It’s a tired, worn-out song that many in the religious world sing over and over…..women can’t be preachers of the gospel or teach men, or do a long list of things that legalism dictates. But is that just tradition or is that found in the Bible?
Well, let’s turn to the scriptures to find out. In the daily faith walk, we are to live as representatives of Jesus Christ. We are to observe, live and model, as well as teach the values and virtues of His Kingdom that contrast with this world’s (remember the Sermon on the Mount?).
Paul wrote of the citizenry of the kingdom of heaven in Galatians 3:26-28 (NKJV).
For you all are sons of God through faith in Christ Jesus. For as many of you as were baptized into Christ have put on Christ. There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither slave nor free, there is neither male nor female; for you are all one in Christ Jesus.
Wait, that goes against what most religion teaches! But according to the Bible, men and women in the kingdom of God are all treated as first sons whose inheritance is the best and largest portion. Men and women in the kingdom of God are viewed as one, rather than distinct or different based on the demographics of this world – ethnicity, race, socioeconomic status, educational status, or gender.
Now, apply this to the Great Commission in Matthew 28:18-20 (NKJV).
And Jesus came and spoke to them [the disciples], saying, “All authority has been given to Me in heaven and on earth. Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all things that I have commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age.” Amen.
Jesus, in red letters, told the 11 disciples to go; make disciples; baptize; teach... to all people of all nations. Not just men, not just highly trained, educated, and lettered people. Not just the affluent and wealthy. Not just any people group or ethnicity.
Jesus said to go to all; make all disciples; baptize all; teach all.
SCRATCH!!!! Imagine you hear the cringing sound of the old-fashioned arm of a record player being pulled across a spinning record. Got your attention?
The New Covenant recognizes that there are no identifying labels to be used in the kingdom of heaven. Instead, as Paul wrote in 2 Corinthians 5:16, in Christ, we are not to view each other according to the flesh. Instead, we know each other in Christ.
So why is there such a debate as to whether God empowers women?
Jesus empowered both men and women with this command – Go! Make disciples. Baptize. Teach. Transcending culture, times, and preference, each of us – male and female – will stand before the Tribunal of Jesus Christ, or the bema. Our day of accounting will include whether we’ve declared Jesus Christ as Savior and as Lord. As Savior, we confess our sin, repent, and declare our lives under the blood of Christ. As Lord, we accept His commands to serve and go, make disciples, baptize, and teach!
Jesus empowered women with a connection relative to their proximity to Him in significant moments.
To whom did Jesus first reveal Himself as the Messiah in the gospel of John? John 4 records that Jesus rested at Jacob’s well to meet the Samaritan, or half-Jew/half-Gentile woman living in sin. In their conversation, the woman revealed her awareness of the coming Messiah. Jesus declared, “I am He, the One speaking to you.”
Who extravagantly worshiped Jesus before His crucifixion, pouring out expensive fragrance upon the King of the Jews Who would have this fragrance lingering at the cross and at the tomb? Mary, the sister of Martha and Lazarus, was entrusted to anoint the King for His last meal before His arrest, His death, and His resurrection (Matthew 26:6-13).
After Jesus’ resurrection and ascension, the Upper Room on the day of Pentecost was no gentlemen’s quarters. There were women present. “All were filled with the Holy Spirit” and heard Peter’s sermon declaring the fulfillment of God’s word as written in Joel 2:28-32.
And it will be in the last days, says God, that I will pour out My Spirit on all humanity; then your sons and your daughters will prophesy...I will even pour out My Spirit on My male and female servants in those days and they will prophesy..
Jesus also empowered women with a call on the day of His resurrection. Look at that Resurrection Sunday morning when Jesus appeared to the women at the tomb. “Rejoice! Do not be afraid. Go and tell My brothers to leave for Galilee, and they will see Me there.”
Who preached the first Easter sermon of Jesus’ resurrection? Yes, women.
Watch my complete teaching on this on YouTube (linked below). Just see that Jesus still empowers men and women to be His vessels in this life to bring His kingdom to our own personal lives, our families, our churches, and our communities.
Jesus empowered and still empowers. Do you operate in His authority, believe for His miracles, and faithfully speak His words of love, hope, grace, and mercy? Never forget that we each stand before Christ our King to give an account, not before a denomination, not before a council of church elders, or a group polled for popularity. Speak Jesus!