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By Jeremy Lopez
I’ve often heard jokes about women talking too much and not listening enough. However, as I read through the gospels, I see women who dared to lean in and listen to Jesus. As a result, they were greatly used by Him, and their stories continue to be told through generations.
I want to be a woman whose life is marked by listening. I’ve had to grow quite a bit in this area and still, honestly, have a lot farther to go. However, as I stay intentional, listening becomes a little easier. As I practice listening to God, I slowly become more attuned to His voice.
In the gospels, we read the story of three different women who dared to listen to Jesus and take Him at His word. This is extraordinary since, at the time of Jesus, women were looked down on. They were rarely given respect and often viewed as second-class citizens or less. Jesus, however, honored women and often entrusted them with a message.
Take a look with me.
3 Women Who Dared to Listen to Jesus
The Woman at the Well (John 4:1–30). We often look at this story and think about the sin of the woman and how Jesus set her free from shame. First of all, the fact that she had had five husbands was likely because she struggled with infertility. That’s one reason a man would divorce her. She might have been widowed or simply rejected—we don’t know. Certainly, she was living with a man who was not her husband. However, when Jesus introduces Himself as the Messiah, she listens and believes. Scripture tells us she dropped her water jar and ran to town to tell everyone she knew about the Messiah. In essence, this woman was the first missionary. She listened to Jesus and ran with the message.
Mary of Bethany (Luke 10:38–42; John 12:1–8). In one of the first stories where we meet Mary of Bethany, she is sitting at the feet of Jesus, listening. His teaching holds her spellbound. Later, after Jesus raises Lazarus from the dead, right before His own death, Mary anoints Jesus with oil. The text is interesting because when Judas criticizes her, Jesus says to leave her alone because she is preparing Him for His death. It is as if Mary understood, even more than the disciples, that the death of Jesus was right around the corner. The only way she could have known that was by listening. Ah, I want to be like Mary—leaning in and listening to every word of Jesus. I want a heart that is so tuned in that I understand what He is speaking to me. That only comes with intentionally and consistently tuning my heart to His Word.
Mary Magdalene (John 20:11–18). I love this story. Mary is at the garden tomb after she realizes that Jesus is no longer in the tomb. As she is crying, she peeks into the tomb and sees two angels. They ask her why she is crying, and she explains that she’s afraid someone has taken Jesus’ body. She turns around and sees Jesus but thinks He is the gardener. She doesn’t recognize Him by sight. I have always wondered how His body looked different after the resurrection. However, when she asks Him where He has taken the body, Jesus speaks Mary’s name. In an instant, she recognizes His voice! This story begs the question: how well do you know His voice?
As I reflect on each of these women, I am inspired. First of all, I want to listen more attentively to whatever Jesus speaks to me. Second, I am encouraged because I realize that Jesus loves to commission women and use their voices to expand His kingdom.
Why don’t you take a few minutes to ask the Holy Spirit to open your ears to the voice of God? Re-commit your listening skills to Him and then be ready to receive His commissioning.
Becky Harling
