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Matthew 27:55-56
In Matthew 27:55-56 is a seemingly almost intentional inclusion of some women who were present in the following of Jesus. Why is this significant, we might ask. The answer perhaps is because in this time in history and the customs and traditions of the Jewish people, women were not included in the notable things of life. Throughout the Bible when a census was taken, it was taken of the men only as to show a nation’s size of an army in preparation for battle (this is most noted in the Old Testament book of Numbers). But Matthew includes the mention of the women who followed Jesus and played an important role in the ministry of Jesus and continued to play a big role in the beginnings of the Church (Acts, throughout the letters of the New Testament). Women were the first to see the risen Lord Jesus and report this to His disciples (Matthew 28:1-10; Mark 16:1-11: Luke 24:1-12: John 20:1-18).
This is an example of the importance and inclusion of women in the eyes of God.
We have witnessed in our lifetime the bringing forth of women’s rights, but it was not always so. In this passage of Matthew 27:55-56 is an inclusion and importance of women in life, and in God’s great plan of salvation. The Bible teaches us in Galatians 3:26-29 (NIV), “So in Christ Jesus you are all children of God through faith, for all of you who were baptized into Christ have clothed yourselves with Christ. There is neither Jew nor Gentile, neither slave nor free, nor is there male and female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus. If you belong to Christ, then you are Abraham’s seed, and heirs according to the promise.” Jesus declared in Matthew 22:37-40 (ESV) when asked which is the great commandment, “You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind. This is the great and first commandment. And a second is like it: You shall love your neighbor as yourself. On these two commandments depend all the Law and the Prophets.” Our neighbor in Christ Jesus includes men, women, Jews, Gentiles (which is everyone who is not a Jew), and all walks of life.
Dear LORD,
Please help us to see the importance of all people as Matthew points out to us the importance of women in the ministry of Jesus. We are all equal in Your eyes; please help us to see each other as equal in the importance of the life we live in Christ Jesus. In Jesus name I pray, amen.