By: Scott Adkins, Sling ‘n Stone Ministry
Carter County Times
By Sling ‘n Stone Ministry
In many societies, women suffer as second-class citizens, particularly those in the Middle East, where women endure “honor killings,” force marriages, etc. Even in America, women could not vote until the early 20th century. The Bible declares “grace and truth came by Jesus Christ,” and that He is “the truth.” (John 1:17; 14:6). So, how did Jesus treat downtrodden suffering women in His day? Like a gentleman, with mercy and compassion:
Gentleman Jesus—Part I
Scripture details several examples when Gentleman Jesus showed mercy and compassion towards suffering women. For example, Mark’s Gospel describes a woman sick for twelve years, who’d spent all she had on doctors, but who got worse, not better. She exhausted all resources and all hope. But then, “she . . . heard of Jesus.” (Mark 5:26-27).
She decided that if she could “but touch His garment,” she would “be made whole.”
And she did just that as Jesus went His way to heal a little girl. The sick woman pushed through the crowd and touched Jesus’s clothes, and immediately “felt in her body that she was healed.” Jesus sensed “virtue had gone out of Him” and asked, “Who touched my clothes?” The woman knelt before Jesus and “told Him all the truth.” Jesus responded: “Daughter, your faith made you whole; go in peace, and be whole of thy plague.” In an instant, Gentleman Jesus mercifully and compassionately did what no doctor could do. (Mark 5:29-34). But His mercy and compassion went beyond healing a woman’s sick body; Gentleman Jesus likewise healed a woman’s sin sick soul.
Religious folks dragged before Jesus a woman “taken in the very act of adultery,” declaring that Moses commanded she be stoned to death. They asked Jesus, “What do you say?” Jesus answered: “He that is without sin among you, let him cast the first stone at her.” And, “being convicted by their conscience,” they left. Jesus stood there alone with the shamed adulteress, asking her: “where are your accusers; does no one condemn you?” She answered: “No man here, Lord.” Jesus replied: “Neither do I condemn thee; go and sin no more.” (John 8:3-11). Again, Gentleman Jesus did what no one else could do: He mercifully and compassionately healed the shamed adulteress’s sin sick soul.
How does this apply today in Appalachia? Today’s drug epidemic casts countless women into dire straits—sickened by addiction; shamed by degrading deeds; or outcast by family. Despair not—Gentleman Jesus will “in no way cast out” those who come to Him. (John 6:37). Jesus Christ remains the same yesterday, today, and forever, (Hebrews 13:8), ready today to heal body and soul, just like He did 2,000 years ago. So, ladies, if y’all find yourselves downtrodden; sick; ashamed; or outcast, reach out for Him, just like that sick woman did 2,000 years ago because today, Gentleman Jesus still says: “I will have mercy.” (Matthew 9:13). Just ask, and He will.
/s/Sling ‘n Stone Ministry
