Rachel 

Rachel became involved with the Master's ministry and was chosen as one of the first ten dedicated women to be part of the first women's corps. Rachel was the sister-in-law of Jesus' younger brother Jude.

Rachel

Table of Contents

  • Summary

    Rachel, a relative of Jesus’ extended family, became involved with the Master's ministry and was chosen as one of the first ten dedicated women to be part of the first women's corps. Rachel was the sister-in-law of Jesus' younger brother Jude.

  • Rachel

    Jesus suddenly announced that, for the third preaching tour, he would set apart ten women for the ministering work of the kingdom. This was a bit shocking, even to his apostles, for women had their own segregated room in the temple, not even as nice as contemporary “baby rooms” where you can still watch and hear the service. Jesus requested David to send messengers to call the ten devout women who served as administrators in their former encampment and the tented infirmary. These women then heard the instructions given to the young evangelists, but it never occurred to them as even a possibility that they would be asked to do the same. Jesus dared to commission these women to teach the gospel of the kingdom and minister to the sick. One of those commissioned was Rachel, the sister-in-law of Jude, the Master’s brother in the flesh.

    These women managed their own organization and, after initial funding for equipment and pack animals, they became self-reliant, even furnishing their own funds.

    If there was any doubt of Jesus’ wisdom in commissioning women, it ended in Magdala. Andrew imposed strict rules upon his fellow apostles in ministering to women, especially women of questionable character. The women's corps had no such limitations, so they ministered to both women who were sick and those in brothels. Through a series of misfortunes, Mary Magdalene found herself in one such place. Rachel and Martha explained that she was welcome in the kingdom. Mary believed with her whole heart this good news and was won over, becoming a loyal, loving, and faithful-to-the-end follower of Jesus. Mary Magdalene and Rebecca, the daughter of Joseph of Arimathea, were commissioned, making the women's corps a group of twelve like the apostles.

  • What Do We Tell Women?

    When the Master was teaching a group of twelve of the younger evangelists along with the twelve women, Rachel asked Jesus what they should tell women if they asked what to do to be saved. Jesus responded that they should tell them to believe in the gospel and accept divine forgiveness. By faith, recognize the indwelling spirit, becoming a child of God. Salvation is a gift of the Father and acceptance by faith makes the recipient a partaker of the divine nature, a son or a daughter of God.

    In essence, the answer was the same for men and women; believe, have faith, accept forgiveness, and each person will be a son or a daughter of God.

Suggested Reading from this Essay

Related People

Contributors

Gregg Tomusko, Mike Robinson, Gary Tonge

References and Sources

  • 150:1.1 Jesus commissions ten women.
  • 150:1.2 Women were self-sufficient.
  • 150:2.2 Rachel helps win over Mary Magdalene.
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