Jesus’ Concern for the Women
Jesus demonstrated his concern for the women and attended to them. He was not limited by the traditions or religious beliefs that the Pharisees and the teachers of the law had.
“And he was teaching in one of the synagogues on the Sabbath. And, behold, there was a woman who had a spirit of infirmity eighteen years, and was bowed together, and could in no wise lift up herself. And when Jesus saw her, he called her to him, and said unto her, Woman, thou art loosed from thine infirmity. And he laid his hands on her: and immediately she was made straight, and glorified God. And the ruler of the synagogue answered with indignation, because that Jesus had healed on the Sabbath day, and said unto the people, There are six days in which men ought to work: in them therefore come and be healed, and not on the Sabbath day” (Luke 13:10-17).
Jesus had compassion for the woman. She had been sick for eighteen years!. She had suffered a lot in her life. Instead of celebrating the miracle with her, the Pharisees were annoyed that Jesus had healed on the Sabbath. Jesus called them hypocrites since if on the Sabbath animals needed water they were given. This was a human being with more worth. Jesus demonstrated his great concern for women.
In another incident, Jesus demonstrated his concern for the woman when he met and spoke to the Samaritan woman.
“There cometh a woman of Samaria to draw water: Jesus saith unto her, Give me to drink.
(For his disciples were gone away unto the city to buy meat.) Then saith the woman of Samaria unto him, How is it that thou, being a Jew, askest drink of me, which am a woman of Samaria? for the Jews have no dealings with the Samaritans” (John 4:7-9)
The Jews did not like the Samaritans since they were Jews that had intermarried with other nations. The Jews avoided speaking to the Samaritans. Yet again Jesus chose to speak to the Samaritan woman. He shared with her the gospel till she warmed up to him. She had been married five times. Furthermore, the man she was staying with was not her husband. Jesus did not make her feel inferior or excluded. He told her the good news which she told her people and she caused many to believe in Jesus.
Jesus’ Concern for the Sick
He had a great concern for the sick and told the Jews and religious leaders to lend a hand to the sick and when it was against the norm. On being asked a question on who was a neighbor, Jesus gave the parable of the good Samaritan to the law expert:
“And Jesus answering said, A certain man went down from Jerusalem to Jericho, and fell among thieves, which stripped him of his raiment, and wounded him, and departed, leaving him half dead. And by chance there came down a certain priest that way: and when he saw him, he passed by on the other side. And likewise, a Levite, when he was at the place, came and looked on him, and passed by on the other side.
But a certain Samaritan, as he journeyed, came where he was: and when he saw him, he had compassion on him, And went to him, and bound up his wounds, pouring in oil and wine, and set him on his beast, and brought him to an inn, and took care of him. And on the morrow when he departed, he took out two pence, and gave them to the host, and said unto him, Take care of him; and whatsoever thou spendest more, when I come again, I will repay thee” (Luke 10:30-34)
The man needed hospital aid after being attacked and left for dead by thieves. The religious people in that day ignored the sick man. However, someone unexpected went out of his way to help the Jew. He bound up his wound and took him to an inn to be taken care of. The expert in the law who asked the question had obeyed all the commandments but Jesus told him to ensure he took care of the sick and needy.
Throughout his ministry on earth, Jesus healed the sick and had compassion for them.
“And he went about all Galilee, teaching in their synagogues and preaching the gospel of the kingdom and healing every disease and every infirmity among the people. : So his fame spread throughout all Syria, and they brought him all the sick, those afflicted with various diseases and pains, demoniacs, epileptics, and paralytics, and he healed them. And great crowds followed him from Galilee and the Decapolis and Jerusalem and Judea and from beyond the Jordan” (Mathew 4:23-25)
This was after the baptism and temptation of Jesus. He was concerned with the sick. He healed every disease and infirmity. The people seeing he had compassion they all the sick they had so that he could heal them.
References
International Bible Society(1984). “John” in The Holy Bible: New International Bible Version. Michigan: Zondervan Publishers.
International Bible Society(1984). “Luke” in The Holy Bible: New International Bible Version. Michigan: Zondervan Publishers.
International Bible Society(1984). “Mark” in The Holy Bible: New International Bible Version. Michigan: Zondervan Publishers.
International Bible Society(1984). “Mathew” in The Holy Bible: New International Bible Version. Michigan: Zondervan Publishers.