Daughter of God, Will You Follow Jesus?
By Jan Timmerman, International Women’s Ministries Coordinator, Cleveland, TN
William Barclay said this about women in the time of Christ, “In Palestine the place of women was low. In the Jewish morning prayer, a man thanks God that He has not made him a Gentile, a slave or a woman.” Thank God, times have changed! But how did this change come about? I believe because of the singular character and life of our “master disciple,” Jesus Christ.
Jesus radically reshaped the role of women in the arena of discipleship. Up to the time of Christ, women were not allowed to be instructed in spiritual matters, nor were they counted as leaders in the synagogues. However, the coming of Jesus changed all of that. In the Gospels, women are seen as vital components of His ministry team.
After this, Jesus traveled about from one town and village to another, proclaiming the good news of the kingdom of God. The Twelve were with him, and also some women who had been cured of evil spirits and diseases . . . (Luke 8:1, 2, NIV).
Throughout the New Testament, the portrait of women is highly positive and affirming. In it you will find Mary and Elizabeth telling their story of how they bowed to the leading of the angelic call to be God’s handmaidens for the introduction of the Messiah into the world. In the New Testament, you will find the prophetic ministries of Anna (Luke 2:36) and the daughters of Phillip (Acts 21:9). You will also read about Mary sitting at the feet of Jesus (the classic picture of a disciple) listening to His teaching. In the Gospel of John, we read of Jesus having a deep spiritual conversation with a woman at a well, which was unheard of in His time (John 4:1). Her conversion to Christ led her to win the audience of her entire town to the message of Christ.
Since discipleship, putting it plain and simple, is to be a follower of Christ, then I believe that women who loved and followed Jesus are some of the best examples to be emulated. They followed Him in His preaching ministry supporting Him all the way to the cross, when most of the Twelve had deserted Him (Matthew 27:55, 56). Women followed Him to the tomb (Matthew 27:61). They followed Him, even to the greatest moment of all, His resurrection (Matthew 28:1-10). If you are a young lady reading this article now, think about the wonderful opportunity Jesus gives to women today. Draw close to Him and follow Him so that you can lead others to Him.
The discipleship of women does not end at the Resurrection. We find the women following Jesus into the Upper Room, with the other disciples, waiting for Him to send the Holy Spirit (Acts 1:14). Ten days later, on that wonderful “Day of Empowerment,” we see them leaving the Upper Room, declaring the wonders of God with the miraculous gift of a new spiritual language. Peter said to the awe-struck audience:
In the last days, God says, I will pour out my Spirit on all people. Your sons and daughters will prophesy, your young men will see visions, your old men will dream dreams. Even on my servants, both men and women, I will pour out my Spirit in those days, and they will prophesy (Acts 2:17, 18, NIV).
Precious women and daughters of God, Jesus wants to anoint you to be His vessels of honor to bring His message of hope and healing to the generation He has assigned to you!
Will You Follow Him?
