One day as I drove to a speaking engagement to a women's event in South Dakota I was praying about International Women's Day. It was heavy on my heart that the women of the world are not taught their value in Jesus. God began to place on my heart all of the stories that helped me realize my value. These stories are the very stories that helped me to discover my identity in Christ and that I am worthy of honor and respect. I could not wait to go home and compile the list of what God gave me that helped me to discover Heaven's Hospitality toward me!
God gave this to me when I was writing and teaching Heaven's Hospitality so I called it Heaven’s Hospitality for Women.
Jesus’ conversations with women reveal that He knew women had the capability to comprehend the gospel, discuss theology, be a witness, make disciples, provide financial assistance, and assist in ministry without being a seductress. Jesus allowed women to be actively involved in kingdom building. Jesus’ interactions with women transcended culturally defined roles.
1. Jesus honored His mother’s request to turn water to wine at the wedding of Cana (John 2:11).
2. Jesus initiates conversations with foreign women (John 4:9).
3. Jesus did not gloss over the sin but confronted the sin of the women He interacted (John 4:16-18).
4. Jesus allowed women to be actively involved in kingdom building (John 4:21-24; 39-42).
5. Jesus trusted a woman’s testimony to lead an entire village (John 4:21-24; 39-42).
6. Jesus revealed His identity to a woman (John 4:26).
7. Jesus healed women: Peter’s mother-in-law and Woman with blood flow (Luke 4:38-41; 8:44; Luke 13:16).
8. Jesus spoke to women in public and showed He was tender hearted toward their suffering (Luke 7:11-17).
9. Jesus welcomes worship from a sinful woman (Luke 7:38; Matthew 26:13).
10. Jesus forgave/forgives women (Luke 7:48).
11. Jesus gave dignity when man sought shame and when the law demanded judgment (Luke 7:36-50).
12. Jesus trusted women to be persons of faith (Luke 7:50).
13. Jesus allowed women to travel with Him for ministry (Luke 8:1-3).
14. Jesus allowed women to minister to Him financially (Luke 8:1-3).
15. Jesus confronted sin with mercy (John 8:11).
16. Jesus used affectionate familial terms when talking to women… daughter (Luke 8:48).
17. Jesus showed compassion to women and did not view women as unclean (John 8:43-48).
18. Jesus settled disputes with a kingdom view (Luke 10:41).
19. Jesus commends sacrifice of widowed woman (Luke 21:2).
20. Jesus noticed the outcast and socially invisible woman (Luke 21:2).
21. Jesus took care of His mother (John 19:26).
22. Jesus used women as eye-witnesses (Mark 16:11; John 20:11-18; Matthew 28:1-10).
23. Jesus parables about women to teach truth (Matthew 25, Luke 15; 18).
24. Jesus had theological discussions with the Samaritan Woman on Living Water, Martha on the Resurrection of Life, and Mary Magdalene was the first eyewitness after Jesus rose from the grave.
I do not feel this list is exhaustive. I realize that I need to make a list for the Old Testament too! My favorite Bible story to use in the Old Testament is the Widow's Oil in 1 Kings 4:1-7.
We also need to consider the Ten Commandments, the Great Commandment, the Great Commission, and the Spiritual Gifts. These are commands and gifts that are given with the intent that both men and women fulfill them. If I may encourage the freedom that is modeled and commanded to be lived out among us. Live in Heaven’s hospitality and be a blessing as you are blessed.
