No more.

No more.

No more silence.

From us.

The women.

For we have always had much to say.

Much to promote. Much to contribute.

Yet. Lacking room on the big stage there is.

For women like us.

No more.

No more silence.

So much knowledge. So much intelligence. So much beauty.

So much.

So much.

To offer.

We must stand up. Rise up. Join the global cry.

No more. No more...silence.

Silence. Yet deafening. Juxtapositions everywhere.

The stage is big enough for us too.

Big enough to hold our strength.

To hold our experience.

Female experience.

Female voice.

Female.

The stage may enjoy our fresh presence. Our perspective. Our power. Our voices.

For they are strong. Strong they are. Powerful. Powerful they are.

Together we must make space. For us.

The women.

Words have alluded me recently. Trying to catch them like a frantic butterfly catcher. Although the idea of capturing nature saddens me. Grasping at their wings. My thoughts flying round like a floppy monarch. Ever elusive. Words, the thing that liberates and at the same time can make one feel completely caged. As seen from the poem, this blog will be different. These are the tricklings of my current frustrations. Lashings of my anger, reverence and disappointments.

...

I’m sick of the patriarchy that has constantly restricted and oppressed for millennia. I’m done. I believe that Jesus was ‘done’ 2000 years ago too. Yet, here we are still discussing the same infuriating things. Like predominantly female filled churches predominantly led by men. Societies and Churches governed by archaic systems and rules. Time and again my cheeks are wet from the abuses we suffer, the pain we carry, the constant waves of affliction that surround us. On every side we are crushed. In every facet of society we are squeezed and life bled out of us. A question that fills my mind at the moment is, why is The Church so behind? When our leader, our God came to earth to trample down the mountains that divided people. Why are we dealing with problems that were shown a solution literally thousands of years ago? I can’t get my head around that. That women were shown equality, acceptance, inclusion, and ultimately given a purpose, a name, a role! Jesus, the Christian fulcrum - epitome - cornerstone... Jesus championed women. He used them as powerful changers and shakers. That surely cannot be denied. Why then, do we struggle to mirror that in our communities? Why are women's voices drowned out? Why have women been removed or rubbed out in our history books? In our own church traditions and doctrines? What is it about women that caused the patriarchy to deliberately do this? The more disturbing thing to consider is whether they did it deliberately, or whether it was that women really meant so little. One of my closest friends is an RE teacher, the other day she was teaching on gender equality in Christianity. Apparently, the class were having a debate over whether women should speak in Church - referring of course to Paul's teachings. They went on to blame Christianity for inequality. As someone who greatly values exegetical study, contextual theology and anthropological reference, it breaks my heart when these discussions are had time and again without mature, academic direction. So, we can count on those constant misinterpretations being passed down time and again to the next generation. Hence, creating an ongoing erasing, muting and silencing of women. Of course, being a pretty broken idealist, this is not the world we live in. It is people's own journey of enlightenment that must lead them to find out who Jesus is and what he stood for. That should not be controlled, but I believe deliberate choices can be made. Choosing female authors in our work, seeking out an alternative worldview from our own for example. These things would add depth and texture to our outlooks. Ultimately, including powerful and necessary voices into our conversations, our reflections.

So, with the constant billowing injustice surrounding women why is the term 'feminist' considered in some Christian circles a dirty word? I admit, I'm cautious to say I’m a feminist because of the kind of images that are evoked in people’s minds. The fact that I am that caught up on whether my own opinions could cause offence demonstrates how ingrained this 'silencing' is (See Mary Beard's Women & Power). The millennial that apparently I am, stands firm that we live in an age of spectrums, sliding scales and extremes. When I say I am a feminist. I side with the dictionary definition that says equal opportunities for women. I do not need to defend that definition. I believe in it. Completely. Albeit, a different understanding perhaps to the societies we live in. An amphibious feminist, perhaps. But a feminist all the same.

I’ve just had the incredible honour of having spent the weekend at a conference specifically for women that work in Missiology. Being surrounded by women from varied spheres, seeing the world through different lenses working in different academic and practical fields was awe-inspiring. A lot of tough topics were discussed, such as the horrifically gruesome stories of the OT women, the risk those experience on the mission field and abuse.  It was a painful reminder of the constant broken femaleness we are surrounded by. Regarding the OT tales, I’m often too emotionally drained to even read those stories. But when I dare to read them I scan the text for a happy ending. I seek a good finale. I crave a rich justice in response to their blood shed. Instead, I am faced with nothing. No happy endings there. How does that make a 21st century female feel? When these stories are just as true today as they were then. Women are still being treated the same! That’s what turns my stomach. Something that came up after this was that these stories can be used as a gateway into these heartbreaking issues. They can aid those conversations and rid people of undeserved shame. When these topics are raised, resources are required to provide suitable support. Is it a priority? It should be.

What about the fact that these women are present in the narrative? In a time when women were of such low status that they were hardly worth mentioning, it is important that they are present. The women often display exemplary behaviour which sometimes contrasts against their male counterparts. One of my heros Mary Evans writes about the rather frightening book of Judges  

"I think Judges was written to explicitly say, ‘This is not how it was meant to be.’ And when you come to the passages of women being raped or kidnapped – just terrible stuff – but accept that the writer is presenting a view of society that was not how it was meant to be, then the way women were treated is actually seen as the epitome of the awfulness of society.”

I find this a more helpful view of the horrors, we should not hide from the atrocities but rather recognise this was humanity at its worst and that it is not OK for it to continue. The oppression of women is a stamp of brokenness, etched into our societies and complacency is an uninvited guest. I often try to weigh it all in my head, I've studied and experienced enough of Jesus' grace to know that there are examples of how it is supposed to be, how Jesus fought the injustice. So, we have to carry this yoke, men and women.

Surrounded by this constant inadequacy gets me down. Most frustratingly... I’m not allowed to be angry! I’m not allowed to scream and shout at the injustice. Because that’ll make me a 'stereotypical' woman - ultimately one that is not taken seriously. Tragically...leaving me on the fringes of academic and 'serious' study. Crying is not on a par with anger for example. Anger is accepted. Perhaps it is more masculine. On that note, emotions are not monopolised by women, the Bible promotes the healthy process of lamentation. One third of the psalms is an outcry of intense emotional questioning. Expressing emotional depth is encouraged. Counter culture perhaps.

I am weary. I suppose. Although that changes between tiredness to fierce anger through the journey of time. After all, I am a human comprised of sliding scales and extremes. One minute I've had enough and the next I want to write a thousand books. I want to hear more female voices in my world. I'm tired of singing songs that include masculine pronouns which deliberately exclude women from worship. Poignantly, this experience allows me to somewhat empathise with many women in the Bible who were excluded from their communities and separated from God due to human-made boundaries. For example, the woman with the issue of blood (Luke 8:43-48). Due to the fact she was ‘unclean’ she would have been an outcast - cut off from society and temple worship. Also, consider the poor who were excluded from entering the temple to meet with God. How did Jesus respond to that? He turned the tables, he fought against the injustice that was keeping the poor separated from God. Jesus was angry. When pyramids prevent people from seeing Jesus, that's when we need to be afraid, because it should not be acceptable. Although a constant battle to believe I am of equal worth to my male counterparts, I truly believe deep down that women are part of something incredibly powerful, and unique. Something that is glorious. It feels trite. Rather contrived. But I have to believe there is something more than this for us.

The women.

Resources:

https://www.eternitynews.com.au/in-depth/the-church-should-be-sorry-for-what-we-tell-women-about-the-old-testament-scholar/

https://www.biblesociety.org.uk/explore-the-bible/shetoo/

Women and Power by Mary Beard (2017)

Luke 8: 1-3. The Marvellous Mary from Magdala

Mary of Magdalene: An example of faithful consistency

Luke 8:1-3

1 Soon afterward he went on through cities and villages, proclaiming and bringing the good news of the kingdom of God. And the twelve were with him, 2 and also some women who had been healed of evil spirits and infirmities: Mary, called Magdalene, from whom seven demons had gone out, 3 and Joanna, the wife of Chuza, Herod's household manager, and Susanna, and many others, who provided for them out of their means

Let’s start with context  

In Bible times people would often be identified according to their closest male relative in place of their surnames e.g. John the son Zebedee. In Mary’s case she is named after her town called Magdala which indicates that she was a prominent figure in this town. Magdala is on the western shore of Galilee and It was a prosperous fishing town, so Mary was likely financially independent.

We are first introduced to Mary of Magdala in Luke 8 where she heads up the list of women who support Jesus’s ministry (because she has money). She is the second most mentioned woman in the New Testament after Mary the mother of Jesus (Not the same person!) Mary is often introduced in a list with other women, she is almost always the first in the list. This shows her prominence and the importance of her role in her community as a leader among the women.

We find that she has been healed of 7 demons. 7 is a meaningful number, it is the biblical number for completeness, this shows the severity of her oppression … her torment is complete and so is her liberation. This complete liberation is key in her story.

Something that struck me was the reputation that Mary has. It broke my heart to read time and again of how Mary has been branded a prostitute. There is no evidence for this in the Bible. It is tragic that a woman who played such an important role in the birth of Christianity is so often misrepresented.

When was this misinterpretation born?

Pope Gregory the Great, from 6th century thought Mary Magdalene was the woman in Luke 7.

The story in Luke 7 is set in the house of a pharisee and is about a sinful woman who washes Jesus’ feet with perfume using her hair and tears, much to the dismay of the pharisee. The woman is not named and we don’t know what sin she has committed- just that she is sinful. Jesus’ response to the situation is to show the woman grace and to rebuke the pharisee.

Gregory speculated that the perfume the woman used to annoint Jesus’ feet was once used to ‘perfume her body in forbidden acts’ insinuating that she was a prostitute. Additionally the portrayal of Mary Magdalene in ancient art commonly shows her with long unbound hair, mirroring the woman in Luke 7. 

There are 2 reasons why this speculation makes no sense. Firstly, the sin of the woman in Luke 7 is unknown, so nothing to indicate that she is a prostitute. Secondly, She is unnamed, so no indication that she is Mary Magdalene. If that isn’t enough to clear her name then take a look at Luke 8! So, if Mary was the woman in Luke 7, then why is she now being introduced as a new character?!

Mary was a leader - Not a prostitute. She was set free from complete Oppression.

What does she do with her newfound freedom? She follows Jesus and she financially supports his mission. This is incredible. There was something about Jesus that drew Mary. Jesus had healed her and now we see this beautiful response.

Mary was in all likelihood a respected figure in her community who was expected to maintain a certain dignity. In the first century, this would have been in domestic sphere. However, she leaves her town of Magdala to travel alongside Jesus in the public sphere. She surrendered the security that comes from meeting social expectations to follow Jesus, this would have been scandalous!

Imagine how uncomfortable it would be for you to give up your social status right now?

Society now, just as back then has very specific expectations on how you should behave and sometimes God calls us to a life that goes in a completely different direction.
Sacrificing our social standing is terrifying.


To be able to this we need to be truly free, as Mary was free.

Luke 8:1-3 shows us the adventure of being with Jesus. He is ministering to every town and village in Galilee and Mary is along for the ride. She has freedom to fully engage in this adventure because she is convinced that this is the best possible investment of her attention, her money and her time.

The adventure of following Jesus is open to all of us but……. how much of it do we miss out on because we are only partially engaged? Looking down at our phones, instead of focussing on the one who brings complete freedom.

This was also a time of training. Mary was being prepared to be the ‘last to leave the cross and the first to arrive at the tomb.
In the christian walk we are often very excited when we first meet Jesus. He has set us free and now we are living a new life. Much like Mary in Luke 8.

However, this initial enthusiasm and passion is not enough to carry us through our whole life.

I grew up on a farm and so I have always had a love for nature and the things we can learn from creation.

The other day I was talking to my grandad about the crops that had been grown on the farm back in the summer. He shared that maize/corn cob had been one of those crops. Maize, starts off like any plant, with a weak supple stalk, if storm was to hit at this point the maize would not be able to stand, it would be crushed. Grandad shared something fascinating that he had noticed while the maize was growing. Following a very wet and blustery week of stormy weather he saw how the maize had begun to grow out extra scaffolding roots, some of these roots were quite far up the stalk. He shared that the maize was under such great stress from the weather that it needed extra support otherwise it would have collapsed and died. The analogy of the maize shows us that these extra roots supported the maise so it was able to withstand bigger storms and stronger winds.

This reminds me of Mary’s faith here. Was she ready in Luke 8 to be the last to leave the cross? Most probably not. She needed a time of preparation a time for growing roots. A time of strengthening for what was to come.

In the crucifixion accounts (show slide) in the gospels Mary is present. She has been a faithful apostle on the adventure with Jesus. She has followed him throughout his ministry. Now Mary witnesses her great adventure being publicly executed by the state. How do you think she felt in that moment? she had surrendered everything for this man. All her eggs were in this one basket.

We cannot know for sure what was going on in Mary’s heart but we do know what she did with her feet. She stayed to the bitter end. Mary is consistent.

What does that perhaps stir up in us?

How consistent am I in seeking Jesus when things are really hard? In my own life I have found that my struggles left me cynical. For a long time I found it hard to go to church, or to listen to a sermon without disagreeing with it.

In dealing with my struggles I spoke to a very wise and patient friend, she told me.... Beke, Jesus can handle your disappointments, Jesus can still use you despite your inconsistencies and your ups and downs, doubts and fears. He can handle your questioning, your anger and he welcomes you into his embrace when we don’t know what to say or pray.

Perhaps I relate more to the disciples here, scared of being exposed, afraid of being isolated or judged for what I believe. Wherever we are at the moment in our faith, the beauty of Jesus is that he is for everyone, his grace is waiting to be poured out to you, regardless of your doubts.

I am sure that following the crucifixion Mary would have had some major doubts of her own. Going back to the maise analogy it is during storms that faith is grown and put to the test...Mary may have been tempted to run from the ordeal of a fierce storm of testing. But her feet didn’t move.

Three days later her heart would still have been in ruins as she approached Jesus tomb.
Early that morning Mary set out for the tomb, with nothing to offer, except her simple devotion. Yet her simple offering of showing up is all that Jesus needs to work with.

In Luke the angels do not tell the Mary to go and tell the men but rather she is told to remember what Jesus had previously taught her!

There is this assumption that Mary had heard Jesus’ previous teachings. She was there! Sitting at her Rabbi’s feet! Listening! And she demonstrates her faithfulness once again by remembering what Jesus had said. Mary is confirmed in her discipleship, because she remembers Jesus’ words!

In a time when a woman’s witness was not counted in a court of law Jesus decided to entrust a woman with the ultimate truth. In doing so he redeemed women, then and now. As a result We have the assurance that the female experience and the female voice are valid expressions of faith.

I am moved. Everything God does has such significance and powerful repercussions. As we draw to a close I want to underline the significance of mary’s witness of Jesus’ resurrection and the fact that Jesus came and flattened pyramids that brought injustice and separated people from God, one of those was gender. Where women were commonly denied education Jesus used them as examples of faith, and discipled them!

Mary is turning up to grieve and let go of Jesus. Probably expecting to get some closure. Yet Jesus has much better plans in store. Mary is chosen to be the key witness to the most powerful climactic moment in history because she was present, when being present would have taken every ounce of faith she had left.

Jesus appears to her before anyone else and entrusts her with the most important message ever delivered.

In that moment when Mary is entirely spent Jesus redeems her, along with all of us.

The Nativity: LUKE 2:1-7

Christmas is nearly upon us and therefore it’s time for people to send Christmas cards (does that still happen?!) and another Christmas goes by with the same nativity scenes in Church and on the cards. I’m sure you can picture it now.


A ramshackle stable in the middle of nowhere ✓
Snow ✓
Stars ✓
Furry farm animals ✓
An angel or three ✓
Jesus in a manger of straw ✓
A curious onlooking robin?! ✓
Mary dressed in blue - ✓


It is the image I’ve grown up seeing and therefore accepting as the image of 'The Christmas’ story. The west has hogged a particular view of what the nativity scene looks like, but unfortunately it is not faithful to a near east first century context. In this blog I want to set a few common misunderstandings around the Christmas story straight with the help of expert Kenneth Bailey.


The Birth of Jesus Christ

In those days a decree went out from Caesar Augustus that all the world should be registered. 2 This was the first registration when[a]Quirinius was governor of Syria. 3 And all went to be registered, each to his own town. 4 And Joseph also went up from Galilee, from the town of Nazareth, to Judea, to the city of David, which is called Bethlehem, because he was of the house and lineage of David, 5 to be registered with Mary, his betrothed,[b] who was with child. 6 And while they were there, the time came for her to give birth. 7 And she gave birth to her firstborn son and wrapped him in swaddling cloths and laid him in a manger, because there was no place for them in the inn.[c]


One of the common understandings we have of the nativity is that Mary and Joseph didn’t have anywhere to stay in Bethlehem. In school productions I am sure we’re all familiar of a nasty hasty inn keeper squawking that the ‘inn’ was full. However, in a first century context, hospitality was incredibly important. Nothing would bring more shame than to turn away guests from your home, or not be able to host them. So, immediately the idea that Mary and Joseph were scurrying around trying to find somewhere to stay does not add up. Joseph was from the line of King David. Bailey (2008, p. 25) states “ In the Middle East, historical memories are long and the extended family, with its connection to its village of origin is important. In such a world a man like Joseph could have appeared in Bethlehem, and told people 'I am Joseph, son of Heli, Son of Matthat, the son of Levi' and most homes in town would be open to him." Within this culture the process of childbirth was sacred and there would have been specific processes to follow. Women would never go through something like this alone especially within a collectivist culture. Bethlehem was also not far from Elizabeth and Zechariah's home. So the slim chance Mary may had been alone, then surely they would have called upon Elizabeth. In an individualistic culture like ours it is important to consistently look back at Scripture to correct our views.


I gave my little fist sized heart to Jesus when I was four years old, the date: the 17th of November 1995. I grew up in an extremely close Christian home and my parents taught me a lot about what was right and wrong according to their own understanding of the Bible and knowledge of God’s character. Yet, nothing we read is set apart from our own narratives, our own stories. Everything we read is filtered through a lens. A lens that has been shaped by our upbringings, our culture, our media, and our own opinions. When I went off to Bible College, everything I knew- or thought I knew was deconstructed. So much of what I believed was wrapped up in the message my parents had taught me. It was painful, finding out for myself what faith was all about. I saw God differently, I see differently now. Despite, the pain and insecurity it brought up, part of becoming a believer is going back to the source and learning for yourself what the message is. Ah I feel a critique coming on. Rereading what I have written just highlights my western worldview, my very individualistic understanding...everything I have written is centred around my faith. Finding my own ‘understanding’. I guess that just stresses even more how important it is to go back to the pure source of God and his word. Which is made even more powerful and clear if read and dissected in community! Mary and Joseph were not alone either. They did not go through this experience alone or isolated.



2 In those days a decree went out from Caesar Augustus that all the world should be registered. 2 This was the first registration when[a]Quirinius was governor of Syria. 3 And all went to be registered, each to his own town. 4 And Joseph also went up from Galilee, from the town of Nazareth, to Judea, to the city of David, which is called Bethlehem, because he was of the house and lineage of David, 5 to be registered with Mary, his betrothed,[b] who was with child. 6 And while they were there, the time came for her to give birth. 7 And she gave birth to her firstborn son and wrapped him in swaddling cloths and laid him in a manger, because there was no place for them in the inn.[c]


So, was he actually born in a stable? The answer is no. Not the stable we think of. Firstly, let's address what an inn means in this context. It doesn’t mean a first century travelodge because the Ancient Greek for that is Pandocheion. Which is the word Luke uses to describe the place where the wounded man is taken to in the parable of the Good Samaritan. But rather Bailey states that in Ancient Greek the ‘inn’ used here translates to Katalyma which literally translates into ‘ a place to stay’ and can refer to any type of shelter. According to Luke’s use of the word, the Greek word is most likely referring to the upper room in the family house. As mentioned before within this context, hospitality and providing shelter to people was incredibly valued, so here it makes sense that there was no room in the guest room of the main house. Okay, so does this mean they were forced into the stable? No. As you can see by the diagram below. It was common for families to have a lower area off the main family room, where animals would be kept at night, to keep them safe and warm. This extra space would be used in the day and provide more space for the family. It is most probable that Jesus was born in that part of the house. Something that moves me with this image is that Jesus was born in a typical home. He was born into a particular context, a context that is not to be separated from him and we must try to understand it in this context too.








Now, who are the first people to visit Jesus? The shepherds. Shepherds were lowly people, those at the bottom of the social ladder and yet they are first at the manger. The angels explain that they will find Jesus WRAPPED in swaddling cloths and lying in a manger. Shepherds and peasants would do this with their new babies. Yet, here they were hearing that the long awaited Christ is appearing in the same way. This idea brings tears to my eyes. Jesus and his entrance into the world was one that was reaching those at the bottom of society and also those at the top...seen by the visit from the wise, with their gifts. Jesus came for all of humanity. His birth brought unity. His birth brought hope and meaning to the poor and the rich.

When I had the opportunity to study the Bible more and the importance of contextualisation it made me fall even more in love with Scripture and Jesus. When we read the scriptures with the lens of the time the significance of everything makes more sense. Yes, I cannot 'empathise' as much with it perhaps, but it makes reading it so much richer. So moving. Although, the image of the nativity scene in my head is not much changed, and it isn't necessarily a bad way of viewing it as it is, but it's important to be reminded of the dangers of misreading scripture, and reading things through western eyes that can cause us to stumble or misinterpret things.


If you want to find out more about the history of the nativity please check out Kenneth Bailey's book: Jesus through Middle Eastern Eyes: Cultural Studies in the Gospels (2008).

A lot of our misunderstanding of the nativity stems from a novel that was written 200 years after Jesus' birth called the 'Protevangelism of James.' The book was attacked as it was clear the writer had no idea about the geography of the Holy Land. Although I'd never heard of the book before now, it is crazy how influenced I have been by it. Read more about it in Bailey's book.

Luke 8:40-48

Luke 8:47-48

47 When the woman realized that she couldn’t remain hidden, she knelt trembling before him. In front of all the people, she blurted out her story—why she touched him and how at that same moment she was healed.

48 Jesus said, “Daughter, you took a risk trusting me, and now you’re healed and whole. Live well, live blessed!”

The further I move through my life I recognise that I have been hankering after one thing for most of my life.

When I was growing up in a large, loving and Durrell like family I didn’t need it so much. I went on to study at bible college where I lived with a large group of people, all different, all living side by side; Literally. I then got married and moved away from those people who had cracked me open and showed such love, compassion and authenticity. We moved to a small damp flat- it was then that I began to feel it. Loneliness. The hankering for community set in. We thought that people would want the same real, honest and messy relationships with us that we wanted with them. But, we were soon reminded that once you have lived with people in community it is very hard to find out here. We tried hard, but being intentional seems to be harder than we think.



I sit writing this in a coffee shop where everyone: literally everyone has their heads down, glaring at a screen, everyone here is sat alone. Myself included. Sat here writing about that fact. If you have had the opportunity to live in community then you will know that it is messy, frustrating and absolutely wonderful at the same time. I arrived at college really broken, scared of showing who I was, and fraying at the edges. Yet, over the days and weeks, people slowly demonstrated the grace and acceptance of Jesus and they didn’t let me slip through the net. So much intentionality, so much listening, so much laughter and the tears. Over the course of my 26 years I have spent time at 35 different churches. I grew up church hopping. I was so used to slipping through the net. Yet, here in my college community, as frustrating as it was at times, was a place of inclusion, refuge and acceptance. My faith was slowly restored and I even showed people my tattoo and opened up about my parent's divorce ( just two of the many things I was scared of showing the Christian world). Yet-I was welcomed with open arms. I understand community living is not all roses and I’m sure there are many who have had negative experiences it is this kind of microcosm, and it isn’t neat and tidy. I strongly feel that community is an incarnational gift from God. It is what we were made for. I don’t think we have to live together to experience authentic community but it needs to be intentional.



I think the challenge is making that the priority alongside the busy lives we all lead. I want to add here that one key element of community that was very present was the space for suffering in conversations, and room for lament in people’s lives. Most people didn’t shy away from the pain and terror we all experience at some point throughout life. This recognition of real life pain was sewn into the tapestry of the community. Hard things inevitably happen so let’s talk and pray about it rather than putting on a smile and saying ‘i’m fine’...to be honest no one would believe you if you said that anyway! They would sit and talk it through until you were ready to limp on again. 



How do you live out authentic community in an age where we try our hardest to make things look better than they are? In an age where people turn to technology instead of people?

Where do we find the time to lament? And we definitely should be...how do we even lament? Do we know where to start? Lament makes up nearly a third of the Psalms and the Bible does not shy away from pain, suffering and it clearly shows us every side of the human being. If community is to be real and incarnational then it needs to mirror the human soul -  there needs to be a recognition that we need to be able to come to God tell him our deepest troubles and disappointments. Therefore in a godly community that must also be something we feel we CAN do...be angry, upset, disappointed, and honest till it hurts. It is in these safe places we can also heal, talk things through and see the faithfulness of Jesus.



As this blog is ultimately about women in Luke. I want to draw attention to one of my heroines. The woman with the issue of blood in Luke 8:40-48. A story which has captivated me since I was a little girl. This lady would have been living in isolation for 12 years. In a culture where anything out of place (like blood outside of your body) was considered impure, she was an outcast of her own community. A time when community was your lifeblood. She was bound by her illness, she could not carry out any of her ‘female’ roles as she was ritually impure. Can you imagine how lonely her existence must have been. What would she have spent her days doing? 



The story starts with Jesus heading to the house of the pious Synagogue leader Jairus to heal his daughter…this man represented the laws of the temple. The climax of the story...the lady moves through the crowd….imagine the fear… she reaches out to Jesus’ tassels on his robe which were an outward sign of his association with the laws, and she is healed. The story zooms down to this woman and she becomes the centre of the story! Jesus talks to HER not the men, she SPEAKS to the crowd. Jesus demonstrates so much here. He is not made unclean by her, he brings justice to her situation and sets her free from the laws that had bound her due to the patriarchal application of them. Although they were designed to protect the weak.



Jesus gives this woman a package of freedom; freedom in all its fullness. He demonstrates holistic mission perfectly. The fact that this woman speaks of what Jesus has done and he encourages her to speak shows that he is establishing her back into her community. This had to happen out there- surrounded by the flock to which she used to belong. She is restored back into that community. What an incredible example she would have been to her community! The stories she would have told of the grace that Jesus had shown to her! Jesus first shows her dignity, he gives her an identity by calling her daughter, he restores her in her community and he heals her! BUT she is also used as an example of faith in direct contrast against the man in the story. A woman- a sick woman at that- one that was cast out- was used as an example. 



In hindsight, my beautiful communal experience was like living in a bubble. I needed it at the time, but I think we need to know how to build community without walls. Ultimately, we are called to bring the outsiders back in. We are to live out the grace of Jesus in our communities, showing those around us everyday the realness of our lives, the pains and the joys. The honesty brings restoration. The woman could have hidden, and stayed out of sight, stayed where she ‘belonged’ according to the laws, yet she had the courage to show her community who she was. Jesus- what a beautiful name! 

Nain's Widow: Luke 7:11-14

Jesus really does see the ‘invisible’

Jesus is genuine. Jesus is empathy. He is love.  

Here in Luke 7 we continue to find out more about who Jesus was and is. It is through these earlier passages that we see the unfolding of Jesus’ character and mission. I am really enjoying seeing how women a vital part to this too. I feel that the old testament and earlier Lukan passages are leading us to this point. The point of seeing Jesus in his fully human and yet fully God state and how he moves through humanity. Luke 7:11-17 portrays a striking image of Jesus as a human. In the past I think I have felt that Jesus was so perfect, so beautiful that I could perhaps not fully appreciate his gritty humanity. He is a man who leaked compassion with every step and yet at the same time perhaps it can be hard to truly grasp the depth of that. Yet, here I am shaken by the raw emotion we see in Jesus, and it is truly humbling.

11 Soon afterward, Jesus went to a town called Nain, and his disciples and a large crowd went along with him. 12 As he approached the town gate, a dead person was being carried out—the only son of his mother, and she was a widow. And a large crowd from the town was with her.13 When the Lord saw her, his heart went out to her and he said, “Don’t cry.”

14 Then he went up and touched the bier they were carrying him on, and the bearers stood still. He said, “Young man, I say to you, get up!”15 The dead man sat up and began to talk, and Jesus gave him back to his mother.

12 As he approached the town gate, a dead person was being carried out—the only son of his mother, and she was a widow. And a large crowd from the town was with her.

Two things jumped out to me here, firstly, we soon learn two things about this woman. She is a mother and a widow, both of which carry great significance here. In regards to being a widow, they were already considered lowly within society and now she would be without a son. Her son would have provided for her, protected her but now he was silent ... gone (Wilson,2017). She would have nothing left. Reid (p105,1996) highlights that widowhood is a golden thread weaving through the whole Bible. Exodus 22:23 highlights the social responsibilities of the time, and clearly stresses that no widow or orphan should be afflicted. Reid (p105, 1996) states that Jesus is acting as God. Jesus is acting on the laws written hundreds of years before! I love the consistency of God’s heart. Widows have always had God’s heart. They are to always be protected.

The second thing was the community that surrounds her. We read that crowds were with her. I imagine a flock of women leading the procession weeping uncontrollably. A sea of women joining together amidst the sorrow. Reid says that although this widow does not speak there is power in her silent tears (Reid, p106,1996). Reid draws attention to the power found through silent action and unity. For example, after the ‘dirty war’ in Argentina, a group of women called The Madres de la plaza de Mayo (a group of widows) would silently march through the streets every thursday over a period of years to express their outrage at losing their husbands and sons who just vanished during the war. In 1982 the dictatorship fell, I am sure this had something to do with it. I love that the powerlessness in the face of death can actually bring forth life (Reid, p106, 1996)

13 When the Lord saw her, his heart went out to her and he said, “Don’t cry.”

I absolutely LOVE this verse! Jesus showed such raw compassion here. His gut response is to comfort her. He acts on impulse and what flows out of him is pure love for her. A childless widow. We know Jesus’ heart is drawn to her. This verse demonstrates the true authenticity of Jesus’ human side.  Jesus’ first response is compassion, that is all we see here. He does not hide his feelings or make an informed decision he acts on his resounding empathy for this woman.

Luke refers to Jesus as ‘Lord’ here which is the first time it has been used in relation to Christ.  Henrich.S 2010) Suggests that Luke uses this here as “ he is at his most "lordly" as one who shows mercy”. We also see that there are two parables teaching compassion that are unique to Luke: the good samaritan and the prodigal son (Henrich, S, 2010). I think this demonstrates that mercy and compassion are extremely important qualities of Jesus and his followers. I also love that Jesus SEES her! Henrich points out that in the two parables mentioned above along with Lazarus and the rich man and Zacchaeus there is the theme of sight, and being seen or found by Jesus. This moves me. Those who are unseen, or even those who hide out of sight are drawn out and saved by Jesus. I think it is much deeper than this, but I think it is remarkable that Jesus sees her, and that is important.

14 Then he went up and touched the bier they were carrying him on, and the bearers stood still. He said, “Young man, I say to you, get up!”15 The dead man sat up and began to talk, and Jesus gave him back to his mother.

After Jesus brings her son back to life I find it prominent that Jesus hands the boy back to his mother. Jesus performed his first raising of the dead miracle for her, not for the son or for the people. Jesus restores her as a mother. He gives her back her love. Her identity. Her Life.

After Jesus’ beautiful response of compassion he then performs an act of God. He is compelled to heal the son after he sees the woman’s suffering. Earlier this year I was involved in a refugee conversational english class. It was the most rewarding thing I have ever done. I felt so much compassion for these vulnerable people, and felt compelled to DO something. Anything. There is so much to be done, but I am so often bound by restrictions. Although many are perhaps my insecurities.  The prominent issue here is that Jesus first felt compassion, then was moved to bring her son back to life. Let us be moved by things that break our hearts and act on that.

Before there was silence and now there is talking, laughing and weeping for joy!

“And in the midst is Jesus, smiling through tears” (Wilson,2017)

ANNA: Luke 2:36-38

I chose Anna for a couple of reasons. One of my aspirations for this blog was to work through each female character found along Luke’s journey but that hasn’t really worked so far, I don’t think that is how I work either. I don’t like sticking to certain rules even if they are ones I have created for myself! Anyway, back to Anna! In just two verses we learn so, so much about this woman. Luke really knew how to encapsulate the biographies of people in the most succinct ways. In a couple of verses like this it is amazing to see how much Luke chooses to share with us about Anna.

36 There was also a prophet, Anna, the daughter of Penuel, of the tribe of Asher. She was very old; she had lived with her husband seven years after her marriage, 37 and then was a widow until she was eighty-four. She never left the temple but worshiped night and day, fasting and praying. 38 Coming up to them at that very moment, she gave thanks to God and spoke about the child to all who were looking forward to the redemption of Jerusalem.

There was also a prophet,

The first thing we learn about Anna is that she is a prophet. People would have known her name and sought her wisdom from God. She is the only named prophetess we find in the New Testament and what is remarkable is that according Gill “prophecy had ceased among the Jews for some hundreds of years, it now revived upon the coming of the Messiah” . As Luke does a lot of pairing throughout his book,  the reading of Anna and Simeon is no different. There is a beautiful uniting between both passages. Both male and female equally bringing their adoration and approbation to Jesus. Both have been waiting for him and his covenant in earnest. What we read of Simeon in the penultimate verses demonstrate a most revered elderly man of God, most probably a priest although he is not named as one, he obviously prophecies too, yet it is Anna who is known as prophet (Gallaher-Branch.R 2017). She has a title. She has a position of authority. I just like the image of this, these powerful lovers of God praising Jesus. These gatekeepers heralding in the new era. They stand at the gateway welcoming Jesus and demonstrating humanity in its honest form. Both men and women are there proclaiming together in equal stead the Glory of Jesus and his promises. I love it!

Anna, the daughter of Penuel, of the tribe of Asher.

The fact that she is named is an important factor. For women your name was often greatly connected to the man to whom you belonged. A woman did not have her own identity but was known by her male relations. Yet, here we learn her name, Luke shares it with us. We also hear that she is the daughter of Penuel and do not get the name of her husband here which wasn’t a normal tradition. Luke chooses to draw out that she is the descendant of the tribe of Asher. Her heritage is interesting. McArthur.J (2008) Says “that her ancestors had either migrated south before the assyrian conquest of Israel, or they were among the small and scattered group of exiles that had returned from captivity, either way she (Anna) was part of the believing remnant from the North Kingdom. She was therefore a living emblem of God’s faithfulness to his people”. I love how her name means grace too which draws together a couple of things. Firstly, Anna was a prophet and after a couple of hundred years without one being mentioned this itself was a big deal let alone it was a woman. Secondly, she was an image of restoration and redemption within her family's line of displacement and exile. Where people have come from and their family heritage is a lovely image of looking at how God uses the mistakes or failings of others to bring about an opportunity to demonstrate his grace and intricate redeeming plans for humanity, as we see here through Anna both in her name and her character but also how she knows the scriptures and prophecies of those gone before.

She was very old; she had lived with her husband seven years after her marriage, 37 and then was a widow until she was eighty-four.

Here Luke is really emphasising Anna’s age, this woman had also been widowed for a very long time! Some scholars say that this verse could be referring to her age of 84 years or it could be referring to the years she has been a widow, which would make her about 105 years of age. Either way, she is of great age and with that age comes wisdom, devotion, knowledge and patience for God’s will. I really love what Gallaher-Branch.R 2017 says about Anna’s grand age “In Deuteronomy, Moses prophesies that for the tribe of Asher, Anna’s tribe, “your strength will equal your days” (Deuteronomy 33:25). Surely Anna’s life shows evidence of that.” She is a strong woman of God, who would have also suffered for being a widow, although she had a strong presence within the temple, being a widow meant exclusion, alienation, and often poverty too. Of Course, with Anna we only know what Luke has left for us-so her position may have been different.

Anyhow,  Anna demonstrates God’s heart to use those who offer their faithfulness to him, he uses the hearts of those who are devoted. Anna is a strong, obedient woman who has committed her life to God. I love how her age is a prominent point here. Why would Luke need to mention this? It mirrors that of the mention of Simeon’s status too, as though they were both at similar life stages, and spiritual stages too, but still it is intriguing to me. Why was her age worth mentioning? Age was honoured in this time. I think in a sad kind of way our society is not so inclined to marvel at the older generations. We are all a little if not completely frightened of ‘aging’ it is everywhere, creams and potions to keep us ‘young’. I guess Anna is a symbol to us today that old age is glorious and it symbolises discernment,a wealth of experiences, liberation and a more mature relationship with God, others and perhaps ourselves. I want to be more like Anna.

She never left the temple but worshiped night and day, fasting and praying.

We learn here that Anna was very devoted to her life of service to God. She never left the temple. Which is likely to be referring to this literally. McArthur J (2008) Says that she could have lived within the temple walls, often priests were given board whilst teaching at the temple, but with Anna we have read that she is a devoted woman who had a spiritual gifting of prophecy; perhaps she had been offered somewhere to stay. She worshipped day and night, she was utterly and completely devoted to this temple. There was no letting up for her! And as Gallaher-Branch.R 2017 points out this life of ardent service is energising her, it keeps her going, she is not envisaged as struggling or tired, but impassioned. She was waiting for the messiah and she wasn’t going to miss him. The time of salvation was coming, after praying and fasting for more than 60 years she was about to meet Jesus.

Something Anna’s spiritual depth and endless servitude challenges me to do is to be a gatekeeper for others whose faith needs encouraging or praying for. All through my life I have had various women of wisdom who have moved through the seasons of life beside me, praying for me, being an Anna. Being a gatekeeper, praying over me. These women showed strength of character and rode out the waves of turmoil for me because I wasn’t strong enough or didn’t have the foresight to wait it out! Anna has reminded me to be one of those for the younger Christians I find along the way.

Coming up to them at that very moment, she gave thanks to God and spoke about the child to all who were looking forward to the redemption of Jerusalem.

AT THE VERY MOMENT! Anna knew! She had been living in that temple for years,praying and fasting for this day to come- She knew where she needed to be in that moment. “she recognizes who this child is and tells of his significance to selected people in Jerusalem. Her actions affirm Amos 3:7: “Surely the Sovereign Lord does nothing without revealing his plans to his servants the prophets.”” Gallaher-Branch.R 2017.

Can you imagine how she would have felt! Hearing the words of Simeon and knowing they were truth. Everything had come together. Everything made sense. The messiah had come. She first thanks God. I love that. She praises God for his faithfulness, for his mercy and for his plan. Then she speaks prophetically when she speaks for ALL who were looking forward to redemption of Jerusalem. McArthur. J (2008) says that this is written in the continuous state, Anna not only spoke out to all those waiting for the messiah but she will continue to tell everyone for the rest of her life, she thus became one of the first witnesses to Christ. I imagine she lived everyday sharing the hope of Christ. One could say she was one of the first missionaries.

I was moved to tears when reading about Anna. I am amazed at how much you can learn from two verses of scripture. There is so much to draw out and learn from the lives of these women. I can’t help but compare my spiritual walk to that of Anna’s and I feel slightly ashamed, I am so human, so fickle at times. She had the message we have now, the name of Jesus. Ultimately, these women were used in the story of God. Anna was the ultimate devoted Jesus seeker. She was there at the forefront, waiting to share this news with the WORLD.

Devoted to Eszter Detki my beloved sister in Christ. You were always there when I needed to talk about women and the Bible, you’d get passionate with me. Your heart was full of justice.

Websites and google books used: 

https://books.google.co.uk/books?id=fnZwCwAAQBAJ&printsec=frontcover&dq=anna+luke+2:36-38&hl=en&sa=X&ved=0ahUKEwjQqfbtk-vVAhVqBsAKHRkTC3sQ6AEILDAB#v=onepage&q=luke%202%3A36-38&f=false

https://www.biblicalarchaeology.org/daily/people-cultures-in-the-bible/people-in-the-bible/anna-in-the-bible/

https://www.biblegateway.com/resources/all-women-bible/Anna

https://www.blueletterbible.org/Comm/baxter_mary/WitW/WitW35_Anna.cfm