CLAY CENTER – “Why are you helping me?” The woman said to Captain Nathan Algren, from Hollywood’s block buster film The Last Samurai. She was carrying some items and the Captain came to help. In her surprise she commented that “Japanese men don’t help with things like this.”
The treatment and liberation of women around the world has taken a tremendous leap forward in the last 100 years. And yes, there is still much work to do. The first steps toward raising the value of women in society began nearly 2,000 years ago. It started with Jesus Christ, who is history’s greatest liberator of women. There are five ways in which He changed the course of history.
Defense. Jesus had celebrity status, as He gathered crowds in the thousands around Him. They hung on His every word. In the midst of this platform He defended women when society tried to demean and dismiss them.
Challenging the status quo. Jesus put His life and reputation on the line challenging the unjust but acceptable ways in which women were treated during His day. Through knowingly opposing cultural rules He became a voice for the voiceless.        
Equality. Jesus demonstrated that women were as equally valuable as men. He saw no difference in a man’s worth over a woman’s. Both were created and loved by God.    
Compassion. Jesus showed kindness toward women of all ranks in society. Upper, middle and lower classes. He showed words and deeds of peace, hope and freedom to all women who would choose to believe in Him.   
Accountability. Even though Jesus offered promise to women, He also called them to repentance. He realized true freedom is not just found in changing man’s laws or cultural ideals. He offered liberation of the soul through forgiveness of sin. When women are delivered from sin they discover real freedom.
Jesus and those who follow His example offer a message to women around the world. Those in abusive relationships, oppressive cultures and feeling on the fringe of society, can find worth in Christ. While publicly standing against one woman’s accusers Jesus said to her “‘Woman, where are they? Has no one condemned you?’ She said, ‘No one, Lord.’ And Jesus said, ‘Neither do I condemn you; go, and from now on sin no more.’” (John 8:10-11) Across the world, Jesus calls husbands, businesses and governments to honor the God-given value women have. May Jesus be the hope of women today and forever.
 
Clint Decker is President & Evangelist with Great Awakenings Inc. Since 1990, he has reached over two million people with his message of hope. Contact him at cdecker@greatawakenings.org or 785-632-5063