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Chapter 4

The Women in John:

Jesus Aspires to Great Things for Women

Women in the Gospel of John are main characters in scenes that carry deep theological significance. How these women responded and interacted with Jesus gives us great insight into what Jesus aspires to for women.

The Gospels can best be described as portraits of Jesus. In featuring the Gospel of John, we are seeing a portrait. Karen Thiessen writes,

We are left with an implicit commentary by John, who portrays women as active, innovative ministers of the kingdom…the Johannine Jesus affirms them in roles that were unusual and often unacceptable within that culture. Jesus’ approach to women was in such contrast to that of his culture that we can assume a deliberate modeling of a new way of relating to women.7

That’s what we understand from the Gospel of John. But still, well-respected pastors and theologians can think otherwise.

I remember meeting such a pastor and later conveying this encounter to my fiancé. I happened to mention that this pastor didn’t believe women should be in ministry—especially in the pulpit.

With honest and refreshing inquisitiveness, and perhaps a sense of mischief, as if God were using the moment to confirm that Grant was the man for me, my fiancé replied, “Doesn’t he read the Bible?”

I believe that the Bible makes the call and ministry of women very clear. But I also believe that we—all men and women—are to serve in humility. That is, never should it be about holding power or position over the other. Still today, there are teachers and commentaries that seem to be saying something like God made men first; therefore women can’t lead men. Jesus never fought for power. In fact, it was by being humbled that Christ was exalted. Serving Jesus is not a battle for authority or one-upmanship but rather a humble attitude of servanthood.

Furthermore, it is not a right for people to claim their own calling—especially when it comes to the ministry of God’s Word. A person’s call to ministry shouldn’t be about pushing an agenda, because everyone has equal access to God’s call. It is a privilege granted by God himself. The church simply recognizes and affirms this divine call.

We have an invitation in the Gospel of John. We are invited to see women as key players dancing in theological discourse with the master of teachers himself—Jesus. In the Gospel of John, women are reflective, responsive, and even commissioned by Jesus himself to teach others. Their actions are decisive. Their reflections are challenging. Their witness reflects on their calling, and there is a singleness of purpose in their response to Jesus.

Men and women today continue to be called to acquaint themselves with Jesus. Still, Jesus calls women individually and uniquely to use their gifts and passions for great purposes. Even now, God is calling men and women around the world to convey their experiences from their own faith journey for the encouragement of others. Jesus is calling all of us as he did Martha, the Samaritan woman, Mary Magdalene, Mary of Bethany—as we explore through this book. He has called people throughout Christian history to respond to him according to his call. And like these other women through history, abiding with him in his call will bring us significance and meaning unlike anything else. It will bring us into his story.

7 Thiessen, “Jesus and Women,” 53.