Knowing The Word in Luke 8:1-3, Women Accompanying Jesus

Luke no longer mentions Jesus going to synagogues, so perhaps he is preaching in the open air in larger spaces as his reputation has likely preceded him in his continuing wandering ministry and preaching tour. Rabbis refused to teach women, considering them inferior, but Jesus freely admitted them into his fellowship. We learn of three women associated with Jesus’ ministry. Mary Magdalene, meaning from a place named Magdala, had many demons cast out of her. This does not necessarily mean she had been living an immoral life. Usually many demons refer to a mental or physical disorder. But Christian tradition has made her a beautiful woman rescued by Jesus out on an immoral life. Chuza, being Herod’s manager, was a man of means, and apparently his wife shared some of those means with Jesus. It also indicates that Chuza may have been someone who told Herod stories about Jesus. Joanna shows up again in chapter 24 on the day of resurrection, but nothing more is known of her. Susanna is only mentioned here. We learn here that the financial needs of Jesus’ ministry were met by women. No woman ever takes action against Jesus in the gospels. His enemies are all men.

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.

Prayer:

O God, the father of the forsaken, the help of the weak, the supplier of the needy; you teach us that love towards the race of man is the bond of perfectness and the imitation of your blessed self. Open and touch our hearts that we may see and do, both for this world and that which is to come, the things that belong to our peace. Strengthen us in the work which we have undertaken; give us wisdom, perseverance, faith and zeal, and in your own time and according to your pleasure prosper the issue; for the love of your Son, Christ Jesus.

Lord Shaftesbury, 1801-1885