Women Redeemed from the Curse

 When Jesus died on the cross, the totally innocent Son of God had to suffer the ultimate injustice. Through his unjust death, Jesus took upon himself the punishment we deserved for our sins.

The only completely innocent man of all time died an agonising death so that all guilty men and women could be freed from God's judgement.

With his voluntary death, Jesus began to free people from all the curses and injustices that began with original sin.  

The first injustice was foretold by God himself.

To the woman he said, “I will make your pains in childbearing very severe; with painful labour you will give birth to children. Your desire will be for your husband, and he will rule over you.” Gen 3:16 NIV

It was not God's command that men should rule over women. After the original sin, the character of men was corrupted. Men's greater physical strength was used to dominate women, which was never God's intention.

But millions of men have harshly dominated their wives. For thousands of years, women have been treated as second-class human beings.

In the Bible, Jewish women were also victims of harsh discrimination, but in Christian history and also in our time, we see that many Christians still do not understand that God created us for partnership and not for the subordination of women.

In the Bible, new beginnings are of particular importance. As his first act after his resurrection, Jesus restored the equality of women.

Mary Magdalene was chosen by Jesus as the first person to proclaim his resurrection, not Peter or John, and not even Mary, his mother.

Mary Magdalene thought Jesus was the gardener. The first gardener was Adam, and Paul teaches us that Jesus is the last Adam. This means that Jesus is the beginning of the new humanity.

So it is written: “The first man Adam became a living being”; the last Adam, a life-giving spirit. 1 Cor 15:45 NIV

For as in Adam all die, so in Christ all will be made alive. 1 Cor 15:22 NIV

Adam was the first man and the father of all men. He was without sin until he succumbed to temptation.

Jesus came as the second man without sin and he resisted all temptations.

Jesus came to give all of us men, women and children the innocence and glory of the original creation. He came to create a wonderful new humanity, a humanity where men and women can fulfil their potential in equality, freedom and partnership.

When Mary Magdalene announced to the apostles that Jesus had risen, they did not believe.

Later Jesus appeared to the Eleven as they were eating; he rebuked them for their lack of faith and their stubborn refusal to believe those who had seen him after he had risen. Mk 16:14 NIV

What did Jesus want to teach us? From now on, pastors and apostles must also take women seriously. The curse of male domination is over as far as God is concerned. Many Christians are slow to understand this.

God Hears Women when they Cry

 A young woman working in the Australian parliament was raped by a colleague, but it was all treated as a political issue and hushed up by the ruling party.

A few weeks ago, this brave woman went public in protest. This sparked a 'Me Too' movement in Australian politics.

This week we saw another scandal. I was so outraged that I struggled to pray about it without anger and resentment.

Finally, I tried to pray for justice without anger. Then I had the clear impression that God was answering me.

"I have heard the cries of the women."

Then I said to the Lord. But many of these protesting women are not Christians. They are not praying in the name of Jesus.

Then the Lord spoke very clearly to me.

When the Hebrew slaves cried out in Egypt, do you think they were all holy and righteous?

The LORD said, “I have indeed seen the misery of my people in Egypt. I have heard them crying out because of their slave drivers, and I am concerned about their suffering. Ex 3:7 NIV

And do you think all these angry women are unbelieving feminists? Not at all.

I know Christian women who have been victims of brutal harassment in supposedly pious churches.

When women are victimised and speak out, they are often shamed and blamed by churches and by politicians who claim to be Christians.

One of the most prominent preachers in Germany is Gaby Wentland. She rescues women from trafficking and prostitution. She is also a political activist against human trafficking.

I heard her say: 'There are more prayers in brothels than in churches in Germany.

God has heard the cries of the women.

God speaks clearly in our hearts when we desire justice with all our hearts.

Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be filled. Mt 5:6 NIV