Ladies, suppose you met a man who was interested in you. He didn’t have a sense of style, not fresh like any of the other guys you know. His hair was nappy, and he didn’t really have a job. He was an earthy type of dude who spent most of his time with his crew. He was a virgin, and celibate so he wasn’t ever looking to have sex with you. He traveled a lot, but didn’t make money from his work. He couldn’t take you out to eat, on vacations or shopping excursions. He said he was looking for a woman to take care of him, and his crew emotionally and financially, because he felt his work was life changing.
Would you give this man the time of day? And if so, how much of a tongue-lashing would you get from your friend or your parents about this apparent loser? Before you start singing “Tyrone” by Erykah Badu, consider that this man is a loose description of Jesus Christ. How many of us modern women would have passed up our Messiah because he doesn’t fit our description of a modern man.
There has been a lot of discussion lately about Jesus and his relationship with Mary Magdalene. Some biblical scholars now think she was more than just a follower of Jesus. She was a woman, among other women, who provided for Jesus and his disciples with food and had her own resources to help them with their mission. Some think that she may have been a widow, which allowed her to travel freely with Jesus and take of them.
1After this, Jesus traveled about from one town and village to another, proclaiming the good news of the kingdom of God. The Twelve were with him, 2and also some women who had been cured of evil spirits and diseases: Mary (called Magdalene) from whom seven demons had come out; 3Joanna the wife of Cuza, the manager of Herod’s household; Susanna; and many others. These women were helping to support them out of their own means.
Luke 8:1
We put so much emphasis on romance and finance that we forget all about spirit and mission when it comes to choosing a man. Instead of asking a man all about his job history, bank accounts and past, maybe we should ask him about his future. What is his purpose in life and would you be willing to sacrifice to help hm achieve it?
We don’t know the true nature of Jesus and Mary Magdalene’s relationship. But if we imagine that she was a widow, with her own money and had no one to answer to, what do you think the people of her town thought of her, once she started following a man who had nothing. Though Jesus was charismatic and an effective speaker, he couldn’t provide for Mary. He wasn’t with her physically. And though the Bible doesn’t discuss her feelings, imagine how she felt having to tend to all those men!
Ladies, let’s make an effort not to judge our men by their shoes, their cars and money. Because we could be missing out on OUR BLESSING and on a greater purpose in life.
