Distinguished women of the Bible

First is MARY, the mother of Jesus. To Gabriel’s announcement that Mary would give birth to Jesus, the virgin mother responded, “Let this happen to me according to your word.” Mary followed Jesus throughout His ministry. She was standing by the cross as Jesus underwent extreme suffering. Before expiring, Jesus informed Mary that John (disciple) would become her son. From the very hour, John took Mary into his home. Mary is considered the greatest of all Christian saints.

MARY MAGDALENE was the leader among the women who accompanied Jesus. She was the first to visit Jesus’ tomb on Resurrection Sunday. She observed the crucifixion, Jesus’ death, His removal from the cross, burial preparation, and entombment. That first Easter morning, Mary came to Jesus’ tomb and found it empty. She went to inform Peter and John who ran to the tomb to verify her report. Later that morning, Mary conversed with the risen Lord. Mary Magdalene was deeply committed to Jesus and His ministry.

The book of RUTH contains a love story. Ruth’s mother-in-law was Naomi—who married Elimelech. Their sons were Mahlon and Chilion. Mahlon married Ruth; Chilion wed Orpah. Later, Elimelech and both of his sons died. This left Naomi a widow. After daughter-in-law, Orpah, departed, only Ruth remained. Ruth was dedicated to Naomi, assuring her: “Wherever you go, I will go. Wherever you live, I will live.” Sometime later, Ruth married a kinsman of Naomi named Boaz. Ruth and Boaz gave birth to Obed. The son of Obed was Jesse…whose son was King David. Thereby, Ruth became the great grandmother of King David and was an ancestor in the lineage of Jesus (Matthew 1: 5).

ESTHER, a beautiful Jewish girl, became the queen of Persia who saved her people from destruction. King Ahasuerus of Persia sought a new wife when his queen, Vashti, refused to obey him. Ahasuerus chose the beautiful Esther. The king’s chief adviser, Haman, was offended by Mordecai, who happened to be Esther’s cousin and guardian. Haman received permission from King Ahasuerus to kill the Jews in his kingdom. However, Esther foiled this plan, and won the king’s permission for the Jews to kill their enemies – and they did so. Esther was a remarkable woman who risked her life to save her own people. Jesus said, “Greater love has no one than to lay down one’s life for his friends” (John 15:13).

EVE was the first woman created on earth. God made a helpmate for Adam by fashioning Eve from one of Adam’s ribs. Although Eve succumbed to the serpent’s (Satan’s) entreaty to eat of the forbidden fruit—bringing sin into the world—she was the mother of the human race. Were genealogical records available back to creation, our lineage would trace back to Adam and Eve.

Noteworthy are such names as Sarah (wife of Abraham), Rebekah (wife of Isaac), Rachel (wife of Jacob), and Elizabeth (mother of John the Baptist). Other Jesus devotees were: Mary (mother of James and Joses), Salome (mother of disciples, James and John), Joanna (wife of Chuza), Susanna (devout follower), and Mary and Martha (Jesus’ friends at Bethany). Forget not Rahab, the harlot of Jericho, who protected Joshua’s spies. Rahab is included in the honor roll of the faithful (Hebrews 11:31).

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