Horizons magazine is published by Presbyterian Women (PW) the national women’s organization of the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.).
Issue link: http://horizons.epubxp.com/i/481579
6 Persuasive, Beautiful and Faithful A number of biblical women have b een viewed as sources of distraction and/or contributors to the demise of men. Eve, for example, gives Adam the fruit (which he eats!). And Adam does not appear to resist, despite having been given the same rules and knowing the consequences (Gen. 3:6). Delilah coaxes Samson into revealing his source of strength, saying "How can you say you love me, when you won't take me into your confidence?" (Judg. 16:15). She then gives this information to the Philistines, who want to defeat Sam- son. Other biblical women seem to be of note primarily for their beauty. King Artaxerxes banishes the beauti- ful Queen Vashti when she refuses to parade herself. The king then selects his new bride—Esther— based on her appearance. These women's persuasiveness, cunning or beauty may be inter- preted negatively. Yet, if we look at these traits from another angle, these women proved themselves to be influential and brave enough to out- maneuver their counterparts to get what they wanted. Esther, for exam- ple, uses her beauty to save the Jew- ish people from annihilation. And who can leave the Old Tes- tament without celebrating the out- standing leadership of Miriam? She completes the Exodus leadership trio with Moses and Aaron, and sings and dances in celebration of God's guiding the Israelites safely through the Red Sea (Ex. 15:20–21). And, of course, Ruth and Naomi are the epitome of fortitude and commit- ment to family (Ruth 1–4). Saved by Faith Throughout the gospels, Jesus looks beyond women's surface appearances, statuses and actions, and invites them into community. In a culture where women were seen as less than men, Jesus repeatedly affirms women and shows them their specific gifts and purposes. In Mark 5:25–34, Jesus encoun- ters the woman who suffered 12 years of menstrual bleeding. He ignores the purity codes—a major transgression—that would have him avoid her, and cures her, saying her faith made her well. Jesus also affirms the woman "who had a low reputa- tion," who washes Jesus' feet with her tears and dries them with her hair (Lk. 7:37). Jesus further uses her response to him as a teaching moment for those gathered, saying: "Two people owed money to a creditor. One owed the creditor the equivalent of two years' worth of wages; the other, two months' wages. Both were unable to pay, so the creditor wrote off both debts. Which of them was more grateful to the money lender?" Simon answered, 'I suppose the one who owed more." Jesus said, "You are right." Turning to the woman, he said to Simon, "See t his woman? I came into your house and you gave me no water to wash my feet, but she has w ashed them with her tears and d ried them with her hair. You gave me no kiss of greeting, but she covered my feet with kisses. You didn't anoint my head with oil, but she anointed my feet with oil. For this reason, I tell you, her sins, which are many, have been forgiven—see how much she loves! But the one who is forgiven little, loves little." Then Jesus said to the woman, "Your sins are for- given." Those sitting at the table began to ask among themselves, "Who is this who even forgives sins?" Meanwhile Jesus said to her, "Your faith has saved you. Go in peace" (Lk. 7:41–50). These words must ring power- fully for everyone—male or female—who has been judged by others based on her (or his) past. "Your faith has saved you" from your past, Jesus says. "Go in peace" and don't let your past hold you back. Welcomed to the Gospel Jesus engages not only Israelite women who are sinners, but foreign women, too. In Matthew 15:22–28, Jesus initially ignores the Canaanite woman. As Canaanites were the Israelites' traditional enemies, Jesus does not see them as part of his mis- sion. But because the Canaanite woman has such faith, he delivers her daughter from demon-possession. His encounter with the Samari- tan woman at the well in John 4 warrants more reflection. In their discourse, she expresses surprise An outcast woman defies law and cultural norms to reach for Jesus' healing touch. Art by Stephen Schildbach from the PW/Horizons Bible study, The Face Is Familiar. (See Resources sidebar on page 8 for ordering information.)