Acts 17:1-4
English Standard Version (ESV)
17 Now when they had
passed through Amphipolis and Apollonia, they came to Thessalonica, where there
was a synagogue of the Jews. 2 And Paul went in, as was his
custom, and on three Sabbath days he reasoned with them from the Scriptures, 3 explaining
and proving that it was necessary for the Christ to suffer and to rise from the
dead, and saying, “This Jesus, whom I proclaim to you, is the Christ.” 4 And
some of them were persuaded and joined Paul and Silas, as did a great many of
the devout Greeks and not a few of the leading women.
Paul and Silas
are once again going to the synagogue to proclaim the power of Jesus Christ,
and as you may note, they are winning some of the Jews over. It appears that He tried reasoning with them
and provided them proof through scripture the importance of Christ suffering
and that it was necessary for Him to rise from the dead. I would imagine many of them were arguing
that if He was really the Christ this should not have happened to Him. As Paul explained this some of the Jews joined him, however, many Greeks and not a few
leading women also joined him.
I have to wonder
why, so often, women are mentioned as a word of importance in the Bible. Jesus spoke to the Samaritan woman at the
well who went and brought others to hear the Good News of Jesus. Peter in shackles went to the house of Mary,
where believers were gathered to pray, when he was miraculously rescued from
prison. Then there was Lydia, whom Paul
and Silas made sure to visit just prior to leaving the city, where they were
wrongfully imprisoned. Women were
important in Bible days and they are important in the ministry today. I don’t think there are many people who would
argue that point.
Yet, why is it
that even today woman are downgraded and of less importance than a man, in
ministry? God made both man and woman to
bring Him glory and honor. Galations 3:
28 tells us, There
is neither Jew nor Greek, there
is neither slave nor free, there
is no male and female, for you are all one in Christ
Jesus. Yet in the church
that is not the case. If you are female
you get to prepare meals and wash dishes.
You can teach Sunday School but only to the children. Only the children? This is the most impressionable time in a
person’s life where faith begins. 2 And
calling to him a child, he put him in the midst of them 3 and
said, “Truly, I say to you, unless you turn and become
like children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven. 4 Whoever humbles himself like this child is the
greatest in the kingdom of heaven. Yet, it
seems that women in the church are only allowed to teach the children. Once they are older, the men take over. I do feel honored that this great
responsibility is placed on the women.
Yet I have to think that maybe this is just not a task that the men want
to do. It is so much more enriching in
their eyes to lead a discussion with adults. Why bother with the children, the
women can do it? Well men, if you feel
that way, you are missing out on wonderful opportunities of seeing God work through
children. I have taught them for many
years but they continue to teach me. I
have to wonder still, why it seems so important that only men can teach the
adults, if they are so much more knowledgeable then they should be teaching the
children.
I have struggled with
this for many years. I believe God works
through, speaks to, and anoints women.
Christ did it while He was here.
No, women were not amongst the 12 chosen but that might have been a
little awkward and scandalous to be living amongst men. Yet, He continually chose women to be a part
of His ministry. In fact, He
reprimanded Martha for being too busy in
the kitchen to enjoy His company. Luke
10:38-42 38 Now as
they went on their way, Jesus[a] entered a village. And a woman named Martha
welcomed him into her house. 39 And she had
a sister called Mary, who sat at the Lord's feet and listened to his teaching.
40 But Martha was distracted with much serving.
And she went up to him and said, “Lord, do you not care that my sister has left
me to serve alone? Tell her then to help me.” 41 But
the Lord answered her, “Martha, Martha, you are anxious
and troubled about many things, 42 but
one thing is necessary.[b] Mary has chosen the good portion, which
will not be taken away from her.” (https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Luke+10%3A38-42&version=ESV). Way too often we women
busy ourselves in the kitchen because that is what society has told us we need
to do. Yet, Jesus tells us to choose
Him, to worship Him, to fellowship with Him amongst others. All too often we listen to society rather
than to God.
At one point I wanted to
be able to lead an adult Bible study and now I rarely even want to participate
in the discussion of one. Why? Because society has told me that I am not good
enough because I am a woman. I feel more at home in the Children’s Sunday
School class and in the kitchen.
Why is it that woman can
“only” teach the children? Why is it
that woman are the only ones found in the kitchen, working? Tell me again, what makes a man a better
adult teacher?
As you seek Him today,
remember, He uses each of us for His service.
It does not matter, male or female, He cares for you and expects you to
give Him the praise, glory and honor that He so deserves. He expects you to serve Him where He has led
you. Do so with gladness and a happy
heart and allow others the same opportunity.
Seek Him and know that He is God.
Seeking Him with all my
heart,
Sheila
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