Jim Stephens' Gracenotes from Resource Ministries International

The Women

ByJim Stephens

Scripture: Luke 8:1-3

1 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, 2 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; 3 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. (Luke 8:1-3 NLT)

Do you ever come across verses or sections of scripture that make you think, “Hold on now! How does this work? We need a little more background and information here!” Jesus decides to make a tour of the towns and villages around Capernaum in the Lake Galilee region. He takes his recently-chosen Twelve with him. I’d expect that, right? But wait, there’s more! He took some women along too:

  • Mary Magdalene – delivered from seven demons
  • Joanna – wife of Chuza, business manager for Herod.
  • Susanna – ?
  • And many others who financed Jesus and his disciples with their own resources.

I suppose It’s a little late to get in touch with Luke about this, isn’t it?

Thoughts and Questions:

  • How did they travel? Did they walk? Did the women ride donkeys? Did they camp out at night or did they find lodging in the towns and villages? Who did the laundry? Did they cook over a campfire or buy fast food in the villages? Who was Susanna? How many “others” were there? What did Chuza think about his wife Joanna traveling with the Jesus People?
  • Ideas we have about women in the culture. We assume that women were to be silent and seldom seen. We assume that women have no resources of their own but are dependent on their fathers and then on their husbands. These women had resources and were included in making the Jesus Movement possible. I’m glad that Jesus included women and that he honored and respected women!
  • Did the women tell their stories in the meetings before Jesus preached?  Did they pray for people at the altar call?

Prayer:

Father, You know I love your book! Thank you for this little “Easter Egg” lying there on the ground for us to marvel at and wonder about. Thanks for the reminder that when we think we’ve got things all figured out, there’s a lot we still don’t know! Amen!