Week 4: The Testimony of Women

Another week gone by and we're already at week 4! ​It would be far-fetched of me to not recognize Women's History Month throughout this series as Lent falls during March, so I saved this post for the last week of the month.

To not dedicate a week to the testimony of women in the Bible would be a dire mistake on my part, for women are the reason we receive so much of the mystery of faith and obedience to the Lord. You may be wondering what I mean when I say this. Often times when we talk about women in the church, we run to debate our theological opinions and stances on women's involvement in a church body. Let me tell you right now: I'm not interested, and I don't care. The reason I couldn't care less is because no matter how much you want to argue and discuss women's roles, the evidence is clear: the Gospel unendingly supports women and their testimony from start to finish. In fact, the Gospel is the moral foundation of why I will always support and believe women, and why you should too.  
In the beginning, it's clear that the Lord has created women to accompany, as a response to creating man. When reading this, one could see that this means that women are to be the assisters of men, and that their role is primarily to be second to men. I challenge that by saying that God knew and designed women to be necessary. Not that we are to be second, but obligatory in life. When we view women's roles as necessary, we completely change the narrative. It creates a new appreciation for what women can do for society, and how we are to respect and value them in this world. It also makes other stories in the Bible containing women much more intentional. As we move throughout the Bible, it allows us to think deeply about the roles that women have played in revealing the character of God. 
Most importantly however, the testimony of women is the foundation of the Gospel. From the birth and conception of Jesus to His resurrection, women are the ones who carry the news. Mary, Elizabeth, Mary Magdalene: each one of these women are the ones who witness to the word of the Lord and the gift that He has for His people. In Elizabeth's story, we see God revealing His grace and mercy through the gift of a child to Zechariah and Elizabeth. However, Zechariah is quick to doubt how the Lord can possibly perform a miracle through his wife. It's Elizabeth that accepts and believes. In Mary, we see a young woman faced with battling a societal norm and taking on an impossible task. It's Joseph that doubts and judges Mary's character, but it's Mary that trusts that the Lord is good and that His will shall be fulfilled. In Mary Magdalene, we see a woman struck with grief witness her Savior risen from the dead. While the disciples ran in disbelief and sadness, Mary Magdalene's moment in the garden is why we relish in the miracle of Easter. In between each story, there are countless women who encounter and testify to the Lord's grace and mercy that prove time and time again that God values and entrusts women with the testimony of His love. 
What does this mean to us now? 
1. It's not just that God entrusts women, it's that God chooses women to testify through times where society would tell us God can't possibly be present. A barren woman, an unmarried woman, a previously demon-struck prostitute: there is no person that is unworthy of carrying the testimony of Jesus to this world. It serves as a catapult for believing that the gift of salvation through Jesus Christ is quite literally for all to partake in. No one is left behind. If we are to adamantly and intentionally view women as necessary for Gospel transactions, we must believe that each person, woman or man or nonbinary, is capable of not only receiving the Gospel but sharing it. Period.  
2. If we are to adamantly and intentionally view women as necessary for Gospel transactions, we must fight for them to be seen and heard as Jesus did. If you're wondering what I'm talking about, go back to your bible. Jesus is a champion for women. He knew that women were necessary, are necessary, in this world. If we ask ourselves WWJD (what would Jesus do), He would listen to women. 
3. If we are to intentionally and adamantly view women as necessary for Gospel transactions, we must raise young girls to know that they too can be warriors for the Gospel; that they have a place in the body of Christ that is necessary, valid and worthy of celebrating and listening to. We must teach them that they are worthy to be heard because they are.  
In an age where we are constantly fighting for women to be taken seriously, let us followers of Christ set the example. Believe and honor women. Defend women from harms of slander, physical abuse, emotional abuse, and sexual abuse. Teach our men that women are necessary in our lives, and hold those accountable who teach otherwise. In a culture where conversations surrounding the rights of women are so polarized, let us teach others that the Gospel & the triune God by their pure and holy nature support and honor women. 
If the story of the Gospel teaches us anything, if the Gospel teaches ME anything, it's that women must be heard and seen for God to be glorified. Why? Because each woman's testimony teaches us that when we wait and watch in hope for the Lord, our God will hear us.