From the dawn of time, women have been at the heart of God’s mission to redeem humanity, yet their monumental contributions often fade into the background. Dive into this fascinating exploration of the unsung heroines who played critical roles in Jesus’ ministry. You’re about to uncover stories that have been tucked away in the scriptures—stories of women who were not only present but pivotal. Their actions laid the groundwork for Jesus’ teachings and the great commission that calls us all to action. How were these women the first to witness the birth, the miracles, the death, and the resurrection of Jesus? Their stories will not only surprise you but will also redefine your understanding of their legacy in Christianity.
To understand why these women were so pivotal, let’s delve into a key principle of biblical interpretation known as the “Law of First Mention.”
When something happens for the first time in the Bible, it is often referred to as the “Law of First Mention.” This is a principle of biblical interpretation where the first occurrence of a word, concept, or event in Scripture is thought to set a precedent or establish a foundational meaning that carries through the rest of the Bible. Even in our life, we give honor to the first person who does something, like the first person to climb a mountain or the first person to break the speed of sound. It is these people who show us all that something can be done, giving us faith to do what they did. This message is about the women who Jesus gave first honor to.
This principle becomes vividly clear when we look at the women in Jesus’ life, who were not only present at, but also the first to witness, some of the most significant events in Christian history.
How frequently do we skim over scripture without grasping the profound impact of what’s described? Consider the women highlighted in the Bible; they were instrumental in Jesus’ ministry. God bestowed honor upon these women, making them:
- The first to learn of Jesus, the Son of God’s arrival into the world.
- The first recipients of Jesus’ revelation of His identity as the Christ.
- The first evangelists, sharing the news of Christ’s coming to redeem us.
- Witnesses at the crucifixion, standing by the cross.
- The first to discover the empty tomb, symbolizing resurrection.
- The first to encounter the risen Christ, affirming His victory over death.
These pivotal moments are not just historical footnotes; they are the bedrock of our faith, showing that through these women, God chose to reveal the cornerstone events of Christianity – from Jesus’ conception to His resurrection. These are the most monumental events in human history, and by making women the first witnesses, God honored them in a unique and enduring way. It’s through these events and these witnesses that our salvation narrative is woven, reminding us to recognize and appreciate the foundational roles women played in the story of our faith.
Let’s delve into some of these pivotal moments in scripture, where women were at the forefront of Jesus’ ministry and message
- First person to be told that Jesus was the Son of God was a woman – In the Old Testament, it is foretold that a Messiah would be born, but nobody knew who or when it would happen until God sent an angel to Mary, a virgin, and told her that she would conceive and bear a son, whom she was to name Jesus (Luke 1:26-38).
- First person to be told by the Holy Spirit that Jesus was the Son of God was a woman – When Mary visited her cousin Elizabeth in the hill country, upon hearing the greeting of Mary, the baby leaped in Elizabeth’s womb, and she was filled with the Holy Spirit. Then she said to Mary, “Blessed among women are you, and blessed is the fruit of your womb! And why is it granted to me that the mother of my Lord should come to me?” (Luke 1:39-45).
- First prophet to publicly proclaim Jesus as a redeemer was a woman – Simeon is not explicitly referred to as a prophet in the Bible, but he is often seen as someone who spoke prophetically. According to Luke 2:25, Simeon is described as a “righteous and devout” man who was filled with the Holy Spirit. Anna, on the other hand, is described as a prophetess. She came to Jesus shortly after Simeon and gave thanks to God and spoke about Jesus to all who were looking forward to the redemption of Jerusalem (Luke 2:36-38).
- First person to encourage Jesus to step into His ministry and perform His first miracle was a woman – I included this because mothers of everyone deserve recognition for their dedication, inspiration, encouragement, and support for their children. Even the mother of Jesus shows this part of her faith in Jesus as she encourages and pushes Him to step into His calling. During a wedding, when the host ran out of wine, Mary asked Jesus to intervene. He told her that His hour had not yet come. However, because of His mother’s encouragement and faith, Jesus stepped into His calling and performed His first miracle, turning water into wine (John 2:1-12).
- First person Jesus told that He was the Son of God during His ministry was a woman – We do not know this lady’s name; she is referred to as the woman at the well. During the conversation between the woman at the well and Jesus, she said to Him, “I know that the Messiah is coming (who is called Christ). When He comes, He will tell us all things.” Jesus then told her, “I who speak to you am He” (John 4:25-26).
- First person to evangelize that the Christ has come was a woman – After talking to Jesus, the woman at the well went into town and told the men of the city, “Come, see a man who told me everything I have ever done. Could this be the Christ?” (John 4:29). And many of the Samaritans of that city believed in Him for the saying of the woman, which testified, “He told me all that ever I did” (John 4:39).
- First person where Jesus tells someone they were healed because of their faith was a woman – We do not know the name of this lady. We know her as the woman with the issue of blood. This woman had suffered for twelve years with this issue. When she had heard of Jesus and all the things He could do, she believed that if only she could touch His garment, she would be healed. When she did so, her bleeding stopped immediately. Jesus, aware that power had gone out from Him, asked who had touched Him. The woman came forward, and Jesus said to her, “Daughter, your faith has made you well. Go in peace and be healed of your affliction” (Mark 5:25-34).
- First people to see that the tomb of Jesus was empty were women – Mary Magdalene and other women went to the tomb to anoint Jesus’ body with spices. When they got there, they saw that the stone covering the entrance was rolled away, and they encountered angels who told them that Jesus was alive. This event is recorded in all four Gospels (Matthew 28:1-6, Mark 16:1-6, Luke 24:1-6, John 20:1).
- First person to see Jesus after He had risen from death was a woman – Mary Magdalene was standing outside the tomb, weeping. She looked into the tomb and saw two angels. They said to her, “Why are you weeping?” She said, “Because they have taken away my Lord, and I do not know where they have laid Him.” When she turned around, she saw Jesus, but at first, she did not recognize Him until He spoke her name (John 20:11-16).
- First person to tell anyone that Jesus is ascending to God was a woman – After Mary Magdalene recognized Jesus, He told her to go and tell His brethren that He was ascending to His Father and theirs and to His God and theirs (John 20:17).
- First person given to man by God to be a helper for him was a woman – From the beginning, God recognized that man needed help. The LORD God said, “It is not good that man should be alone; I will make him a helper comparable to him.” The term “helper” (Hebrew: ezer) does not imply inferiority. It signifies a complementary relationship where the woman was designed to work alongside the man, providing support, companionship, and partnership in fulfilling God’s purposes (Genesis 2:18).
These stories are not just historical accounts; they are invitations for us to reflect on the enduring significance of women in the narrative of faith. They challenge us to consider how these roles continue to shape our understanding of Christianity today.
As we ponder the profound roles these women played, let’s share this message of recognition. Here’s how you can engage further
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