The Unnamed Woman

The woman with no name. She moves through the Gospels like William Wadsworth’s “Phantom of Delight” revealing aspects of Jesus’ personality and emphasizing certain  teachings.  An unnamed woman interacted with Jesus in some way at least eight times.   It’s time each had a name. I purpose the following based on the Christian characteristic they each represent.

1. Janice The Generous. She was the poor widow observed by Jesus putting two mites into the collection box. She probably had no idea she was being watched and likely went to her grave not knowing she would serve as a model of generosity for ages to come. (Mark 12:41-44)

2.  Francine The Forgiven.  The woman, (they said) caught in the very act of adultery and taken to Jesus for judgment.  This has all the earmarks of a set-up. The “man’ was probably in the mob carrying a rock at the ready or else some punk that was cast aside after doing his “duty.” Jesus didn’t fall or their trap. His challenge that anyone that claimed he had no sin cast the first stone was brilliant. He sent the woman packing, forgiven, One of the first of many to receive such a gift. (John 8:1-11)

3.  Portia The Proclaimer.  The woman at Jacob’s Well. Amazed that Jesus knew so much about her (He might have called her by name but it didn’t get recorded) she rushed back to her village to proclaim that the Messiah had arrived. She had received the living water and was eager to share. (John 4)

4. Trudy The Trusting. From what she had heard of Jesus, she was certain if she could just be able to touch his garment without bothering him, her bleeding would stop. When Jesus discovered who it was that had touched his garment, he told her that her faith had cured her. (Mark 5:25-34)

5. Faye the Faithful. The Canaanite woman who begged Jesus to heal her daughter. She utter the famous line  “Yes, Lord, yet even the dogs eat the crumbs that fall from their master’s table.” Jesus praised her for her great faith and healed her daughter. (Matthew 15:21-28)

6.  Betty The Blessed. Otherwise known as the Widow of Nain. Yikes! Talk about being in the right place at the right time. She wasn’t seeking Jesus or begging him for mercy; she was just the recipient of his compassion because she was hurting. Of the eight, most like most of us.(Luke 7:11-17)

7. Sara The Straightened. The bent over woman Jesus spotted as he was teaching in a synagogue. One of the first of many lives that Jesus has straightened throughout the ages. Literately fulfilling Isaiah 42:4, “a bruised reed he will not break.” (Luke 13:10-17)

8. Grace The Grateful.  A woman of mystery. Some suppose it was Mary Magdalene, expressing her gratitude for the removal of her seven demons, but that is pure speculation.   I think it was possibly another set-up by the Pharisees thinking to embarrass Jesus by being touched by a sinful woman. As always, he turned the tables on them by forgiving the woman, whoever she was, of her sins. She is the summation of all the others; generous with her expensive ointment, proclaiming her love in a hostile environment, trusting, faithful, and blessed by leaving with a straightened out life. (Luke 7:36-50)

Unknown. Yes. But not forgotten, and certainly not insignificant.

-John McPherson