Luke 8:1-3 (ESV)
[1] Soon afterward he went on
through cities and villages, proclaiming and bringing the good news of the
kingdom of God. And the twelve were with him, [2] and also some women who had
been healed of evil spirits and infirmities: Mary, called Magdalene, from whom
seven demons had gone out, [3] and Joanna, the wife of Chuza, Herod’s household
manager, and Susanna, and many others, who provided for them out of their
means.
Here is another case where the
role of women is emphasized in Jesus’ ministry. At least some of them were
women of means, for example Joanna, the wife of Herod’s household manager. These
women had been healed of evil spirits and infirmities and now followed Jesus
and provided for him.
Two things stand out to me in
this short paragraph. First is the mention of the women by name. To Jesus, women
were not second-rate people. Nor did he consider them dangerous. Mary Magdalene
had seven demons cast out of her. The Bible Knowledge Commentary notes that in
the Bible the number seven indicates completion. Mary, it seems, had been
totally and completely under demonic influence. Joanna’s husband managed Herod’s
household. Herod killed John the Baptist. Might it not be dangerous to have
someone so close to Herod following you around? Yet Jesus considered these
women significant and worthy of respect.
Second, the women followed Jesus.
“The twelve and also some women” travelled with Jesus “through cities and
villages.” Women were disciples of Jesus. This would have been shocking in Jesus’
day, yet there they were. They not only listened to him; they followed him and
provided for him.
Jesus had just said to a Pharisee
that those who are forgiven much, love much. These women loved much for they
had been delivered and cleansed. They knew Jesus’ power and truth. In response they
provided for him financially. It was not unusual for a woman of means to be a
patron or financial supporter of someone. Romans 16:2 indicates that Phoebe was
a patron of many including Paul. These women, in response to Jesus’ healing and
deliverance, followed him and supported him and his ministry.
What do we take away from this? It
is clear that in Jesus’ mind women were not considered secondary or lower
class. They were not sidelined or kept in the background. Women were respected
and honored by Jesus. We ought to do the same.
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