It always amazes me when I hear about "the war on women" in the U.S. and all I can think is, "what war???" There used to be a time when women were only allowed in the kitchen or in the bedroom...whether they liked it, or not. In some countries, customs, religions and traditions, this is still the case. But it also amazes me that even in the places where customs and traditions want to KEEP women subjugated, there are still some honorable men who know the value of ALL human beings. These men today, follow in the tradition of Jesus.
During the time that Jesus walked the earth as a man (7–2 BC to AD 30–33), he came from a culture and society that did not consider women to hold equal value to men. Women could be owned and a woman without a husband who was of marrying age was most certainly considered either a burden to others (such as a widow) or a prostitute. A woman could only be recognized for her merits through her husband. However, Jesus was different than those in his culture and must have seemed like a true enigma to the women who knew him. He truly cared for women...valued women...respected women...and tried to show others how to do the same.
Today at church our pastor gave a BEAUTIFUL sermon...one of his best, yet. He talked about the things that captivate us. To be "captivated" means for your attention to be held in such a way that nothing else is as interesting or can hold your attention, desire or devotion. But even if something is so very captivating to YOU, the same object or ideals might not be captivating to someone else.
The pastor mentioned how the 12 disciples of Jesus all witnessed His many, many miracles. They were probably ALL amazed at the things they saw Him do. He said that there is that saying that "seeing is believing," however, that saying many times is not true in-and-of-itself. Why? Because even though thousands saw the miracles of Christ, some chose not to follow...whether out of fear for their lives for going with such radical ideas in their day (such as respecting women and loving them and treating them with dignity and kindness), or whether they feared the wrath of the current-day religious leaders or the Roman government -- some chose not to be captivated.
Judas was one of the 12. He saw all the miracles Jesus performed, but in the case of Judas, money was far too tempting. To him, his social standing and lust for money and power was more important to his heart, than everlasting life or the plans Jesus had for all who believed in Him. Judas seemed to love power and prestige and at first, he thought Jesus would bring him these things, is my personal belief. But when he saw that Jesus was not some politician who was only out to gain prosperity and a high rank in society for himself and for those who followed him, but instead fought for the rights of those who no one else would fight for...when Judas saw that the Roman government and the high Jewish priests at the time saw Jesus as a threat, Judas chose the easier road that would give him a personal advantage (or one that he, at least, thought would benefit him personally, at the time). Judas had his heart in the wrong place. No one but God knows why Judas betrayed Jesus -- the only man who did nothing wrong to Judas, other than truly love him. Even as Jesus was dying on the cross He forgave all of those who persecuted Him as He said to the Father in Heaven, "Father forgive them for they know not what they do" (Luke 23:34).
Jesus was so far beyond His time. His ideas seemed so radical to those who heard them at the time -- especially His views on women (and children) and how they should be treated. Shortly before Jesus' last days on earth, a man known as "Simon the Leper" hosted a meal at his house for Jesus. Judas and other disciples were at the event, as well. A woman entered their place of meeting, which was considered a social faux pas, if she was not there to serve the food. Jesus was reclining at the table (as this is how men ate around a low table in those days, in Jesus' culture). It was also the tradition to take off your shoes before entering the host's home, as to not bring in dirt and sand from the roads. The woman began anointing the feet of Jesus with (spike)nard from an alabaster jar -- a very expensive ointment that was known to cost a whole year's wage. As she did this, she wept over the feet of Jesus. As her tears hit his feet, she dried them with her hair. Jesus was touched. The others were offended.
The event was documented in the Bible in the book of Luke as such: "When the Pharisee who had invited him saw this, he said to himself, "If this man were a prophet, he would know who is touching him and what kind of woman she is--that she is a sinner." Jesus answered him, "Simon, I have something to tell you." "Tell me, teacher," he said. Two people owed money to a certain moneylender. One owed him five hundred denarii, and the other fifty. Neither of them had the money to pay him back, so he forgave the debts of both. Now which of them will love him more?" Simon replied, "I suppose the one who had the bigger debt forgiven." "You have judged correctly," Jesus said. Then he turned toward the woman and said to Simon, "Do you see this woman? I came into your house. You did not give me any water for my feet, but she wet my feet with her tears and wiped them with her hair. You did not give me a kiss, but this woman, from the time I entered, has not stopped kissing my feet. You did not put oil on my head, but she has poured perfume on my feet. Therefore, I tell you, her many sins have been forgiven -- as her great love has shown. But whoever has been forgiven little loves little." (Luke 36-47).
Captivated. Many were captivated by Jesus. Many were curious. Others were angered, as they did not want their worlds and antiquated views to have to change. It is sad to me when I hear people say that Christians are so "old-fashioned" when I think of Jesus as being far ahead of his time. He was a champion for woman's rights and the rights of children before there were any laws that protected them! There are numerous examples of how he shed light on issues of the day that needed to be changed -- especially the rights of women and children. So if "old-fashioned" means being in a relationship where the sanctity of marriage is honored, and the man follows God's COMMAND when he says to the husband, "Husbands, love your wives, just as Christ loved the church and gave himself up for her." (Ephesians 5:25), I'll take it! If being "old-fashioned" means saving oneself before marriage for one man (and the man for one woman) who will honor, love and cherish as they grow together to truly find out what TRUE love is all about, I'll take it! If being "old-fashioned" means loving a God who understands the heart of a woman, and the value of her strengths and weaknesses as she is the perfect help-mate for the man, I'll take it! Why? Because my Lord and God has captivated me, because HIS love is perfect...even if I'm not. He has accepted me...my faults, my dirty secrets, my failures and my victories...always. I am His and He is mine and with Him, I can never go wrong.
Blessings on you and yours. May you grow to love Him if you don't already know Him...and may He captivate your heart the way He continues to captivate mine each and every day.
