“First, it was sufficiently offensive that the person with whom Jesus was conversing was a woman. My beloved sisters, you owe much to the Gospel, for it is only by its agency that you are raised to your proper place. For what said the rabbis? ‘Rather burn the sayings of the law than teach them to a woman.’ Again, ‘Let no man prolong conversation with a woman; let no one converse with a woman in the streets, nor even with his own wife.’ Women were thought to be unfit for profound religious instruction and altogether inferior beings. My sisters, we do not think that you are superior to us, though some of you perhaps fancy so. But we are right glad to own your equality and to know that in Christ Jesus there is neither male nor female. Jesus has lifted you up to your true place, side by side with man. Even the apostles were tainted at first with that horrible superstition that made them marvel that Jesus openly talked with a woman.”—Charles Haddon Spurgeon
It places an entirely different perspective on the interaction between Martha and Jesus when he says Mary has chosen the better way by sitting at his feet and learning from him. We often think about doing versus being, but I think, more importantly, we should ponder the fact that the scriptures are meant equally for both sexes to study and learn and apply. Martha may have been annoyed that Mary was not helping her, but likely she was also shocked and jealous. Mary was sitting at the feet of a rabbi and being taught!
Truly, Jesus was revolutionary in his time by his treatment, his acknowledgement, of women.
In Him there is no male or female; we are all sons of the Most High, equal HEIRS in His kingdom.
Being taught,
k8t
k8t(at)faceofagirl(dot)com
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