Give her the product of her hands (Proverbs 31:31)

Jesus' view of women was always full of respect and appreciation, with no difference of gender, social or financial status. The status of a woman is completely equal to that of a man, seen clearly in the matter of salvation and acceptance by God. “There is neither male and female for you are all one in Christ” (Galatians 3:28). Jesus' measure of human beings is related to faith and not to gender, for he accepted women as people who have the same value and dignity as men, and the mere presence of women in his life and teaching, was a revolution in itself.

Below is a quick look of some of the women mentioned in the life of Jesus:

1. His beatified mother, Mary. What a sublime relationship with her, submission to her as a son in his childhood and youth, and also in his care for her, commanded her to his disciple John while he was on the cross (Luke 2:51; John 19 : 26- 27)

2. Several women have received healing with his blessed word and his blessed touch. Remember Peter's mother-in-law (Mark 1: 29-31) and the daughter of Jairus and the hemorrhaged woman (Luke 8: 40-56). Also, the bent woman whom he called Abraham's daughter, equating by that the sons and daughters of Abraham in faith (Luke 13: 11-17). Among those virtuous ladies were some whose hearts were overflowed with appreciation and love for him, so they followed him, and they served him with their own money, such as Mary Magdalene, Susanna and others.

3. The Lord Jesus accepted sinners, men and women, but his dealings with women who had previously been condemned by society, had a great impact. For example, the sinful woman who entered the house of Simon the Pharisee and wiped the feet of Jesus with her hair, as well as the one who was caught in adultery, received appreciation while the men who accused her, were rebuked (Luke 7: 36-50; John 8: 3-50) 11). In his meeting with a Samaritan woman, we see Jesus in a situation that was not acceptable at the time, as the one before him was a sinful Samaritan woman. In contrary to customary habits preventing him from speaking with alien women, Jesus saw in her a lost soul in need of salvation, so she was blessed and became a blessing to others as well (John 4: 6-30).

4. How beautiful is our Lord's use of women in his parables and teachings such as the searching for a lost coin and ready-made virgins, and the persistent widow and the poor widow who put in two mites out of her poverty (Luke 15: 8-15, 18: 1-8; Matthew 25: 1—13; Mark 12: 41-44).

5. Mary, the sister of Lazarus, a unique disciple who was sitting at Jesus' feet and listening to his words. She as well attained honor and appreciation of the Lord as she anointed the feet of Jesus with pure expensive nard, and she was blessed with wonderful words: “She has kept this for the day of my burial” (Luke 10:39; John 12: 1-8).

This is a glimpse of the life of Jesus in his embracing, protective and caring view of women. It is clearly evident that all before God are equal, and the saying of our great master still touches the hearts with its tenderness: “Whoever does the will of God, he is my brother and sister and mother” (Mark 3:35).