Together in Christ: 'Women Who Supported Jesus' Ministry' — Luke 8:1-3
Sunday, April 21, 2024
Soon afterward Jesus began a tour of the nearby towns and villages, preaching and announcing the Good News about the Kingdom of God. He took his twelve disciples with him, along with some women who had been cured of evil spirits and diseases. Among them were Mary Magdalene, from whom he had cast out seven demons; Joanna, the wife of Chuza, Herod’s business manager; Susanna; and many others who were contributing from their own resources to support Jesus and his disciples.
Key Thought
Over the years, whenever I have spoken on these verses and other similar passages, [1] many people are surprised to learn that a group of Galilean women supported Jesus' ministry financially and encouraged Him by their presence. [2] Several different women anointed Jesus, extravagantly honoring Him. [3] Jesus blessed many women by personally ministering to them. [4] A group of women remained faithful to Jesus during His horrific death and burial when the men abandoned, denied, and betrayed Him. [5] Both an angel and Jesus also gave some women the responsibility to be the first to declare His resurrection. [6] Some of these women were present as the disciples were praying at Pentecost when Jesus poured out the Holy Spirit. [7] Reminded of these examples, some have remarked: "Oh yes, I do remember these now!" So my question related to our relationships in Christ is this: Why do we not remember the vital role played by women in Jesus' ministry more readily, and why do we not encourage women to follow the example of those women today? Hmm!"
All four gospels stressed the presence of faithful women during the Lord's Passion. [8] Even when the men grew frightened, then abandoned Jesus and hid in a locked room, the women continued to follow Him and bore witness the horrific events of the cross. [8] As is typical of John, the fourth gospel emphasizes things in detail that the other gospels omit. In this case, John's gospel stresses the importance of women we don't find mentioned in the three other gospels — the Samaritan woman at the well, [9] the adulterous woman, [10] and the vital connection between Martha and Mary with their brother Lazarus and their faith in Jesus. [11]
What are we to make of this? I believe the New Testament stresses several realities of our Christian faith directly tied to women: [12]
- God values women and considers them equal in importance, value, and significance to men and has done so from the very beginning of creation. [13]
- In Christ, as disciples of Jesus, women are indispensable to men, and men are indispensable to women in the spiritual family of God. [14]
- Women played a vital role in the ministry of Jesus as partners and supporters of His ministry. [15]
- Women were treated with dignity and respect as Jesus served and ministered to them when they were often neglected in their culture and community. [16]
- Jesus emphasized that the importance He placed on women in ministry should not be taken from them. [17]
Amazingly, in the New Testament, Jesus is never accused by His critics of abusive or sexually immoral behavior with a woman. The Lord Jesus left us an example of non-sexualized and non-abusive friendship and ministry partnership with women in His family of believers.
As we journey ahead and look at healthy and proper relationships in God's family, the Lord's example must play a significant role in helping us know how to treat and value people of both genders, all backgrounds, and all ages. Godly men and women need each other to live productive lives while passionately displaying the Kingdom of God!
[2] This financial support from women is the emphasis of today's verse and other similar passages.
[3] Matthew 26:6-13; Mark 16:1; Luke 7:36-50; John 11:1-3.
[4] For a few examples: Mark 5:21-43, 7:24-30; Luke 7:11-17, 36-50, 8:2, 10:38-42; John 4:1-30, 8:1-11, 11:1-44.
[5] Mark 14:50; Matthew 26:70-74, 27:55, 28:5-11; Luke 22:47-48, 23:27, 24:1, 5, 11, 22, 24; Acts 1:14, 2:17-18.
[6] Matthew 28:5-7; Mark 16:1-7; Luke 24:8-12, 22-24; John 20:11-18.
[7] Acts 1:14, 2:17-18.
[8] John 19:25-27; Luke 23:55-56; John 20:1-18; Matthew 27:55-61; Mark 15:40-41.
[9] John 4:1-42.
[10] John 8:1-11.
[11] John 11:1-45, 12:1-3.
[12] This is not intended to be an exhaustive list. Notice all the women listed in Romans 16:1-16.
[13] Genesis 1:26-27, 31.
[14] 1 Corinthians 11:11-12.
[15] See today's verses and also Mark 15:40-41 and Matthew 27:55-56.
[16] We see this dignity and respect in Jesus' ministry to the Syrian woman (Mark 7:25-29), the Samaritan woman at the well, the woman caught in the act of adultery, the women who anointed Him, and the widow at Nain — references listed above. Note that some of these women were not Jewish.
[17] Luke 10:39-41. By allowing Mary to sit at His feet, Jesus was defending her right to be one of His disciples (rabbis) in training — see Paul's claim for sitting at Gamaliel's feet for a parallel in Acts 22:3 NRSV. Luke uses the parable of the "Good Samaritan" and this story of Mary at Jesus' feet to make the point that, in Christ, "There is no longer ... male and female." (Galatians 3:26-29)!
Today's Prayer
Loving Father, I know the problems with sexual immorality in our world and in Your churches break your heart. Please help us be wise in treating each other as men and women. Open our eyes to Your Scriptures to see how women and men played a vital role in Your unfolding story of redemption in every era, regardless of the freedoms and roles allowed in culture. Thank You for Jesus, Your model of godliness in all relationships. Thank You, Jesus, for valuing people of each gender, every race, and any social standing. Help us empower each of Your disciples to serve You with dignity, appreciation, and support. In Jesus' name, we pray. Amen.
Related Scripture Readings
- Romans 16:1-16
- Luke 23:49, 55-56, 24:1-12; Acts 1:14
Other Devotionals from Heartlight for Sunday, April 21, 2024
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About This Devotional
Together in Christ is a daily devotional that focuses on what Scripture teaches about godly living in relationships.
'Together in Christ' is written by Phil Ware.
Scripture quotations are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright ©1996, 2004, 2007, 2013, 2015 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Inc., Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.
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