Freedom Indeed
by Cheryl Bryan
via Sentry Magazine, Vol. 21 No. 3, September 1995
The issue of equality between the sexes is not new. As early as 1792, a British paper entitled "A Vindication of the Rights of Women״ challenged the notion that women exist only to please men. The writer proposed that women receive the same treatment as men in education, employment, and politics, and that the same moral standards should be applied to both sexes. The right to vote was the central goal of such early women’s liberation advocates as Lucy Stone and Susan B. Anthony. It was achieved in the United States with the 19th Amendment on August 26. 1920 - over seventy years ago.
I believe that true liberation for women occurred almost 2,000 years ago. when the Son of God. quoted in John 8:36. declared, "If therefore the Son shall make you free, you shall be free indeed." Throughout His ministry, Jesus Christ demonstrated His respect and love for men and women alike.
However, it’s interesting to note that the Bible records more of Jesus’ conversations with His friends Martha and Mary than with their brother Lazarus. He depended on women for much of his physical care while He was on earth; women were among the first to witness and tell of His resurrection. The following examples further indicate how He viewed and treated women.
Jesus Respected Women
John 8 records the story of a woman caught in the act of adultery. The men who brought her to Jesus wanted Him to condemn her, but did not mention the man. Jesus reminded those religious leaders that they were not without sin, shamed
them into walking away, and then instructing her, released her.
Jesus Recognized the Value of Women
He broke social norms by speaking to the woman at the well (John 4), asking her for water, and engaging her in what was essentially a theological discussion. He saw her not as a worthless woman nor a despised Samaritan, but as a person needing to be freed.
Jesus Healed Women
Early in His ministry, He healed Peter’s mother-in-law (Mark 1:29). Luke 8 mentions that Jesus freed Mary Magdalene from eight demons. In Capernaum (Mark 5:21-43) he healed a woman who had been hemorrhaging for twelve years, then raised Jails’ daughter from the dead. He offended the leader of the synagogue by healing a crippled woman on the Sabbath.
He Elevated Women
Even before His birth, He was responsible for honoring Mary and blessing Elizabeth (Luke 2). He allowed a sinful woman to wash His feet with her hair (Luke 7:36-50), recognizing her motive of love, her need for forgiveness, and her faith. He encouraged her to come out of her sin while chastising the respected Pharisee in whose home He was eating.
Sometimes He Chastised Women
He told the adulterous woman to ״sin no more״ (John 8:1 1) and exhorted the woman at the well to worship in ״spirit and truth״ (John 4). He recognized the sin of the woman who washed His feet and told her so. When we humble ourselves enough to seek someone’s help, we want them to take us seriously. To be brushed off with ״That’s not important," or ״Don’t worry about it - you’re fine״ is degrading. He did not patronize women; if they were wrong, He told them so.
Christ Set Women Free
For the woman with an issue of blood, it was freedom from illness and shame. He allowed the Samaritan woman to rise above the stigma of being not only just a woman, but a Samaritan woman. He freed Mary Magdalene from the control of spirits and gave her and other women the privilege of personally ministering to the Creator of the world. He freed the widow of Nain from sorrow and probable destitution by raising her only son from the dead (Luke 7:11-17). And He freed at least two women who had sinned publicly, whom other men around Him easily condemned.
Jesus kept his promise of "freedom indeed" in the first century, and He will free us today. Freedom indeed is not shown in our political, educational, or social positions -- life on this planet will never be perfectly fair or just - for anyone! We achieve true liberation only by allowing Jesus to free us from the bondage and expectations of the world - to allow Him to defend us, instruct us, heal us, honor us, and even chastise us.
