Seeing Jesus Through the Eyes of Women

Jesus consistently treated women with respect, compassion, and equality. Scripture contains many stories of women who supported Him in His ministry. A few favorites include Jesus’ mother, Mary, and the Samaritan woman, but there are many other accounts.

Seeing Jesus through the eyes of women who encountered him provides excellent examples for all of us as modern women to seek Him out in relevant ways within our own lives.

The Faith and Obedience of Mary, the Mother of Jesus

From learning of her impending pregnancy throughout His childhood and ministry, Mary’s response to Jesus is the quintessential demonstration of faith in action. “How will this be,” she asked, “since I am a virgin?”(Luke 1:34, NIV).

Once the angel explained the miraculous nature of the Holy Spirit’s work, her response was an immediate and complete surrender: “I am the Lord’s servant,” Mary answered. “May your word to me be fulfilled” (Luke 1:38, NIV).

Mary’s journey with Jesus was not always easy. She experienced the full range of emotions from joy, as she watched Him grow and begin His ministry, to deep sadness and loss as she saw His death on Calvary.

Throughout it all, she “treasured up all these things and pondered them in her heart” (Luke 2:19, NIV).

Lessons For Women Today

Mary’s story teaches humility and a willingness to say “yes” to God’s plan, even when it seems impossible or defies human logic. Her life exemplifies peace and purpose found in trusting God’s word and surrendering our will to His, not just once, but in every season of life.

Women today can learn to ponder God’s work in their lives, reflect on His faithfulness, and respond to His call with quiet confidence and obedient faith, striving to be like Mary.

The Transformation of the Samaritan Woman

The story of the Samaritan woman at the well in John 4 (NIV) shows Jesus’s love and inclination to acceptance. As a Samaritan, she was an outcast to the Jews. As a woman with a checkered past, she was also likely marginalized within her own community.

At any time in history, she would have been the least likely to get help and most vulnerable due to her circumstances. When Jesus approached her, she was shocked that a Jewish man would speak to her at all, much less ask her for a drink.

Jesus, however, didn’t concern Himself with social rules. He saw her heart. He offered her “living water,” a metaphor for eternal life, which would quench her spiritual thirst forever.

He knew everything about her, including her five previous husbands and the man she was currently living with. He saw her not as a sinner to be condemned, but as a soul to be saved.

Her response in the story really stands out. She demonstrated belief in a way that arguably many men of the time could have learned from. She left her water jar and ran back to her village to share the good news.

“Come, see a man who told me everything I ever did,” she proclaimed. “Could this be the Messiah?” (John 4:29, NIV). Her testimony was so compelling that many Samaritans came to believe in Jesus.

Lessons For Women Today

The Samaritan woman’s journey from outcast to deeply involved in the ministry illustrates Jesus’ ability to transform. Through her eyes, Jesus teaches us that Jesus meets us exactly where we are, regardless of our past.

Jesus knows our deepest secrets and our greatest hurts, yet He extends an offer of grace and transformation.

Secondly, her story demonstrates that a personal encounter with Jesus compels us to share Him with others. Growing closer to Jesus isn’t just a private experience; it’s a catalyst for public proclamation. Her zeal and courage can encourage women today to be bold witnesses for Christ in their own communities, even in the face of shame or social stigma.

The Devotion of Mary of Bethany

In Luke 10 (NIV), we see a contrast between two sisters, Mary and Martha. While Martha was “distracted by all the preparations that had to be made” (Luke 10:40, NIV), Mary chose to sit at Jesus’s feet and listen to what He said.

Martha complained to Jesus, “Lord, don’t you care that my sister has left me to do the work by myself? Tell her to help me!” (Luke 10:40, NIV). “Martha, Martha,” the Lord answered, “you are worried and upset about many things, but few things are needed—or indeed only one. Mary has chosen what is better, and it will not be taken away from her” (Luke 10:41-42, NIV).

Jesus affirmed that sitting at His feet and prioritizing a relationship with Him is the most important part of the Christian life. InJohn 12 (NIV), Mary anointed Jesus’s feet with expensive perfume, an act of worship commended by Jesus Himself.

Lessons For Women Today

Mary’s example reminds us that our relationship should always be our priority. It’s easy to become distracted by service, responsibilities, and even good works, like we see in Martha. While serving others is important, it should flow from a deep well of personal devotion to Jesus. Women today can grow closer to Jesus by intentionally carving out time to sit at His feet, to read His word, and to be in His presence.

Women Who Followed and Financially Supported Jesus

Jesus’s ministry was supported not only by His famous twelve male disciples but also by a group of faithful women. Luke 8:2-3 (NIV) tells us that Jesus was accompanied by “some women who had been cured of evil spirits and diseases: Mary (called Magdalene) from whom seven demons had come out; Joanna the wife of Chuza, the manager of Herod’s household; Susanna; and many others. These women helped support Jesus’ ministry out of their own means.”

Notably, it was women, not the male disciples, who first witnessed Jesus’ resurrection. In fact, Mary Magdalene was entrusted with the message to tell the disciples (John 20:18, NIV).

Lessons For Women Today

Women are called to use their gifts, resources, and influence to advance the kingdom of God. Whether through financial support, hands-on service, or witnessing His power, their stories encourage women today to be courageous and active partners in ministry.

Jesus Values Women

Mary, the mother of Jesus, teaches us humble obedience. The Samaritan Woman shows us that Jesus’s grace is transformative. Mary of Bethany reminds us to prioritize a personal relationship with Him.

Jesus calls women to be active, indispensable partners in His work.

The common thread uniting all these stories is Jesus’s love and respect. He met each woman exactly where she was, saw her for who she was, and called her to a higher purpose.

For women today, these stories are not just historical accounts but a living invitation. They encourage us to respond to Jesus with open hearts, bring our brokenness to Him, sit at His feet, and share the good news of His love and life with bold confidence.