Women of Holy Distinction

As various media sources have very recently reported alarming instances of disrespectful male behavior toward women, the Bible gives us renewed confidence of God’s highly valued place of women in salvation’s drama. Here are a seven special “First Distinctions” of women in the Bible most worthy of our witness and emulation:

Last at the Cross
“And Mary Magdalene and Mary the mother of Jesus
beheld where he was laid.”
(Mark 15:47)

First at the Tomb
“The first day of the week cometh Mary Magdalene early,
when it was yet dark, into the sepulcher, and seeth the stone taken away from the sepulchre.”
(John 20:1)

First to Proclaim the Resurrection
“And they departed quickly from the sepulchre with fear and great joy;
and did run to bring his disciples word.”
(Matthew 28:8)

First Preacher to the Jews
“And she was a widow of about fourscore and four years, which
departed not from the temple, but served God with fastings and prayers day and night. And she coming in that instant gave thanks likewise unto the Lord, and spake of him to all that looked for redemption in Jerusalem.”
(Luke 2:37 & 38)

Attended the First Prayer Meeting
“These all continued with one accord with prayer and supplication, with the women, and Mary the Mother of Jesus, and with his brethren.”
(Acts 1:14)

First to Greet Christian Missionaries in Europe
“And on the Sabbath we went out of the city by a river side, where prayer was wont to be made, and we sat down, and spake unto the women which resorted thither.”
(Acts 16:13)

First European Convert
“And a certain woman named Lydia, a seller of purple, of the city of Thyatira, which worshiped God, heard us: whose heart the Lord opened, that she attended unto the things which were spoken of Paul.”
(Acts 16:14)

Depews Chapel United Methodist Church, January 31 2018