Women.

Something often overlooked is in the New Testament is what Jesus does for woman. You see, for maybe the first time in all of Jewish history since Esther are women portrayed as equals and good doers--maybe even as righteous instead of sinful.

Women had an odd place in the societies of antiquity and ancient Israel. It could be said that they didn't really have any place. Sad was their situation. Women were disregarded and seen merely as servants. With a religious implication, all Israel (any many other religions) felt that women were temptresses. They succeed in nothing but causing fornication and adultery. From the lowliest of followers to the priests of the temple, women were seen as semi-devilish objects because of all the sin they could bring upon the people.

Jesus changed this. Jesus often associated with women. Mary Magdelene, Martha, Jesus' Mother, woman at the well, woman taken in adultery (probably a false accusation or framed), woman with issue of blood. Jesus did the favor of helping Mary's brother Lazarus at her request. Upon the cross Jesus said "Woman, behold thy son," which in this translation is highly respectful title to call a woman. He then charges His disciple to watch over her--probably nearing an old age where she cannot take care of herself. Upon the ressurrection Jesus then first appears to whom? Mary Magdelene, a woman.

Think about these narratives and the radical implications of women in the world of men. Women are children of God too, as Jesus demonstrated. Man has just as much fault as any woman. We are held accountable for our own sins and decisions, regardless of gender.

Recent research done by Professor Valerie Hudson of BYU suggest that when treatment of women in LDCs (Less Developed Countries) causes immediate and substantial qualitive improvements. Jesus is always right.