For one reason or another, we have often been led to believe for centuries now that women are supposed to be on the outside looking in of Christian ministry and the corresponding call to make disciples through the Great Commission. Patriarchal teachings have produced the idea that women are to be on the sidelines, quietly supporting and aiding the men who are in ministry by doing little more than wash their dishes or iron their shirts. While those tasks are important and I regularly say that I do not believe any of the work we do inside the home (or outside of it!) is unimportant or mundane, this nevertheless is not at all the full picture we are given in the Word.
As I have pointed out before, we see at the beginning of time, in the very first chapter of the Bible, that men and women were created as equal image bearers of the same God, and that they were both tasked with the callings and responsibilities of being fruitful, multiplying, taking dominion, and subduing. While the fall and subsequent curse did mar this beautiful design and usher in competition, a tendency of men towards patriarchal ruling, and a temptation of both genders towards a lack of unity, this is not God’s design.
The beautiful thing is that we see proof of this not being God’s design continued on throughout the New Testament, as well, in the lives of both Jesus and Paul. Far from being a men-only ministry, Jesus’ ministry was one that was regularly supported by women, both financially and otherwise. Jesus deeply cared for women, made it clear He wanted them to be students of theology, and esteemed them in very revolutionary ways, given the patriarchal culture of the time.
Paul, meanwhile, also encouraged women to be students of theology. He praised women for their contributions to the early church, had no problem with a woman correcting a man’s false theology, partnered with them in ministry, and even had a female deacon, Phoebe, deliver one of his most well-known letters, the one we now know as the book of Romans.
Truly, the ministries of Jesus and Paul were a far cry from the kind of patriarchal ministries we see examples of in our day. So, today, let’s begin a brief two-part survey of the New Testament Scriptures to see the vast, impactful roles taken on by women and the many ways in which they contributed to the ministries of both Jesus and Paul. Today, our focus will be the involvement of women in the ministry of Christ.
The Involvement of Women in the Ministry of Jesus
Mary and Martha
Many of us are likely very familiar with the story of Mary and Martha found in Luke 10:38-42. What some may not be as aware of, however, is just what an anti-patriarchal story this account truly is,
38 Now it happened as they went that He entered a certain village; and a certain woman named Martha welcomed Him into her house. 39 And she had a sister called Mary, who also sat at Jesus’ feet and heard His word. 40 But Martha was distracted with much serving, and she approached Him and said, “Lord, do You not care that my sister has left me to serve alone? Therefore tell her to help me.”
41 And Jesus answered and said to her, “Martha, Martha, you are worried and troubled about many things. 42 But one thing is needed, and Mary has chosen that good part, which will not be taken away from her.”
There are many interesting things to point out about this passage. For one thing, in the Greco-Roman patriarchal culture of the time, it would have absolutely been expected that the women would have been the ones in the kitchen, taking care of all the cooking, cleaning, and other tasks pertaining to hospitality. In fact, not only was the home and kitchen viewed as the woman’s separate sphere (an idea we get not from the Bible, but from the pagan culture of the time), but women also were not allowed in that day to be formally taught theology. Women were banned from being included in the inner teaching of the synogogue, and they certainly did not learn at the feet of rabbis, right alongside the male students.
But that is precisely what Jesus encouraged Mary to do and what He encouraged Martha to allow her to do. He wanted her at His feet, right alongside the men and in a position of equality with them, in order to learn from Him and hear His words of truth. The first thing we see about women in the ministry of Jesus was that He wanted them there – He wanted them to learn from Him, be with Him, and spend time being involved with what He was doing. This was incredibly counter-cultural – which no doubt explains why women were so quick to desire to support Him in all He was doing.
The woman at the well
I absolutely love the beautiful interaction between Jesus and the woman at the well recorded in John 4. What’s especially of note for our topic today is this portion of that passage,
Just then his disciples arrived, and they were amazed that he was talking with a woman. Yet no one said, “What do you want?” or “Why are you talking with her?”
Then the woman left her water jar, went into town, and told the people, “Come, see a man who told me everything I ever did. Could this be the Messiah?” They left the town and made their way to him. ~vs. 27-30
Now many Samaritans from that town believed in him because of what the woman said when she testified, “He told me everything I ever did.” ~vs. 39
This woman has oftentimes been referred to as the first evangelist because of the truth she proclaimed in her town following her interaction with Christ. This is strikingly noteworthy, particularly considering the common treatment and degradation of women in that time and culture. A woman’s word was not considered to be trustworthy (for example, in court two female witnesses were required for every one male witness). And yet the Lord used this Samaritan woman (whom the Jews would have double despised!) to spread the word about what He had done and who He was, thereby leading many from that town to believe in Him as the Messiah!
The Women of Luke 8
Luke 8:1-3 is a supremely interesting passage :
8 Now it came to pass, afterward, that He went through every city and village, preaching and bringing the glad tidings of the kingdom of God. And the twelve were with Him, 2 and certain women who had been healed of evil spirits and infirmities—Mary called Magdalene, out of whom had come seven demons, 3 and Joanna the wife of Chuza, Herod’s steward, and Susanna, and many others who provided for Him from their substance.
What exactly is so interesting about this passage? It is the very fact that, in addition to the twelve disciples who followed Jesus from town to town throughout his three years of public ministry, many women were in His traveling band of followers, as well — many of whom were most likely wives and mothers and, as such, would have been viewed as needing to be at home 24/7. Instead of legalistically shaming these women into believing that they couldn’t follow after or provide for Him because of their roles, they were actually welcomed into His group of traveling disciples. This is such a fascinating realization! Particularly when we realize that if they were married (as we know at least Joanna was), they may have gone out alone to do this without their families even being able to travel with them. Joanna’s husband, for example, would have had to remain behind as Herod’s steward, which means their children may or may not have been traveling with her, either.
Not only were these women following Jesus, but they were also directly providing financially for His ministry! In fact, it has been said that the vast majority of the money and other resources which funded Jesus’ public ministry came not from men, but from women. Which, if you consider how Jesus tenderly treated women and raised them up as no one else did, it’s no surprise that these women would seek to serve Jesus and meet His needs in these ways!
It is easy for those of us who are conservative Christians to perhaps momentarily balk at the realization that these women may very well have, for a time, left their husbands and children behind in order to go and follow Jesus, serving Him along the way. But this is precisely why it is so crucially important to know the Word of God cover to cover so that we do not fall prey to cultural or even “Christian” concepts as to what constitutes as “Biblical womanhood”! We have to go straight to the source, the Word of God itself, allowing it alone to shape our view of ourselves as women, our roles, and our responsibilities.
The Women on the Road to Calvary
There is a most precious and tender passage of Scripture found in Luke 23:26-31,
Now as they led Him away, they laid hold of a certain man, Simon a Cyrenian, who was coming from the country, and on him they laid the cross that he might bear it after Jesus.
27 And a great multitude of the people followed Him, and women who also mourned and lamented Him. 28 But Jesus, turning to them, said, “Daughters of Jerusalem, do not weep for Me, but weep for yourselves and for your children.29 For indeed the days are coming in which they will say, ‘Blessed are the barren, wombs that never bore, and breasts which never nursed!’ 30 Then they will begin to say to the mountains, “Fall on us!” and to the hills, “Cover us!” ’ 31 For if they do these things in the green wood, what will be done in the dry?”
When this account takes place, Jesus has already been whipped and beaten. He is in great physical pain, with more just right around the corner. And yet, in a culture and time where women were largely ignored and unseen, Jesus stops what He is doing, takes His mind off His own pain and distress, and not only sees and hears, but also directly speaks to, women who are following Him and mourning His upcoming death. In a time when very few other people did, Jesus always took time to see, hear, and speak to the women around Him.
The Women AT Calvary
Not only was it women who were on Jesus’ mind as He journeyed to the cross, but it was also certain women who were some of the only ones who didn’t leave Him when the going really got tough. Matthew 27:54-61 says,
So when the centurion and those with him, who were guarding Jesus, saw the earthquake and the things that had happened, they feared greatly, saying, “Truly this was the Son of God!”
55 And many women who followed Jesus from Galilee, ministering to Him, were there looking on from afar, 56 among whom were Mary Magdalene, Mary the mother of James and Joses, and the mother of Zebedee’s sons.
Jesus Buried in Joseph’s Tomb
57 Now when evening had come, there came a rich man from Arimathea, named Joseph, who himself had also become a disciple of Jesus. 58 This man went to Pilate and asked for the body of Jesus. Then Pilate commanded the body to be given to him. 59 When Joseph had taken the body, he wrapped it in a clean linen cloth, 60 and laid it in his new tomb which he had hewn out of the rock; and he rolled a large stone against the door of the tomb, and departed. 61 And Mary Magdalene was there, and the other Mary, sitting opposite the tomb.
Out of allegiance, love, and service to Christ, a band of women never left His side, from the time His trial was first taking place, all the way to when He was dead and being buried. That alone shows what a part women played in Jesus’ ministry!
The Women at the Tomb
What follows in Matthew 28:1-10 is another most interesting passage – not only does it show how much Jesus’ kind treatment of women led to their loving and revering Him so deeply. It also completely works against the law structure of the day in which women were not to be trusted as witnesses and multiple female witnesses were required to equal the witness of one man. Matthew 28:1-10 says,
Now after the Sabbath, as the first day of the week began to dawn, Mary Magdalene and the other Mary came to see the tomb. 2 And behold, there was a great earthquake; for an angel of the Lord descended from heaven, and came and rolled back the stone from the door, and sat on it. 3 His countenance was like lightning, and his clothing as white as snow. 4 And the guards shook for fear of him, and became like dead men.
5 But the angel answered and said to the women, “Do not be afraid, for I know that you seek Jesus who was crucified. 6 He is not here; for He is risen, as He said. Come, see the place where the Lord lay. 7 And go quickly and tell His disciples that He is risen from the dead, and indeed He is going before you into Galilee; there you will see Him. Behold, I have told you.”
8 So they went out quickly from the tomb with fear and great joy, and ran to bring His disciples word.
The Women Worship the Risen Lord
And as they went to tell His disciples, behold, Jesus met them, saying, “Rejoice!” So they came and held Him by the feet and worshiped Him. 10 Then Jesus said to them, “Do not be afraid. Go and tell My brethren to go to Galilee, and there they will see Me.”
In a culture and time such as this one of ancient Israel, the fact that Jesus would entrust His female disciples with the task of proclaiming the reality of the resurrection to His male disciples is very telling. In a culture that didn’t trust women, Jesus did. In a time that didn’t listen to women, Jesus did and also told others to, as well! In a time in which women were not viewed as partners in life and ministry, that is the very way Jesus viewed them.
If you are a woman reading this today who has been beaten down and discouraged in the past, believing the lie that Christianity denigrates women, I hope this quick little survey of the New Testament Scriptures relating to Jesus’ earthly ministry has encouraged your heart today. God loves you, He values you, and He is more than willing to use you in powerful, life-changing ways in His Kingdom!
Join me later this month for a look at the involvement of women in the ministry of Paul!
