Page 8 - January 2025 - Truth & Tidings

in His image and gave both genders an 4:4). The best dish served at this supper
equal vertical relationship with Himself. was Christ’s teaching. His words were
The New Testament continues to honor the main course, and, unlike other items
females by recording that women were on the menu that day, His truth provided
the first to believe news of the births of the eternal nourishment and satisfaction.
Messiah and His forerunner (Luk 1:5-45), When we focus on Christ as Mary did, He
the last to leave the cross (Joh 19:25), and becomes our greatest treasure. As our pas-
the first to arrive at the tomb (Mar 16:1). sion for Him grows, competing interests
The Lord Jesus revealed His identity as Is- in transient things fade away.
rael’s Messiah first to a Samaritan woman
while teaching her principles of spiritual Falling at His Feet: Trusting
worship (Joh 4:21-26), and He appeared (John 11:28-44)
first to Mary Magdalene after His resur- The Holy Spirit further develops Mary’s
rection (20:11-18). character in the story of her brother’s
Christ’s interaction with Mary of death. John prefaces this account by in-
Bethany shows that He valued women forming us that “Jesus loved Martha and
and promoted their spiritual education her sister and Lazarus” (Joh 11:5). When
and growth. While passages like 1 Cor- the Lord finally arrived on the scene, Mar-
inthians 14:34-35 and 1 Timothy 2:8-15 tha marched out to meet Him, while Mary
charge males with the responsibility of remained at home with other mourners.
public praying, preaching and teaching, But when she learned that the Lord was
these same passages expect that women calling for her, she rushed to meet Him.
will be present in teaching meetings, en- So great was her love for Christ and her
gaging with the truth, and be motivated faith in His power that she left the other
to ask questions about doctrine in private comforters and placed herself in the arms
settings. By mentioning Priscilla first, of the greatest Comforter the world has
the Holy Spirit emphasizes that she was ever known. She fell at His feet with deep
involved in the spiritual education of sorrow, saying, “Lord, if you had been
Apollos with her husband Aquila in their here, my brother would not have died”
home (Act 18:26). If a sister longs to grow (v32). When the Savior saw her heartache,
in holiness and know God’s will, she must “he was deeply moved in his spirit and
immerse herself in Scripture, and older greatly troubled” (v33). He burst into tears
women can only train younger women – even though He was about to restore
successfully if they use God’s Word as her brother to her. Before He removed
their guide (Titus 2:3-4). the source of her anguish, He drew close
When Christ was visiting, Mary priori- to her, wept with her and comforted her.
tized spiritual nourishment over domestic This poignant moment illustrates not
duties and physical food. Preparing a meal only Mary’s unshakeable faith in the
takes work, and the Lord acknowledged Lord’s power, but also her intense long-
that. But in His wilderness testing, and ing to be with Him in the face of tragedy.
always, He embodied the principle that Unlike many who followed Jesus, Mary
stood written in the Law, “Man shall not demonstrated a personal connection with
live by bread alone, but by every word Christ that transcended mere admiration;
that comes from the mouth of God” (Mat she engaged with Him on a deeply rela-

8 TRUTH kTidings January 2025