrected to women. It’s not that He revealed Himself to women over men or instead of men. It’s that He included women in the most important moment in history: He is risen.

Following Jesus’ example, we can be inclusive without being divisive. We can be biblically sound and not political.

Jesus revealed Himself first to women, and we know He did nothing by accident. The same Jesus who saw and honored women then sees us today, fully known, deeply loved, and called to carry His story into our world.

Adapted from Warrior of Eden © 2024 Beth Guckenberger. Used by permission of David C Cook. May not be further reproduced. All rights reserved.

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