Women and Jesus

[BetheButterfly]

Hello

 

As a woman, it really interests me studying how Jesus interacted with women. I just finished reading in a thread about how fundamentalists Christians tend(ed) to be sexist against women, and I sadly agree that this was the case for a long time. However, I do not believe that Jesus taught sexism against women, but rather that Jesus showed love, care, and respect to the women in his life, and continues to do so today. (Christians believe that God rose Jesus from the dead on the third day, that Jesus is now in Heaven at the right hand of God, and that he will come back someday, but right now his spirit - the Holy Spirit - leads his followers.)

 

So, if you have any questions, please feel free to ask. If you have mean/insulting comments, please kindly remember that people in many Western countries have the freedom of religion, and that you as well have the freedom to believe or not believe, and please be respectful, kind, and tolerant of people who believe differently than you. Thank you.

 

I hope to continue this thread in stages, because it takes time to write about the women that Jesus interacted with in his ministry.

 

1. Jesus' mother Mary - Not much information was recorded about Jesus' childhood after Jesus' birth, except for one incident that happened when he was twelve years old. Mary, obviously loved her son very much and treasured the time with him, however.

 

Luke 2 (NIV) - I boldened the verses.

"51 Then he went down to Nazareth with them and was obedient to them. But his mother treasured all these things in her heart. 52 And Jesus grew in wisdom and stature, and in favor with God and man."

 

The first miracle Jesus did was at the request of his Mom. To me I always thought, wow Mary knew that her son was special and did not doubt at all his abilities to do extraordinary things!

 

John 2 (NIV) - I boldened some.

 

"1 On the third day a wedding took place at Cana in Galilee. Jesus’ mother was there, 2 and Jesus and his disciples had also been invited to the wedding. 3 When the wine was gone, Jesus’ mother said to him, “They have no more wine.” 4 “Woman,[The Greek for Woman does not denote any disrespect.] why do you involve me?” Jesus replied. “My hour has not yet come.”

5 His mother said to the servants, “Do whatever he tells you.”

6 Nearby stood six stone water jars, the kind used by the Jews for ceremonial washing, each holding from twenty to thirty gallons.[b]

7 Jesus said to the servants, “Fill the jars with water”; so they filled them to the brim.

8 Then he told them, “Now draw some out and take it to the master of the banquet.”

They did so, 9 and the master of the banquet tasted the water that had been turned into wine. He did not realize where it had come from, though the servants who had drawn the water knew. Then he called the bridegroom aside 10 and said, “Everyone brings out the choice wine first and then the cheaper wine after the guests have had too much to drink; but you have saved the best till now.”

11 What Jesus did here in Cana of Galilee was the first of the signs through which he revealed his glory; and his disciples believed in him.

12 After this he went down to Capernaum with his mother and brothers and his disciples. There they stayed for a few days."

 

Later on, when Jesus was suffering on the cross, Jesus showed his love for his mother Mary by giving his disciple John the responsibility of taking care of her. Scholars think that Joseph, the husband of Mary, had already died and that as Jesus was the firstborn, that in the culture, the firstborn son had the responsibility to take care of his mother financially.

 

John 19 (NIV) - I boldened some.

 

" 25 Near the cross of Jesus stood his mother, his mother’s sister, Mary the wife of Clopas, and Mary Magdalene. 26 When Jesus saw his mother there, and the disciple whom he loved standing nearby, he said to her, “Woman,[The Greek for Woman does not denote any disrespect.] here is your son,” 27 and to the disciple, “Here is your mother.” From that time on, this disciple took her into his home."

2. Peter's mother-in-law - Peter is one of the disciples of Jesus who Jesus chose to be the leader of the 12 apostles. Jesus had called her son-in-law to follow him, and it is interesting that although Peter left his fisherman job in order to follow Jesus, the followers of Jesus and their families all worked together to take care of each other. Even though Jesus did not call women to be of the 12 apostles, they were by no means excluded from following him and from helping in his ministry.

 

Matthew 8 (NIV) - I boldened some.

 

"14 When Jesus came into Peter’s house, he saw Peter’s mother-in-law lying in bed with a fever. 15 He touched her hand and the fever left her, and she got up and began to wait on him. 16 When evening came, many who were demon-possessed were brought to him, and he drove out the spirits with a word and healed all the sick. 17 This was to fulfill what was spoken through the prophet Isaiah:

“He took up our infirmities

and bore our diseases.”[Isaiah 53:4 (see Septuagint)]"

 

 

3. The woman with a bleeding problem - Based on the commands God gave specifically to the children of Israel through Moses, a woman's bleeding was an "unclean" issue. At that time, the people did not have nice showers where they can wash everyday, and the "uncleanness" issue as well as the commands to wash were given by God to help the children of Israel in guarding their health and with the prevent the spreading of diseases. So, this woman was not considered clean and could not legally touch a "clean" person. However, Jesus does not scold her or shun her. Rather, he calls her "Daughter" and through her faith in his ability, heals her! This is also accounted in Matthew and Mark, but Luke, who was a physician, is more thorough in his account:

 

 

Luke 8 (NIV) - I boldened some.

 

 

" As Jesus was on his way, the crowds almost crushed him. 43 And a woman was there who had been subject to bleeding for twelve years,[Many manuscripts years, and she had spent all she had on doctors] but no one could heal her. 44 She came up behind him and touched the edge of his cloak, and immediately her bleeding stopped.

45 “Who touched me?” Jesus asked.

When they all denied it, Peter said, “Master, the people are crowding and pressing against you.”

46 But Jesus said, “Someone touched me; I know that power has gone out from me.”

47 Then the woman, seeing that she could not go unnoticed, came trembling and fell at his feet. In the presence of all the people, she told why she had touched him and how she had been instantly healed. 48 Then he said to her, “Daughter, your faith has healed you. Go in peace.”

 

4. The dead girl - Right after healing the older woman, Jesus raised a young girl to life. Jesus healed both men and woman, boys and girls indiscriminately. Again in the commands God gave to the children of Israel though Moses, a dead body was unclean and a person who touched a dead body was unclean. However, Jesus did not let any "uncleanness" get in the way of bringing a female child's soul/spirit back to her body.

 

 

 

Luke 8 (NIV) - I boldened some.

 

 

"49 While Jesus was still speaking, someone came from the house of Jairus, the synagogue leader. “Your daughter is dead,” he said. “Don’t bother the teacher anymore.”

50 Hearing this, Jesus said to Jairus, “Don’t be afraid; just believe, and she will be healed.”

51 When he arrived at the house of Jairus, he did not let anyone go in with him except Peter, John and James, and the child’s father and mother. 52 Meanwhile, all the people were wailing and mourning for her. “Stop wailing,” Jesus said. “She is not dead but asleep.”

53 They laughed at him, knowing that she was dead. 54 But he took her by the hand and said, “My child, get up!” 55 Her spirit returned, and at once she stood up. Then Jesus told them to give her something to eat. 56 Her parents were astonished, but he ordered them not to tell anyone what had happened."

 

 

5. The Samaritan woman at the well - please keep in mind that in Jewish culture at that time, most Jewish people did not have a high regard for Samaritans, and most Jewish men did not bother to speak to a Samaritan woman at that. However, Jesus broke cultural traditions in many ways, including talking with and showing care and concern to a woman who was not specifically of his ethnicity.

 

 

John 4 (NIV) - I boldened some.

 

 

"4 Now he had to go through Samaria. 5 So he came to a town in Samaria called Sychar, near the plot of ground Jacob had given to his son Joseph. 6 Jacob’s well was there, and Jesus, tired as he was from the journey, sat down by the well. It was about noon.

7 When a Samaritan woman came to draw water, Jesus said to her, “Will you give me a drink?” 8 (His disciples had gone into the town to buy food.)

9 The Samaritan woman said to him, “You are a Jew and I am a Samaritan woman. How can you ask me for a drink?” (For Jews do not associate with Samaritans.[Or do not use dishes Samaritans have used])

10 Jesus answered her, “If you knew the gift of God and who it is that asks you for a drink, you would have asked him and he would have given you living water.”

11 “Sir,” the woman said, “you have nothing to draw with and the well is deep. Where can you get this living water? 12 Are you greater than our father Jacob, who gave us the well and drank from it himself, as did also his sons and his livestock?”

13 Jesus answered, “Everyone who drinks this water will be thirsty again, 14 but whoever drinks the water I give them will never thirst. Indeed, the water I give them will become in them a spring of water welling up to eternal life.”

15 The woman said to him, “Sir, give me this water so that I won’t get thirsty and have to keep coming here to draw water.”

16 He told her, “Go, call your husband and come back.”

17 “I have no husband,” she replied.

Jesus said to her, “You are right when you say you have no husband. 18 The fact is, you have had five husbands, and the man you now have is not your husband. What you have just said is quite true.”

19 “Sir,” the woman said, “I can see that you are a prophet. 20 Our ancestors worshiped on this mountain, but you Jews claim that the place where we must worship is in Jerusalem.”

21 “Woman,” Jesus replied, “believe me, a time is coming when you will worship the Father neither on this mountain nor in Jerusalem. 22 You Samaritans worship what you do not know; we worship what we do know, for salvation is from the Jews. 23 Yet a time is coming and has now come when the true worshipers will worship the Father in the Spirit and in truth, for they are the kind of worshipers the Father seeks. 24 God is spirit, and his worshipers must worship in the Spirit and in truth.”

25 The woman said, “I know that Messiah” (called Christ) “is coming. When he comes, he will explain everything to us.”

26 Then Jesus declared, “I, the one speaking to you—I am he.”

The Disciples Rejoin Jesus

 

27 Just then his disciples returned and were surprised to find him talking with a woman. But no one asked, “What do you want?” or “Why are you talking with her?” 28 Then, leaving her water jar, the woman went back to the town and said to the people, 29 “Come, see a man who told me everything I ever did. Could this be the Messiah?” 30 They came out of the town and made their way toward him."

 

 

 

6. The Canaanite woman - Now, this account is used by some people to claim that Jesus was insulting her or did not care for her. However, I disagree because I see the verbal exchange between her and Jesus to be a test, where both passed with flying colors. Please consider the following thoughts as you read below:

 

a.) This Canaanite women had knowledge as to what Jewish people believed concerning the "Son of David." It is possible that she was a woman of education and influence and interacted with Jewish merchants. It is possible that she also had a pride issue that her faith in what Jesus could do overcame through this short interaction. She is obviously intelligent, witty, noble, and loved her daughter more than her pride.

 

b.) Jesus did not deny her request, but first tested her faith, and after she passed the "test", praised her and fulfilled her request.

 

 

 

Matthew 15 (NIV) - I boldened some.

 

 

"21 Leaving that place, Jesus withdrew to the region of Tyre and Sidon. 22 A Canaanite woman from that vicinity came to him, crying out, “Lord, Son of David, have mercy on me! My daughter is demon-possessed and suffering terribly.”

23 Jesus did not answer a word. So his disciples came to him and urged him, “Send her away, for she keeps crying out after us.”

24 He answered, “I was sent only to the lost sheep of Israel.”

25 The woman came and knelt before him. “Lord, help me!” she said.

26 He replied, “It is not right to take the children’s bread and toss it to the dogs.”

27 “Yes it is, Lord,” she said. “Even the dogs eat the crumbs that fall from their master’s table.”

28 Then Jesus said to her, “Woman, you have great faith! Your request is granted.” And her daughter was healed at that moment."

 

 

7. The widow with the dead son - Again, in the Jewish culture of that time, the sons took care of their moms when/if their dads died. Here, Jesus had compassion on a woman whose son died, and brought her son back to life.

 

 

Luke 7 (NIV) - I boldened some.

 

 

"11 Soon afterward, Jesus went to a town called Nain, and his disciples and a large crowd went along with him. 12 As he approached the town gate, a dead person was being carried out—the only son of his mother, and she was a widow. And a large crowd from the town was with her. 13 When the Lord saw her, his heart went out to her and he said, “Don’t cry.”

14 Then he went up and touched the bier they were carrying him on, and the bearers stood still. He said, “Young man, I say to you, get up!” 15 The dead man sat up and began to talk, and Jesus gave him back to his mother.

16 They were all filled with awe and praised God. “A great prophet has appeared among us,” they said. “God has come to help his people.” 17 This news about Jesus spread throughout Judea and the surrounding country."

[alabaster2]

This is very interesting research! I agree with you.

[oldguy]

It was a male run society & that is evident not only in scripture but the way it was heavily edited.

"If your confined to one room you will know it well but little of anything beyond it".

Edited March 13, 2012 by oldguy

[mercy]

ah, lass, you've fed my soul this morning. Thank you!

 

Reading this reminded me of an article I read, I think you'll like it.

 

Jesus Was A Feminist, by Leonard Swidler

Edited March 13, 2012 by mercy

[BetheButterfly]

ah, lass, you've fed my soul this morning. Thank you!

 

Reading this reminded me of an article I read, I think you'll like it.

 

Jesus Was A Feminist, by Leonard Swidler

 

Aww Thank you! It's fun to study the Bible!!! Yes I do like it! Thanks for sharing the article!

[BetheButterfly]

It was a male run society & that is evident not only in scripture but the way it was heavily edited.

"If your confined to one room you will know it well but little of anything beyond it".

 

Most societies were male run, yes?

 

One complaint I have is that it seems that societies are still in many ways run by males. Now, it's not bad if the males are good, but some males seem greedy for power or other things... I guess that's where my complaint is directed. However, there are good males who are not greedy for power or fame or wealth, and as a female, I have no complaints when great males run society, with the help of great females! It should be a joint effort, which actually can be where I start today with women and Jesus. Jesus quoted from Genesis concerning a man leaving his father and mother, being united to his wife, and the two being one flesh. This I think is a way to equate the status between a man and a woman... that together they are "one flesh". Isn't that beautiful? I believe that God created the earth, including life on earth, and that when He created Adam and Eve, Eve was not considered in any way inferior to Adam, but rather a beautiful human who was his helper and companion, who completed him, which is why I believe that they are called together to be "one flesh." Sad to say, many men throughout history, all over the world, have and some still do, consider women inferior to men. But, they do not realize that they are degrading themselves when they degrade women, because men and women belong together and make "one flesh" together. Together, they can run society and bless society.

[BetheButterfly]

8. The status of a wife - Sad to say, in many cultures, women were considered inferior to men, and were often treated as property. However, Jesus emphasized that when God created Adam and Eve, He made them one flesh, and if people really study and understand this, it shows that both are of equal status (worthy of respect and love and dignity) and together are a team that should be unified, not one looking down at the other. Sadly, in the time of Jesus, some men were divorcing their wives for any reason, and treating their wives very badly, and Jesus showed through quoting Genesis how wrong this is, for them to divorce their wives for any reason and for not caring for and loving them.

 

Matthew 19 (NIV) - I boldened some.

 

1 When Jesus had finished saying these things, he left Galilee and went into the region of Judea to the other side of the Jordan. 2 Large crowds followed him, and he healed them there. 3 Some Pharisees came to him to test him. They asked, “Is it lawful for a man to divorce his wife for any and every reason?”

4 “Haven’t you read,” he replied, “that at the beginning the Creator ‘made them male and female,’[Gen. 1:27] 5 and said, ‘For this reason a man will leave his father and mother and be united to his wife, and the two will become one flesh’[Gen. 2:24]? 6 So they are no longer two, but one flesh. Therefore what God has joined together, let no one separate.”

7 “Why then,” they asked, “did Moses command that a man give his wife a certificate of divorce and send her away?”

8 Jesus replied, “Moses permitted you to divorce your wives because your hearts were hard. But it was not this way from the beginning. 9 I tell you that anyone who divorces his wife, except for sexual immorality, and marries another woman commits adultery.”

10 The disciples said to him, “If this is the situation between a husband and wife, it is better not to marry.”

11 Jesus replied, “Not everyone can accept this word, but only those to whom it has been given. "

 

9. Mary Magdalene - This lady had a hard life before knowing Jesus. She is considered to have been a woman who was possessed but who Jesus rescued. Now, people today have different ideas concerning what the possessed of demons means. Some people suppose it could be mental illness that was explained as being possessed. Others believe that demons exist and can possess people. I do not know, but I do know that there are people who have mental issues who feel trapped, and sometimes I wonder if today, she would have been diagnosed with a mental disease or disorder? Mental diseases and disorders are sadly just as normal as diseases of other parts of the body. A disease/illness/disorder is not fun and can plague any part of one's body, including the brain. So, regardless of what bothered her, one thing is comforting, that Jesus did not shun her, but rather healed her. She followed him, along with the 12 apostles Jesus chose and other women.

 

Luke 2 (NIV) - I boldened some.

 

" 1 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, 2 and also some women who had been cured of evil spirits and diseases: Mary (called Magdalene) from whom seven demons had come out; 3 Joanna the wife of Chuza, the manager of Herod’s household; Susanna; and many others. These women were helping to support them out of their own means."

 

Please notice in the following exchange how tenderly Jesus talks to her. This poor lady had known a lot of suffering in her life, and when she was mourning Jesus' death, that must have been just another terrible tragedy she had experienced. However, Jesus comforted her and gave her great joy when she saw him again and saw that he was not dead anymore, but alive!!! What joy and happiness she must have felt, that the one who rescued her from her problems was not dead, but alive!!!

 

John 20 (NIV) - I boldened some.

 

" 11 Now Mary stood outside the tomb crying. As she wept, she bent over to look into the tomb 12 and saw two angels in white, seated where Jesus’ body had been, one at the head and the other at the foot. 13 They asked her, “Woman, why are you crying?”

“They have taken my Lord away,” she said, “and I don’t know where they have put him.” 14 At this, she turned around and saw Jesus standing there, but she did not realize that it was Jesus.

15 He asked her, “Woman, why are you crying? Who is it you are looking for?”

Thinking he was the gardener, she said, “Sir, if you have carried him away, tell me where you have put him, and I will get him.”

16 Jesus said to her, “Mary.”

She turned toward him and cried out in Aramaic, “Rabboni!” (which means “Teacher”).

17 Jesus said, “Do not hold on to me, for I have not yet ascended to the Father. Go instead to my brothers and tell them, ‘I am ascending to my Father and your Father, to my God and your God.’”

18 Mary Magdalene went to the disciples with the news: “I have seen the Lord!” And she told them that he had said these things to her."

 

I know when I am crying out of grief, I do not see very well. When I cried when my grandmother died, I would not be expecting her be alive and talk to me. Mary Magdalene was filled with joy, and I personally consider it an honor to her and to all women, no matter what they have suffered in their lives, that Jesus showed himself to her and eased her suffering by showing her he lives!!!

 

10. Other women who followed Jesus (and please remember that his Mom, Mary, followed him too) - Although Jesus chose only men to be the 12 apostles, women were not excluded from following him! Many women, including mothers of his apostles, were active followers of Jesus. Below are some that are specifically mentioned:

 

Luke 24 (NIV) - I boldened some.

 

" 1 On the first day of the week, very early in the morning, the women took the spices they had prepared and went to the tomb. 2 They found the stone rolled away from the tomb, 3 but when they entered, they did not find the body of the Lord Jesus. 4 While they were wondering about this, suddenly two men in clothes that gleamed like lightning stood beside them. 5 In their fright the women bowed down with their faces to the ground, but the men said to them, “Why do you look for the living among the dead? 6 He is not here; he has risen! Remember how he told you, while he was still with you in Galilee: 7 ‘The Son of Man must be delivered over to the hands of sinners, be crucified and on the third day be raised again.’ ” 8 Then they remembered his words. 9 When they came back from the tomb, they told all these things to the Eleven and to all the others. 10 It was Mary Magdalene, Joanna, Mary the mother of James, and the others with them who told this to the apostles. 11 But they did not believe the women, because their words seemed to them like nonsense. 12 Peter, however, got up and ran to the tomb. Bending over, he saw the strips of linen lying by themselves, and he went away, wondering to himself what had happened."

 

 

Matthew 27 (NIV) - I boldened all.

 

 

"55 Many women were there, watching from a distance. They had followed Jesus from Galilee to care for his needs. 56 Among them were Mary Magdalene, Mary the mother of James and Joseph,[Greek Joses, a variant of Joseph] and the mother of Zebedee’s sons."

 

John 19 (NIV) - I boldened some.

 

 

"25 Near the cross of Jesus stood his mother, his mother’s sister, Mary the wife of Clopas, and Mary Magdalene. 26 When Jesus saw his mother there, and the disciple whom he loved standing nearby, he said to her, “Woman,[b] here is your son,” 27 and to the disciple, “Here is your mother.” From that time on, this disciple took her into his home."

 

 

As you can see, the women really loved and cared for Jesus. I am sure that Jesus treating them with love, gentleness, care, and goodness cultivated this love that even some mothers of his disciples had for the leader of their sons!

11. Martha the busy sister of Lazarus and Mary - Martha is often known among Christians as the busy sister who seemed too busy to learn from Jesus. However, her business shows her love for Jesus, I think, in that through her actions she wanted everything to be perfect, it seems. I don't think in the exchange below, that Jesus was ungrateful. However, I think he was teaching her that she didn't need to worry so much about things being perfect... that she can relax and listen too!

 

Luke 10 (NIV) - I boldened some.

 

" 38 As Jesus and his disciples were on their way, he came to a village where a woman named Martha opened her home to him. 39 She had a sister called Mary, who sat at the Lord’s feet listening to what he said. 40 But Martha was distracted by all the preparations that had to be made. She came to him and asked, “Lord, don’t you care that my sister has left me to do the work by myself? Tell her to help me!” 41 “Martha, Martha,” the Lord answered, “you are worried and upset about many things, 42 but few things are needed—or indeed only one.[f] Mary has chosen what is better, and it will not be taken away from her.”"

 

 

Martha had faith in Jesus. She confirmed her faith in Jesus even after her beloved brother Lazarus had died!

 

 

John 11 (NIV) - I boldened some.

 

 

" 17 On his arrival, Jesus found that Lazarus had already been in the tomb for four days. 18 Now Bethany was less than two miles[b] from Jerusalem, 19 and many Jews had come to Martha and Mary to comfort them in the loss of their brother. 20 When Martha heard that Jesus was coming, she went out to meet him, but Mary stayed at home.

21 “Lord,” Martha said to Jesus, “if you had been here, my brother would not have died. 22 But I know that even now God will give you whatever you ask.”

23 Jesus said to her, “Your brother will rise again.”

24 Martha answered, “I know he will rise again in the resurrection at the last day.”

25 Jesus said to her, “I am the resurrection and the life. The one who believes in me will live, even though they die; 26 and whoever lives by believing in me will never die. Do you believe this?”

27 “Yes, Lord,” she replied, “I believe that you are the Messiah, the Son of God, who is to come into the world.”

28 After she had said this, she went back and called her sister Mary aside. “The Teacher is here,” she said, “and is asking for you.” 29 When Mary heard this, she got up quickly and went to him. 30 Now Jesus had not yet entered the village, but was still at the place where Martha had met him."

 

12. Mary, the sister of Martha and Lazarus - I wonder if Mary was the youngest sister of Martha and Lazarus? Anyways, she seems like a woman who was very emotional, caring, and sensitive. She is known as a woman who was a sinner who washed Jesus' hair (named as the one by John, the apostle of Jesus.) Below is the account:

 

John 12 (NIV) - I boldened some.

 

"1 Six days before the Passover, Jesus came to Bethany, where Lazarus lived, whom Jesus had raised from the dead. 2 Here a dinner was given in Jesus’ honor. Martha served, while Lazarus was among those reclining at the table with him. 3 Then Mary took about a pint[a] of pure nard, an expensive perfume; she poured it on Jesus’ feet and wiped his feet with her hair. And the house was filled with the fragrance of the perfume. 4 But one of his disciples, Judas Iscariot, who was later to betray him, objected, 5 “Why wasn’t this perfume sold and the money given to the poor? It was worth a year’s wages.[b]” 6 He did not say this because he cared about the poor but because he was a thief; as keeper of the money bag, he used to help himself to what was put into it.

7 “Leave her alone,” Jesus replied. “It was intended that she should save this perfume for the day of my burial. 8 You will always have the poor among you,[c] but you will not always have me.”"

 

 

What a beautiful, heartfelt thing Mary did for Jesus!!! Wow, such humility, love, and precious acts of caring! If you are a woman, would you even think of pouring your most treasured, expensive perfume on the feet of any man and wiping his feet with your hair and tears? I bet she was thinking that Jesus was worth all the most lovely fragrances and beautiful gestures! Jesus defended her against those who criticized her, and he understood what a lovely beautiful thing she did for him!

 

 

 

I have to go now because my husband wants my intention lol. I understand. I don't like it when he doesn't pay me attention, so good night!

Edited March 14, 2012 by BetheButterfly

[Feelin Frisky]

The story of Jesus has been transcribed from arcane languages--ancient Greek to ancient Latin to Old English to middle English and to modern English and along the way it was done by persons commissioned by others all of whom had agendas. No doubt whatsoever if Jesus lived at all, which itself is questionable, none of his exact words and none of the inflections and exact contexts are accurate or have survived. Anyone who say "Jesus said" this or "Jesus said" that is mistaken. Therefore all of the language of the New Testament is not to be trusted. Having said that, the story of Jesus is not without value--and indeed extraordinary value. What a real Christian in modern times must do is forget the words and look at the apparent actions and interpret for yourself what his alleged actions mean. He was obviously not god but a courageous man who refused to bend knee to the two great powers of the time, the Roman Empire and the Jewish aristocracy. He was obviously leftist in the extreme. His cause was his fellow men and women and his message one of suspension of materialism and territorialism in favor of the potential for good in each person regardless of standing. His message was corrupted and co-opted by the Romans and the opposite of Jesus--a god figure which might as well be a golden calf, held up by Roman Catholicism which wrapped itself in hierarchy, wealth and subjugation which is exactly what Jesus Chrrist stood against. Jesus message was attempted to be revived by Martin Luther but the power of deification and hierarchy remained and Christ has been co-opted and misinterpreted in every "protestant" Christianity ever since. Jesus is not to be "worshipped", objectified or prayed to as a god--he is to be emulated as a human being. IMO you could simply his message to this: it is always time to get off your knees and get on the ball making a difference in the lives of others. Those who pray for deliverance do nothing to earn redemption and indeed let evil dominate the world by neglect of duty to honor the sacrifice all have given including Chist in the cause of redemption of mankind.

[fortyninethousand322]

The story of Jesus has been transcribed from arcane languages--ancient Greek to ancient Latin to Old English to middle English and to modern English and along the way it was done by persons commissioned by others all of whom had agendas. No doubt whatsoever if Jesus lived at all, which itself is questionable, none of his exact words and none of the inflections and exact contexts are accurate or have survived. Anyone who say "Jesus said" this or "Jesus said" that is mistaken. Therefore all of the language of the New Testament is not to be trusted. Having said that, the story of Jesus is not without value--and indeed extraordinary value. What a real Christian in modern times must do is forget the words and look at the apparent actions and interpret for yourself what his alleged actions mean. He was obviously not god but a courageous man who refused to bend knee to the two great powers of the time, the Roman Empire and the Jewish aristocracy. He was obviously leftist in the extreme. His cause was his fellow men and women and his message one of suspension of materialism and territorialism in favor of the potential for good in each person regardless of standing. His message was corrupted and co-opted by the Romans and the opposite of Jesus--a god figure which might as well be a golden calf, held up by Roman Catholicism which wrapped itself in hierarchy, wealth and subjugation which is exactly what Jesus Chrrist stood against. Jesus message was attempted to be revived by Martin Luther but the power of deification and hierarchy remained and Christ has been co-opted and misinterpreted in every "protestant" Christianity ever since. Jesus is not to be "worshipped", objectified or prayed to as a god--he is to be emulated as a human being. IMO you could simply his message to this: it is always time to get off your knees and get on the ball making a difference in the lives of others. Those who pray for deliverance do nothing to earn redemption and indeed let evil dominate the world by neglect of duty to honor the sacrifice all have given including Chist in the cause of redemption of mankind.

 

Funny, there are quite a few people who believe Jesus was a libertarian in the extreme.

[Nightsky]

Funny, there are quite a few people who believe Jesus was a libertarian in the extreme.

 

People usualy just believe god is on their side no matter what they believe in. Frisky proved that point, now so are you.

[fortyninethousand322]

People usualy just believe god is on their side no matter what they believe in. Frisky proved that point, now so are you.

 

Um, no. I don't think you got the part where I was making a joke. Hence the at the end of it.

[Nightsky]

Um, no. I don't think you got the part where I was making a joke. Hence the at the end of it.

 

Oh I got the joke but I was ilustrating my point.

[BetheButterfly]

Continuing on with 12..., first I need to make a correction. Mary washed Jesus' feet, not his hair!

 

Anyways,

 

12. continued...Mary the sister of Martha and Lazarus - Mary, Martha, and Lazarus were very good friends of Jesus and his apostles. John accounts that "Jesus loved Martha and her sister and Lazarus."

 

John 11 (NIV) - I boldened some.

 

" 1 Now a man named Lazarus was sick. He was from Bethany, the village of Mary and her sister Martha. 2 (This Mary, whose brother Lazarus now lay sick, was the same one who poured perfume on the Lord and wiped his feet with her hair.) 3 So the sisters sent word to Jesus, “Lord, the one you love is sick.” 4 When he heard this, Jesus said, “This sickness will not end in death. No, it is for God’s glory so that God’s Son may be glorified through it.” 5 Now Jesus loved Martha and her sister and Lazarus. 6 So when he heard that Lazarus was sick, he stayed where he was two more days, 7 and then he said to his disciples, “Let us go back to Judea.”

 

 

The Gospel of John very much emphasizes love. It is obvious that Jesus' love for Martha, Mary, and Lazarus was noted by people. We already looked at Martha's faith when Jesus came to see them. Now let's see about Mary and how Jesus reacted to her grief. Another point about Martha, she seemed very practical and made a very practical point in the account below.

 

 

 

John 11 (NIV) - I boldened some.

 

 

"28 After she had said this, she went back and called her sister Mary aside. “The Teacher is here,” she said, “and is asking for you.” 29 When Mary heard this, she got up quickly and went to him. 30 Now Jesus had not yet entered the village, but was still at the place where Martha had met him. 31 When the Jews who had been with Mary in the house, comforting her, noticed how quickly she got up and went out, they followed her, supposing she was going to the tomb to mourn there.

32 When Mary reached the place where Jesus was and saw him, she fell at his feet and said, “Lord, if you had been here, my brother would not have died.”

33 When Jesus saw her weeping, and the Jews who had come along with her also weeping, he was deeply moved in spirit and troubled. 34 “Where have you laid him?” he asked.

“Come and see, Lord,” they replied.

35 Jesus wept.

36 Then the Jews said, “See how he loved him!”

37 But some of them said, “Could not he who opened the eyes of the blind man have kept this man from dying?”

Jesus Raises Lazarus From the Dead

 

38 Jesus, once more deeply moved, came to the tomb. It was a cave with a stone laid across the entrance. 39 “Take away the stone,” he said. “But, Lord,” said Martha, the sister of the dead man, “by this time there is a bad odor, for he has been there four days.”

40 Then Jesus said, “Did I not tell you that if you believe, you will see the glory of God?”

41 So they took away the stone. Then Jesus looked up and said, “Father, I thank you that you have heard me. 42 I knew that you always hear me, but I said this for the benefit of the people standing here, that they may believe that you sent me.”

43 When he had said this, Jesus called in a loud voice, “Lazarus, come out!” 44 The dead man came out, his hands and feet wrapped with strips of linen, and a cloth around his face."

 

 

Mary and Martha experienced a loving, caring friendship with Jesus, along with their brother Lazarus! Mary is known for being eager to learn from Jesus' teachings.

 

 

 

Luke 10 (NIV) - I boldened some.

 

 

" 38 As Jesus and his disciples were on their way, he came to a village where a woman named Martha opened her home to him. 39 She had a sister called Mary, who sat at the Lord’s feet listening to what he said. 40 But Martha was distracted by all the preparations that had to be made. She came to him and asked, “Lord, don’t you care that my sister has left me to do the work by myself? Tell her to help me!”

41 “Martha, Martha,” the Lord answered, “you are worried and upset about many things, 42 but few things are needed—or indeed only one.[f] Mary has chosen what is better, and it will not be taken away from her.”"

 

 

I admit I identify with Mary because I love to learn from Jesus' teachings. Although I of course am not perfect, Jesus' teachings motivate me to grow spiritually, mentally, physically, and emotionally for God's glory!

 

 

 

Now I need to get ready for work, but I do hope anyone who reads does so with an open mind, and gleans encouragement for life!

Edited March 14, 2012 by BetheButterfly

[BetheButterfly]

The story of Jesus has been transcribed from arcane languages--ancient Greek to ancient Latin to Old English to middle English and to modern English and along the way it was done by persons commissioned by others all of whom had agendas. No doubt whatsoever if Jesus lived at all, which itself is questionable, none of his exact words and none of the inflections and exact contexts are accurate or have survived. Anyone who say "Jesus said" this or "Jesus said" that is mistaken. Therefore all of the language of the New Testament is not to be trusted. Having said that, the story of Jesus is not without value--and indeed extraordinary value. What a real Christian in modern times must do is forget the words and look at the apparent actions and interpret for yourself what his alleged actions mean. He was obviously not god but a courageous man who refused to bend knee to the two great powers of the time, the Roman Empire and the Jewish aristocracy. He was obviously leftist in the extreme. His cause was his fellow men and women and his message one of suspension of materialism and territorialism in favor of the potential for good in each person regardless of standing. His message was corrupted and co-opted by the Romans and the opposite of Jesus--a god figure which might as well be a golden calf, held up by Roman Catholicism which wrapped itself in hierarchy, wealth and subjugation which is exactly what Jesus Chrrist stood against. Jesus message was attempted to be revived by Martin Luther but the power of deification and hierarchy remained and Christ has been co-opted and misinterpreted in every "protestant" Christianity ever since. Jesus is not to be "worshipped", objectified or prayed to as a god--he is to be emulated as a human being. IMO you could simply his message to this: it is always time to get off your knees and get on the ball making a difference in the lives of others. Those who pray for deliverance do nothing to earn redemption and indeed let evil dominate the world by neglect of duty to honor the sacrifice all have given including Chist in the cause of redemption of mankind.

 

You are of course perfectly entitled to your opinions, and may believe what you want. Regardless of your opinions however, Jesus did in fact exist and taught his disciples. His apostles and disciples experienced persecution, yet interestingly enough, even in the face of persecution, followers of Jesus multiplied! To this day, there are many Christians all over the world, and those who are Christian heart and soul, verses merely by tradition, experience peace, joy, love, security, and satisfaction even when they are poor, persecuted, insulted by mean-spirited people, and thought crazy by people who don't share their beliefs.

[oldguy]

Most societies were male run, yes?

 

One complaint I have is that it seems that societies are still in many ways run by males. Now, it's not bad if the males are good, but some males seem greedy for power or other things... I guess that's where my complaint is directed. However, there are good males who are not greedy for power or fame or wealth, and as a female, I have no complaints when great males run society, with the help of great females! It should be a joint effort, which actually can be where I start today with women and Jesus. Jesus quoted from Genesis concerning a man leaving his father and mother, being united to his wife, and the two being one flesh. This I think is a way to equate the status between a man and a woman... that together they are "one flesh". Isn't that beautiful? I believe that God created the earth, including life on earth, and that when He created Adam and Eve, Eve was not considered in any way inferior to Adam, but rather a beautiful human who was his helper and companion, who completed him, which is why I believe that they are called together to be "one flesh." Sad to say, many men throughout history, all over the world, have and some still do, consider women inferior to men. But, they do not realize that they are degrading themselves when they degrade women, because men and women belong together and make "one flesh" together. Together, they can run society and bless society.

 

I debated on using the word "was" or "is", "a male run society". I wanted only to suggest that throughout the... compiling & editing of the Bible a prime consideration, especially when translation was in question, the male side or view not only won out but was & is a strong bias & influence.

 

The Catholic Bible, for instance contains 73 books while most Protestant Bibles contain 66. The Catholic's didn't add 7 they where removed. This is an obvious form of editing. In fact it is suggested that there may be well over 600 books & writings & many are in the Vatican vaults. But I'm getting a bit off track. The point I'm trying to make is that I believe, in fact I've been told, that the Bible we have today is an edited, compromise that in many cases includes bias translations & is highly incomplete.