I love learning, but more so in discovering the truths or facts in the writings or texts.
Thus I could not put down the book The Samaritan Woman~ I will keep the author anonymous for substantial reasons.
I was intrigued by the history, understanding the different cultures, languages, split in lands, Judean-Jews and modern Jews, Samaritan Jews, Sunni Muslim, Hellenists, Macedonians, Jacob’s well, Son of David, to Jesus’ people giving Him up. Those items uncovered appeared to be facts.
The book takes you on a journey to Jacob’s well and the woman of ill repute. We discover that there was no invitation for Jesus to be present in Samaria. But that’s for another time, I will keep moving!
Then finally towards the closing of the book we journey to Mary Magdalene’s encounter with The Risen Jesus and Him saying “do not touch me”. Let’s pause right here.
The author states that due to cultural reasons Mary was not to touch Jesus as she was unclean/on her menstrual cycle and that Jesus was to reach His place as a High Priest and no human let alone a menstruating one could touch him before He completed this piece of the resurrected state.
I still could not place this book down. Yet I was grieved! My pastors at Table tonight April 2024 were beside themselves by this interpretation. The truth is Mary Magdalene represented a gazillion of us women touching Jesus. Embracing Him. Kissing Him, our Beloved. Him too, would have returned this love kiss.
I am of South African Eastern descent and this explanation culturally aligns with my history too. However my family is liberated and have not held such power over us women. Heck if us women could not come close to you or touch anything, there’d be collapse. To paraphrase Heather Drake “The church would not stand. Have a look around at the involvement of women inside the building”
Let’s come back to that first encounter. Surely “Little Thunder” could not hide underneath a rock but become a strong tower. Surely at Her cross examination in court during the trial of “where is Jesus body” she felt The breath of God. Or is She The Breath of God that outshines all the constellations!
Truly, Jesus pulled her closer!!
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“Women”, Jesus said to His Mother Mary, “it is not my time”. “Whoa” says Mary “listen kid” and Jesus turns H2O into wine!! Holy smokes!
Allow for The Wisdom and Intelligence of Mary to carve your path!
Interested in a personality tool to uncover your Path Elements or Organizational Skills? The Author Laurie Beth Jones mentions Jesus being a Water element. Oh the living water! Click on the link below to message Marissa for further details.
You did it!!!! Leading with the heart is how we tell a #BetterStory.
Love the title you gave this post. It is truly appalling how #TheVoiceOfWomen has been held back in a Church where love is meant to be the centerpiece of the Table.
Press on Press in. 🙌🏻💕