As we read through the scriptures relating to the time of the Lord in Israel, one cannot but wonder if there is any society that was as status conscious as the Jews of those days; and blatantly obvious was the degrading view in which women were held in that society.

Journeying through certain chapters in the gospel of Luke, we see the disposition of the Lord towards women, elevating them to their God-ordained status. Let’s examine three poignant cases, starting with the sisters of Lazarus of Bethany.

Luke 10:38-42 tells a story in Lazarus’ house in a revealing discourse relating to the woman Mary. She, sitting at His feet, symbolised a position of a disciple eager to learn from a teacher, and the Lord acknowledged her choice, at the cost of family and societal ostracization. Family, as evidenced by her sister Martha’s reaction; societal because she was willing to take the consequences of being among men, at the feet of the Master, a cultural taboo. She taught by her action the importance of prioritising spiritual growth and devotion over worldly distractions.

Another lesson is needed for every believer to find a balance between service and devotion. While serving others is important, same as working to make a living, spending time in prayer and learning from His word is essential for spiritual growth. Mary’s example teaches us to seek intimacy with Christ, where we get equipped to handle life’s challengers with wisdom and peace. Cultivate deep personal connection with the Lord through prayer, study and reflection.

The second example is drawn from Luke 7:36-50 where this unnamed woman entered the house of Simon (healed leper), who had hosted the Lord to a feast. Her:

• Tears – repentance and humility – showed us a heart of what deep repentance looks like.
• Hair with which she cleaned the most unclean part of the external body, the feet, evidence of – vulnerability – she didn’t hide her need for forgiveness, the obvious condemnation of other onlookers notwithstanding, and
• Perfume – beautiful devotion and gratitude – a rare response of gratitude and devotion from one who had been transformed through divine love calls for deep reflection from all of us who have benefitted from God’s redeeming love.

The same response of devotion and gratitude was demonstrated in Mary as revealed in the death and resurrection of Lazarus in John 11, and the response of Mary recorded again in John 12:1-8. These women teach us what true liberation entails, rejecting societal norms that judges, and breaking cultural boundaries to express our love, with authenticity to the Lord our Saviour.

Luke 8:1-3 throws up another dimension of the same elements of gratitude and devotion from women who had been brought out of the degradation of culture, sin and demon possession. They abandoned all to follow Him wherever, ministering to His needs in the proclamation of the message of the kingdom from village to village.

Are you truly liberated beloved saint? Selah.



Pastor Afolabi Oladele