The Role of Women    Mark 14:8

This post concerns the role of women.

‘The role of women’ explores Jesus’ comments about a woman who anointed Jesus, Mark 14:3. “…a woman came with an alabaster flask of ointment of pure nard, very costly, and she broke the flask and poured it over his head.”

After this, some of those present complained saying that the ointment, worth 300 days of pay, should go to people with low income. Jesus defended her, Mark 14:6. “Leave her alone… She has done a beautiful thing to me.”

As a result, Jesus explained that they could always care for people with low incomes, but not for Him. Then, Jesus commended her, Mark 14:8. “She has done what she could; she has anointed my body beforehand for burial.”

In effect, this woman sets an example of women in the service of Jesus: ‘Do what you can.’

Women were created as a helpers fit for man, Genesis 2:18. Since creation, women have separate roles from men. Jesus recognized this by saying she did ‘what she could.’ Jesus focused on what she could do, not what she could not do.

For example, in the church, women occupy a different role during worship, I Corinthians 14:34-35. “…the women should keep silent in the churches. For they … not permitted to speak… in submission… shameful for a woman to speak in church.” Thus, women should show silence and not take vocal actions such as preaching or public prayer.

Likewise, the role of women differs in everyday life from that in the church. In the New Testament, we read of a woman engaged in business, Acts 16:14. “One who heard us was a woman named Lydia, from the city of Thyatira, a seller of purple goods…”

Also, the Old Testament shows Deborah as both a prophetess and as a military leader.

Proverbs 31:10 compliments women, “An excellent wife who can find? She is far more precious than jewels.” Next in Proverbs, some compliments and accomplishments of women make up a list, including buying a field and making and selling clothes.

So, what did we learn?

1.Jesus commends a women doing what she could.

2.The Bible shows women in various commendable roles.

3.Women’s role in the church differs from that of men.

For more on the Bible, click tdroberts.org or https://justchristian.com or https://podcastjustchristian.com

#women’sRoles #serveJesus #doWhatCan