February 7 A Woman in Jesus

Esther 2:1-4 After these things, when the anger of King Ahasuerus had abated, he remembered Vashti and what she had done and what had been decreed against her. 2 Then the king’s young men who attended him said, “Let beautiful young virgins be sought out for the king. 3 And let the king appoint officers in all the provinces of his kingdom to gather all the beautiful young virgins to the harem in Susa the capital, under custody of Hegai, the king’s eunuch, who is in charge of the women. Let their cosmetics be given them. 4 And let the young woman who pleases the king be queen instead of Vashti.” This pleased the king, and he did so.
 
WE continue from yesterday as we looked at the ways women were dishonored in Persia. In contrast to this sin, let’s see the ways Jesus honored women, how he rescues women from such evil as described in this Scripture.
    As you are a woman in Christ, give special thanks for the ways he loves and honors you. No other religion gives such honor to women as does the true gospel of our God. When we look to history and to today, we see the manner in which many men have formed and proclaimed their own revelations from God. Those false religions always put women into a lower class. Separation and dominance is the reality of our sin nature. Outside of the Bible and a true reading of Holy Scripture, women are treated as less than men at best. At its worst, too many cultures see women only as property to be used at a man’s desire. Nowhere in Scripture does God designate women into the category of property or being less than a man. As he formed Eve out of Adam’s rib, he formed woman to be alongside the man. He formed woman to complete the man in a loving, one-flesh relationship through marriage. Men and women are to love and respect each other.
    Read carefully God’s law and see how it defends and protects a woman’s value. Our Lord put great restrictions on sexual abuse (See Leviticus 18-20). God’s rule gives widows the means to receive food and shelter (See Ruth). Jesus ministered to women to restore them from poverty, sickness, demon possession and sin (John 4 & 8).  And our Savior upheld and defended the sanctity of marriage (Matthew 19). In addition, the Apostles celebrated the ways God had gifted women to minister the gospel (See Romans 16). In coming days, I’ll focus on such teachings as Ephesians 5:22 Wives, submit to your own husbands, as to the Lord.”  to see how this is also God’s way for a woman to be honored.
    Men, what women are in your life? Thank God for them. Be as Christ to them. Honor them with a patient, kind love. Women, do you know how deeply your Lord loves you? Honor his love. Live chaste and pure in his sight. If there is some sin in your life that continues to accuse you and cause you shame, give it up to Jesus. Understand he died that you might be free in his forgiveness.
 
Prayer: Father God, you formed them “male and female (you) created them.” (Gen 1:27). Grant us faith to live honoring one another. In Jesus’ name, amen.