WOMEN AS CHRIST'S DISCIPLES
by Boyd Luter and Kathy McReynolds
11 chapters on women from the New Testament. Each demonstrates strong and courageous faith who show a pattern of discipleship for women today.
PART 1: WOMEN DISCIPLES DURING CHRIST'S MINISTRY
Mary: Mother, Fellow Sufferer, Faithful Disciple
In the first snapshot of women we look at Mary the mother of Jesus. Most think of Mary in terms of her visit to Elizabeth and consider her as someone with a very deep faith. But what about when Jesus was born - in the manger and then when the Magi came to visit? Later she visited the temple and met Anna and Simeon. As a child of 12 years of age Mary and Joseph found Jesus in the temple and in her anxiety and worry, Mary started to learn and grow as a disciple. We see her again at the wedding in Cana and again she had to learn to let her son go from under her authority and in doing so she was growing in her faith. This was not an easy path for Mary - remember when she arrived with other family members at a house where Jesus was teaching and Jesus refused to come put to meet them. At this point she realised that she had to become a member of his eternal family now. Then at the cross Mary was placed in John's care - not as his mother but as a disciple. Mary was there in the upper room waiting for the Holy Spirit in Acts chapter 1.
What does Mary teach us? Humility, obedience, of asking questions and seeking answers. She has taught us that ordinary women can make extraordinary contributions to God's kingdom. Her life speaks volumes about the costs and rewards of discipleship.
As I read the storyline of Mary again and was reminded that she was present in the Upper Room when the Holy Spirit came I thought back to Sunday night and our sermon on being witnesses until Jesus returns. Mary needed to know God personally. Yes she was Jesus' mother. She was a witness of his life and death but to understand more and to tell others about faith in Christ, she needed the help of the Holy Spirit. She became a witness of Jesus and for God. We too are called to be witnesses of all Jesus has done for us and continues to do in our lives. We need to know more about God and that is only possible as we read God's word the Bible. Jesus has promised to come again but until then we can be his witnesses today.
Mary, the mother of Jesus. Matthew traces the Messiah's genealogy through Abraham while Luke goes back further to Adam. Matthew contains Joseph's genealogy and Luke traces Mary's. Joseph's genealogy probably shows Christ's royal and legal right to the throne of David while Mary's genealogy, since it goes all the way back to Adam possibly emphasises Christ's connection to the entire human race.
Mary had royal blood flowing through her veins. She was well aware that someday the Messiah himself, the Saviour of Israel would come through a member of her own family line.
Her lineage made her a rightful candidate to bear God's Son but it was her godly character that ultimately qualified her to be his mother.
Sometimes the obvious is actually overlooked!
Two contrasting people - Zechariah and Mary. One an old man the other a young girl.
Zechariah - lived in Jerusalem, a priest whose knowledge of divine things had been seasoned with years.
Mary - lived in Nazareth, a small village removed both in distance and in spirit from Jerusalem. Her knowledge of God has been fostered by deep insight into the scriptures.
Zechariah doubted but Mary believed.
The old era, long past with the close of the Old Testament receives its final reprise with the incredulity of a man.
The new era, about to be proclaimed in the gospel of Jesus Christ begins with the faith of a woman.
This is speaking volumes to me today (as a woman) - a woman chosen by God but also prepared by God for this great event (her knowledge of scriptures). The old age is gone and the new has come - what a word for today's world particularly when we see so many changes in how the word of God is being presented in our church and so many young people coming into a personal relationship with Christ having a zeal for God's word.
Something that I have read but never noticed before - verse 41 of Luke 1 shows that Elisabeth was filled with the Holy Ghost. And it was when Mary came to visit her. She then went on to validate Mary's faith praising her for believing all that God said to her.
Do we not need something similar today? Older women helping younger people in the faith and showing the way forward.
One evidence of Mary's faith is seen in her use of Old Testament themes and concepts, reminiscent of Hannah's song in 1 Samuel 2. Her song in Luke 1 reveals that she was a learner before she became a disciple of Christ. She was a follower of God in the way of the Old Covenant. She continued to grow and learn especially when it came to being the mother and disciple of Jesus.
What an encouragement and model for us - are we growing in our faith with Christ?
Twice we read of Jesus being brought to the temple by his parents - once when he was 8 days old and the other at 12 years of age.
The prophecy by Simeon in the temple at 8 days old included words to Mary. We don't know how she reacted but imagine being told a sword would pierce her soul too. Jesus' life and mission would fill her future with intense pain and suffering, both as a mother and as a disciple. This was Mary's double-edged sword.
In the temple when they found Jesus after 3 days of searching, Mary questioned why he had treated them this way. His reply of being about about his Father's business resulted in both his father and mother not really understanding.
Mary had to learn to follow Jesus as a disciple rather than processing and directing him as his mother.
Twice we read of her thinking about everything very deeply - when the shepherds visited them at Jesus' birth and later as he grew in the home.
A lesson is clear in these verses - we all need to constantly be seeking to know God more.
Would the miracle of changing water into wine in John's gospel ever have taken place if Mary hadn't prompted him?
This incident was Jesus' first sign and his disciples (including Mary) put their faith in him as a result. Mary demonstrated that she really believed in Jesus' ability and it was a sign of her growth as a disciple. Jesus was no longer under her authority which meant Mary could grow in her faith as his disciple.
But there was an incident recorded in Mark's gospel which showed their relationship had changed. It is in Mark chapter 3. Jesus was at the height of his ministry when Mary and Jesus' brothers came to take him home. They believed he was out of his mind. The Pharisees were slandering Jesus, that he had an evil spirit in him. But the crowd was so great they couldn't get into the house to talk to him. When the people inside told Jesus they had arrived he refused to come out. Mary returned home and I am sure she was anxious and worried. But she had to learn that their relationship had changed. What a huge step in her growth as a disciple.
I have always loved the story of Jesus taking care of his mother as he was on the cross. He asked John to care for her not as a mother but as a disciple. Mary stayed with John and the other disciples. She was there in the Upper Room praying and waiting for the Holy Spirit in Acts 1. She was filled with the Holy Spirit and given power to testify of Jesus' resurrection.
Mary teaches us obedience, humility, to ask questions and seek answers. An ordinary woman who made a valuable contribution to God's kingdom.
We should see her not just as Jesus' mother but as a faithful and devout learner. We first meet her as a youthful Old Covenant believer and we leave her as a veteran disciple of Christ, praying and waiting for the Holy Spirit in the Upper Room. Her life speaks volumes about the cost and rewards of discipleship.
As I have read about Mary using Boyd Luter's book Women as Christ's Disciples my perception has changed. She has been put on a pedestal as the mother of Jesus but there is so much more, oh so much more to learn about Mary as a disciple of Jesus. I have learned so much about how to be a disciple of Jesus as a woman. To ask questions about things I don't understand and find answers from God's word. To be more reliant on God working out the difficult times in my life, knowing he is ultimately he is in control. To depend on God's Holy Spirit to be bold in my witness for him.
These couple of paragraphs stopped me short ...
Some female disciples today grew up in homes where the family went to church whenever the door was open out of a sense of compulsion. Such consistent "churchianity" breeds contempt in children at least as often as it does true commitment. In fact according to Jesus' definition of true worship as taking place "in spirit and truth" (John 4 verses 23 and 24) any half hearted attendance is, at best, half-baked worship.
It takes an extrordinary person with extraordinary commitment to be involved in worship constantly without getting to where one simply goes through the motions or runs down one's worship batteries, so to speak.
On reflection I think these words are quite true. I have personally watched both sides if the coin and would agreed with what us written. A person who comes to faith in Christ without any background in church has a totally different approach to the gospel than someone who has grown up in church and has always been in church.
Anna: Disciples with Graying Hair
Have you ever heard the expression "being in the right place at the right time?" That could have been written over the life of Anna the prophetess. She was there when Jesus was presented in the temple at 8 days. For all her life she had waited for this moment. What dedication and commitment!
But you know we can be like Anna be near Jesus. He is constantly listening and watching out for us.
Mary Magdalene: From Slave to Servant
The story of Mary Magdalene in the bible is remarkable. She teaches us that our past, no matter how dark it was, need not hinder us on the path to discipleship. We may never be able to forget our past, but we can, like Mary Magdalene, overcome it and serve Christ.
Her name Magdalene represents the place she came from - a little village on the shore of Galilee. This place was not Jewish but Gentile and the rabbis attributed its fall to immorality. Maybe Mary participated in demonic activity, we don't know but 7 demons were cast out of her. She must have been actively involved with the powers of darkness to some degree. It must have been obvious to those around her that something was wrong with her. Her release was life-changing and dramatic. Her gratitude was seen in her actions.
She was one of the women who travelled with and supported Jesus financially and practically. In those days this was seen as scandalous. It was unheard of for women to be sitting listening to Jesus' teaching.
How Jesus treated these women is unique. They were the first to witness Jesus' resurrection. Such loyalty and devotion! But also such commitment.
Mary Magdalene was considered to be the leader of the women who followed Jesus. Her witness of Jesus' resurrection has a special place in salvation history and in the outworking of the extraordinary events of the gospel story.
Mary Magdalene's story is amazing when you see what happened at the tomb. She is weeping when Jesus comes beside her and calls her by her name. She immediately recognises him and believes it is him. She later simply says "I have seen the Lord". This passage shows she is a true disciple. She preaches the resurrection to the disciples. But Jesus sent her first before he sent them.
Think of where she had come from. She was the one who was possessed by 7 demons. She was enslaved to Satan and held captive to evil. Her life was characterised by darkness and gloom.
She became a faithful and loyal disciple of Jesus. She moved from a slave of darkness to a servant of the Light. She teaches that our past need not hinder us on the path to discipleship. As Jesus released her from bondage so he releases us to freely serve him.
She also teaches us that being a faithful witness involves more than a mere verbal proclamation. It is a life characterised by service and devotion to the Master.
Mary and Martha: Through the Thick and Thin of Life
The story of Mary and Martha on the death of their brother Lazarus is one which brings great comfort because it teaches that God knows and understands our sorrow. But what we see in the individual conversations between Jesus and Mary and Martha is honesty - they openly admitted their feelings - and God accepted them. They displayed a deep trust. It was risky but it paid off. Jesus' willingness to accept them as they were brought them closer together in the time ahead.
Surely this teaches that we can trust God with our circumstances. We can allow him to know who we really are. He knows all about us. He can be trusted with our feelings. If we take the risk we will find compassion and love from a Saviour waiting to embrace us. Honesty will lead to a deeper more secure relationship with him.
Jesus wept with Mary and Martha. And he will weep with us today.
The Samaritan Woman: Unacceptable yet Astute
As I read this book I am continually going back to scripture just to read the original stories. Did you know that the story of the Samaritan women starts off with a reference to discipleship? Jesus' own disciples were baptising more disciples than John at the start of chapter 4.
Jesus had to go through Samaria. Many Jews would not make this journey. This woman came alone to the well - probably because she was not liked by the other women. She came for water and found what she really needed.
So often we long for what we think we need but God gives us so much more. Sometimes we are not willing to receive until the destitute part of our heart is revealed.
Jesus uncovered a very bright woman. She entered in to a deep theological conversation. She was knowledgeable about her own religion and was interested in hearing Jesus' religious point of view. She was a woman who thought about what she was told.
When she went to her own townspeople we see that she was quite open in her attitude to her past and present and also to the perception of Jesus. She had ventured into the area of faith, willing to break with her own tradition but not rushing headlong and wide-eyed into something she did not understand.
She was also a risk taker. She was willing to consider the possibility that Jesus was the Christ. She was a thinking disciple but not afraid to take a step of faith. When we leave her we find she is a discerning disciple, drawing people to Jesus, the source of living water. As his disciple she became a fruitful proclaimer of the truth.
Slow to believe at first but her testimony still bore fruit and her witness stood firm.
PART 2: WOMEN DISCIPLES IN THE EARLY CHURCH
Tabitha/Dorcas: A Model Disciple
Acts 9 verses 36 to 43 tells the story of a woman, a disciple, called Tabitha or Dorcas. It is the only direct reference to a woman as a disciple in the New Testament. And she lived in Joppa - not Jerusalem. Joppa was not a major city in the story of the early church in Acts. Her claim to fame? She was brought back to life by Peter. There are only 5 people named in Acts as disciples of Christ - Ananias, Paul, Dorcas, Timothy and Mnason. A role model for discipleship.
What was happening in the early church at this point? Verse 31 - it had expanded throughout all Judea, Galilee and Samaria. Peter was venturing further from Jerusalem, namely to Lydda, Joppa and Caesarea. This was Gentile territory. Notice 3 incidents involving 3 people - Aeneas who was sick of the palsy and raised to life and Dorcas and Cornelius in chapter 10. Aeneas and Cornelius were not yet believers but Dorcas was. As a result of Aeneas' healing many turned to the Lord. Cornelius' conversion is long and detailed.
What was special about Dorcas? She was "full of good works and gave financially to those in need." These words "full of" are also used of Stephen the first martyr and later Barnabas. Both described as full of faith and the Holy Spirit. Stephen and Barnabas gave financially to believers. So Dorcas was similar to them. But all 3 also saw many people believing in God as a result of their ministry.
For Dorcas it was a lifestyle choice to give to those in need. But these good deeds did not save her. Good works do not save, it is grace that saves. Dorcas lived a lifestyle of good works day after day in the real world. This made her a valuable disciple in the church at Joppa. Her death left a huge hole in the church's wider ministry, specifically to widows.
Would people miss you if you were gone?
When Dorcas died in Acts 9 the people honoured her in such a personal and intimate way. She was washed and laid in an upper chamber. Normally they would have wrapped her in spices just as they did with Jesus. But instead of burying her straight away they sent for Peter. By the time he arrived Dorcas had been dead for at least a day. He raised her back to life. The story reminds us of the raising of the widow's son by Jesus in Luke 7. Notice that it was Luke who recorded both incidents.
Before Peter could do anything though he was first shown the fruit of Dorcas' labours. The widows Dorcas had helped showed Peter the clothes she had made for them. In their eyes she was worthy to be raised to life again.
We see the power of God in raising her to life but also the compassionate grace displayed in bringing her back to minister to the widows. She would continue her previous pattern of godly generosity.
The result of her resurrection - many believed in the Lord. The gospel spread as a result of her death. What an example of unselfish service. Surely a motivation for all of us in this day when many expect recognition and jealousy exists over individuals and their roles exists.
15 posts so far on this book Women as Christ's Disciples by Boyd Luter and Kathy McReynolds. I am not promoting feminism but rather looking at how God used women in the bible to spread his gospel. And he continues to do that today through individual women sitting in your church pew.
Having just read about Dorcas it struck me that this was a women who quietly ministered to widows doing what only she knew best, making clothes. Not preaching or teaching but just practically helping other individuals. Our calling by God can be something as simple but we are disciples and demonstrating God's message in doing so. What a role model she is. So don't think what you do is not important. These women didn't want to lose Dorcas and God extended her time on earth to continue her work. What is God calling you to do for him today? Have you been putting it off thinking it is insignificant, unimportant?
Talking over the story with my husband and he quoted this song he was taught many years ago so I looked it up to see if it was true! It would be interesting to know if anyone else remembers it - apparently it was written as a children's action song in 1955 ...
Shamgar had an Ox-goad,
David had a sling,
Dorcas had a needle,
Rahab had some string,
Samson had a jawbone,
Aaron had a rod,
Mary had some ointment
And they all were used of God.
Priscilla: Ready and Willing to Serve
Something I like to do when reading a story, any story, is put myself in the shoes of the people's lives. It is the same when you come to read the bible. My next woman in this book is Priscilla. She is always introduced alongside her husband Aquila. The interesting thing about Priscilla is that she worked alongside her husband in their own business - tent making. It is quite possible that she came from Rome and some believe from a wealthy family. After she and Aquila married the Emperor Claudius ordered that all the Jews leave Rome. Priscilla and Aquila likely heard the gospel and became Christians while living in Rome.
They decided to go to Corinth and it was there they met the apostle Paul, also a tent maker. Together thy provided fellowship and a means of support to Paul for a total of 18 months. They were very much behind the scenes workers.
When you think of Corinth in the times they lived there you realise it was not easy to be a Christian. The whole city was given over to religiosity. The worship of their gods was often expressed through grotesque sexual immorality and perversity captialising on natural human inclination. It attracted a lot of people to Corinth as a result. But after 18 months of witness and service many people came to faith in Christ. It was a fruitful but trying time for all 3 and their friendship grew as a result.
When Paul decided to move on so did Aquila and Priscilla - to Ephesus. The bible seems to say they operated in ministry apart from Paul from this time on. Paul eventually sailed to Syria but they stayed in Ephesus.
The interesting thing is that in Acts 18 verse 18 Aquila and Priscilla's names are suddenly reversed. This is purposeful. Priscilla is the more important figure. She was an educated, articulate disciple who came to the forefront of their ministry as a gifted teacher. Yet she still recognised her husband's authority and willingly served side-by-side with him in the ministry. She used her gifts in a biblically appropriate manner and was a benefit to many in the cause of Christ.
Priscilla and Aquila were 2 of Paul's closest and most reliable workers. It is likely they were involved in a wide range of activities from providing hospitality for Paul and Apollos to church planting, teaching and preaching. In Romans 16 Paul reveals his great admiration for them, not only for what they did for him but also for the way they benefited many Gentile churches. They "risked their lives" for Paul in Ephesus when a riot took place as a result of preaching the gospel.
They both diligently taught the word of God and built up the church in Ephesus (meeting in their own home). Aquila was a strong but quiet, gifted Christian leader and Priscilla was an intelligent, articulate teacher. Two different personalities and 2 different roles but together they represent a balanced, harmonious marriage relationship.
Priscilla is a marvellous example of a female disciple who knew the delicate balance between serving God's people through strong leadership skills and standing beside her husband as a supportive wife.
What a model of a women who was ready and willing to serve. She was not afraid to exercise her spiritual gifts and as a result many people were blessed and edified by her ministry.
She showed -
the gift of teaching and hospitality
the gift of mercy (risking her life for Paul)
the gift of service to the church
the gift of leadership
Priscilla teaches us that sometimes a gift is not really a gift until it is given away, especially when it comes to the work of the ministry. She shows us the value of being others-oriented and in this way she will always be gratefully remembered.
Phoebe
Priscilla
Mary
Tryphaena
Tryphosa
Persis
Rufus's mother
Julia
Nereus's sister
Junia
Phoebe and Priscilla are the first 2 named in the chapter. What is surprising is the fact that Phoebe was not a member of the church in Rome. Also Paul commends her. She is the only woman in the New Testament to whom the Greek term diakonos meaning servant, minister or deacon is specifically applied. She almost certainly delivered Paul's letter to the Roman church. Paul wanted her to be appreciated for what she has done in the past but also to be treated right when she arrived in Rome and to receive the necessary help.
What we can learn from Phoebe is she embodied Christ's demeanour for a disciple-leader - Luke 22 verse 26.
They are special people to Paul, even though they seem to be ordinary disciples going about their lives in a tranquil, quiet, godly and dignified manner.
It is not necessary to be a splashy disciple to be a special disciple. It is obviously not as noticeable to other people when a disciple is serving behind the scenes but it is equally noteworthy before the Lord.
No comments:
Post a Comment