and some women who had been cured of evil spirits and infirmities, Mary, called Magdalene, from whom seven demons had gone out, Joanna, the wife of Herod’s steward Chuza, Susanna, and many others who provided for them out of their resources. Luke 8:2-3 NABRE
Luke shares about the people accompanying Jesus as he journeyed from one town and village to another, preaching and proclaiming the good news of the kingdom of God. The apostles are usually with Jesus. We see here Mary Magdalene and Joanna, who are mentioned in the resurrection narrative Luke describes, (Luke 24:10) are with Jesus for a good portion of his public ministry. Luke mention’s early eye witnesses (Luke describes eyewitnesses handing down the narrative he compiled; Luke 1:1-2) and these woman may be people Luke depended upon to compile and verify the gospel he recorded as well as the book of Acts. We read Susanna was the wife of Herod’s steward who likely was close to Herod herself. When Luke writes of Herod, Susanna may be his source. We learn that Luke depended on woman for the gospel and we also see Jesus challenging social conventions reaching out to woman, who had no position in the Patriarchal society.
Men of society would have struggled to follow Jesus because they very well could have lost their position and wealth following this rebel. But the woman could easily follow and as Luke mentions are able to provide the resources Jesus would use to survive as a travelling preacher with a large retinue. We don’t have this view of the disciples often in the gospels but it provides a view of Jesus not boxed into social norms, but finding all people valuable and worthy of love as well as serving. These special woman remain close to Jesus to the end even when the men disappeared.
Who do you depend upon? Are you able to see the worth of all people?Woman could follow Jesus and Luke mentions may provide the resources Jesus would use to survive as a travelling preacher with a large retinue. Special woman remain close to Jesus to the end even when the men disappeared. Click To Tweet
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