Preacher stressed women's dignity

(This is 3 of 4 articles imagining how a newspaper might have covered the death and resurrection of Jesus.)

During his three-year ministry of healing and preaching, Jesus of Nazareth gained a reputation as a rule-breaker who put people's needs above the Law.

He healed on the Sabbath, scolded religious leaders, and spoke of a God who loved the poor and suffering.

But perhaps none of his behavior was as eye-catching as his attitude toward women. From the beginning of his life to its end on the cross, Jesus seemed to have a special ministry to women, offering them dignity, solace and compassion.

Women's devotion

To many observers, then, it came as no surprise that, at the hour of his death, Jesus was surrounded by women. Spectators say most of his male disciples had fled earlier in terror.

From the earliest days of his ministry in Galilee, Jesus apparently taught women that they possessed a God-given dignity equal to that of men.

Observers say the rabbi remained celibate during his lifetime in order to devote himself fully to his mission, but they add that he enjoyed close friendships with many women who traveled with him and his apostles.

Examples

Stories and rumors abound concerning Jesus' attitude toward women. In one incident, he apparently stopped a hostile crowd from stoning an adulteress by challenging them with the words, "Let he who is without sin cast the first stone."

That action, termed "merciful" by some bystanders, earned him the ire of others.

Although none of the dozen apostles chosen by Jesus to continue his ministry was female, some observers still say he intended women to be more than housekeepers for the male disciples.

"He told my cousin Martha once that she should be more like her sister Mary," an elderly woman named Elizabeth recounted. "Martha is always worried about her house, her meals. Mary, on the other hand, takes the time to sit and listen to the Word of God, to reflect on its meaning for her life."

Concerns

Those who have traveled with Jesus say he showed a special concern for widows and for flagrant sinners.

An example is a woman who was a Samaritan, traditionally bitter enemies of those who consider themselves true Jews. Villagers reported that the carpenter's son from Nazareth stirred up quite a controversy by speaking to a woman at a well in broad daylight.

Cynics say that the reported sightings of the risen Jesus this morning were hallucinations brought on by the emotional hysteria of his female followers. But his followers think otherwise.

"If these women are so emotionally unstable, how is it that they were the only ones with the Lord at the foot of his cross?" asked Jude, a tent-maker. "We think it's symbolic of the Lord's respect and love for our sisters that he appeared to them first."

(4/5/07) [[In-content Ad]]