For those of us who shared the live presentation together, we know the impact of these women in our own lives today. Fourteen women throughout Christian history were selected from thousands or perhaps even millions of famous and unknown women whose lives illustrate spiritual authority. Here’s a brief video clip from a live presentation:
The full Women Who Followed Jesus presentation is available for rent on DVD. Make check out to and mail $5.98 to “CS Fellowship-Metro Chicago,” PO Box 833, Glenview, IL 60025. Re line: Women Who Followed Jesus.
What these women have in common is a commitment to Jesus. They bring into living color the meaning of Jesus’ words, “If any want to become my followers, let them deny themselves and take up their cross and follow me. For those who want to save their life will lose it, and those who lose their life for my sake will save it” (Luke 9:23,24).
Two of the women from the Bible identified Jesus in his unique roles before his male disciples did – as the Messiah and the fact of his resurrection. It is odd that men get the credit for these “firsts” in the Bible, and the women’s stories are usually forgotten. But of even more interest is an observation on society’s perpetual belittling of women from Mecthilde of the Middle Ages. She noted that women were less tempted by worldly power, and because they were not able to please the powers of the Church, they were freer to nurture their natural affinity for the “love relations with God.”
Her comment provokes a powerful question for all of us, men and women, to ponder: What are those “love relations with God?” Must women always endure shame and persecution in exchange for the gift of this natural affinity? Or, must men always be blocked off, because they are privileged in society?
Interestingly, the women who comprise this presentation do not represent a single denominational affiliation. Their theological doctrines may even differ radically from each other, but what they did share was a common commitment to follow Jesus faithfully. Their stories speak to any Christian denomination, and even to those who are ambivalent about religion itself. They may help you connect with people you know from very different religious backgrounds, and we’d love to hear your thoughts – whether you’re male, female, from any faith community, or no faith community.
Thank you Shirley for this inspiring/educational video clip. I ‘ve sent it to several friends and am most grateful for the research and enactment of these great women who followed Jesus.
The conflict between the authority of spirituality vs the kingdoms of this world has not stopped – and perhaps won’t stop till the last of the tares are burned ( and I don’t mean men!) but pride, aggression, sensuality, etc. What is it that triumphs? The wise ones say ‘love’ I think. Sacrificial love.
Thank you so much for sharing this inspirational post with us.We really need to respects of such women.Their commitment to follow Jesus faithfully is just a great.This shows us that whenever we are from one thing will always bonds us together and that is the faith and love of Jesus.We need to spread this video to may people so they they will also understands this spirituality
http://www.crosspointechurch.tv/
God bless you always