The Last And The First

Standing by the cross of Jesus were his mother and his mother’s sister, Mary the wife of Clopas, and Mary Magdalene. John 19:25

IN JESUS’ DAY, women were property. They were background fixtures. They served the men and had a clear barrier to knowledge, wealth, position, and honor.

But then, Jesus.

Have you ever considered how women were the first preachers of the gospel? How they were the last to remain at the terrifying, blood-stained cross? How they were the first to take the Good News of the risen Jesus to the world?

God’s use of women to reflect His glory is one of my favorite parts about His plan. Women were part of the action in a culture that had rendered them inactive.

God didn’t do this haphazardly. He knew women would be the faithful few to remain with Jesus that night and share the Good News on Easter morning. This is no small thing. The tomb was rolled away, and so were gender roles, fears, power, and division.

As we have looked at the women who have graced the stage before us, with strength and bravery, we have to conclude a few truths: Women are highly valued by God and entrusted with important tasks. Women are given the Spirit of God by God Himself. Women will continue to be commissioned by God to pioneer the Kingdom in places it has not yet reached. As a woman, then, you are included in the sacred work God has given you.

All of these truths have one simple thread: By God.

By God’s grace we are valued. By God’s grace we are tasked. By God’s grace we are commissioned. By God, and not by ourselves.

Be empowered, dear reader.

If you are a single woman, God can use you.

If you are a young and eager woman, God can use you.

If you are a married woman with children, God can use you.

If you are a retired woman, God can use you.

If you are a widowed woman, God can use you.

If you are a woman with a story, God can use you.

And know that just as we celebrate how much God loves women, it’s not about women. It’s still about Him.

I so often want to point out all the gender inequalities in our churches and the abuse of power that isolates women and their gifts. I want to shout from the rooftops how much is missed when we sideline women and don’t listen to their voices. But then I make it about gender, don’t I? And I sideline God.

Above all, I want to speak up about the glory of God and His Kingdom. I want to point to the goodness and grace in the gospel. Because when men and women encounter God, listen to Him, and open their hearts to His Word, the value of women will become apparent. As we focus on the true King, His Kingdom ways will win, where men and women are equal in dignity, value, and worth.

God wins the day and His grace will prevail. It has always been about Him, and His grace looks amazing on us when we reflect His glory.

GRACE REFLECTION: How have you been tempted to worship gender equality over the King Himself? Ask God to center your heart on Him, the author and perfecter of our faith.