Confront the Scandal of Our Prejudices—Part 9
Sharing the Burden
A passage like John 4 reveals the racism of New Testament times as we see the Samaritan woman responding to Christ, “How can You ask me for a drink?” John, the author adds in parentheses: “(for Jews do not associate with Samaritans).” But Jesus did anyway (v. 9).
Also revealing is verse 27 of that chapter. When the disciples returned to the scene, the Scriptures record, they were surprised, not that Jesus was talking to a Samaritan, but that our Lord was conversing with a woman!
I believe we still have lessons to learn from Christ on this matter. In Luke 8, referring to Jesus’ travels from one town and village to another, we read, “The Twelve were with Him, and also some women” (vv. 1-2). The passage names three of them: Mary Magdalene, Susanna, and Joanna. Joanna’s husband, Cuza, was the manager of Herod’s household. So the wife of the king’s steward was traveling with Jesus as He preached!
According to Luke 8:3, “These women were helping to support them [the disciples] out of their own means.” Ministry requires money, and apparently a lot of it was being provided by the women who traveled with Christ.
Contrary to the practices of the day, Jesus opened up places of service like this for women. It was risky. There could have been a lot of misunderstandings about women traveling with His ministry team. But Jesus did’’t exclude them. I believe we too need to open up more places for women to use their special resources for kingdom work.
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Sunday’s coming. Do you have your sermon ready? Is it relevant? Will it effectively motivate your congregation to walk more in step with the Master? What about that Sermon Series you’ve been thinking about?
Or, if you’re someone who plans well ahead, have you asked yourself what you will preach for your Easter Sermon, your Advent Sermon, your Christmas Sermon?
David Mains and Mainstay Ministries can help. We offer a wide variety of Sermon Starters and Full Sermons that will give you Sermon Ideas to help you prepare for regular Saturday or Sunday sermons, Mid-week Bible Sermons, and Sermons for special occasions.
We also offer assistance as you create Topical Sermons, Sermons Series, and sermons for special times of the year. We have resources available to help you with Advent Celebrations, Advent Sermons, Christmas Sermons, Easter Sunday Sermons, Patriotic Sermons, and more.
For more information on how to create better Bible Sermons and how to turn Sermon Ideas into Sermon Outlines, and then into effective, meaningful Sunday Sermons, please click here to visit David Mains’ website.
You will also find a variety of resources for pastors and congregations at the Mainstay Ministries website. Just click here.
