Gospel Reading Luke 8:1-15
1Soon afterwards he went on through cities and villages, proclaiming and bringing the good news of the kingdom of God. The twelve were with him, 2as well as some women who had been cured of evil spirits and infirmities: Mary, called Magdalene, from whom seven demons had gone out, 3and Joanna, the wife of Herod’s steward Chuza, and Susanna, and many others, who provided for them out of their resources.
This Lectionary reading for today is interesting because the women are mentioned, three by name: Mary (called Magdalene), Joanna, Susanna "and many others." This is the second time in a month of readings that Luke mentions the women with Jesus. We also heard about them on Easter morning---many of them were the same women. Click here for that passage.
At first glance, I wryly thought---"well, things haven't changed much." The women in the Easter passage were taking spices to the tomb to prepare the body of Christ. They were making sure everything was tidy, clean and smelled good to honor Jesus in death. And, in today's passage they are "providing" --- we assume they are cooking and feeding the disciples---possibly washing and mending. But, wait. . . .
At first glance, I wryly thought---"well, things haven't changed much." The women in the Easter passage were taking spices to the tomb to prepare the body of Christ. They were making sure everything was tidy, clean and smelled good to honor Jesus in death. And, in today's passage they are "providing" --- we assume they are cooking and feeding the disciples---possibly washing and mending. But, wait. . . .
First, I noticed the disciples are "the twelve" and not named in this passage, but several women are. This indicates the focus in this passage is intended to be on the women who are "providing out of their resources" We don't know if they are providing the funding for the ministry or the food---perhaps both. After all, Joanna is the wife of Herod's steward which could be a hint as to the kind of resources they are providing. She would have been a very wealthy woman and perhaps the other women were too. Is this Luke's way of thanking them or is he acknowledging the importance of their role in the ministry of Christ?
As scholars have mentioned, it would be very unusual for women in this era to be traveling with an itinerant band unless they were wealthy and powerful. They were certainly not "camp followers"---Jesus has made his position on adultery very clear and they would not have been named.
No, these were women who were respected by Jesus and Luke. The other interesting part of this passage is they are "women who had been cured of evil spirits and infirmities." These were women who had been flawed by mental or physical illness and had found peace and healing in Jesus' presence and teachings. Regardless of their past, they were welcome.
This speaks volumes on who is welcome to join Jesus on his journey: everyone is welcome---the flawed, the cured, men, women, the poor and the wealthy---if they are willing to serve.
As scholars have mentioned, it would be very unusual for women in this era to be traveling with an itinerant band unless they were wealthy and powerful. They were certainly not "camp followers"---Jesus has made his position on adultery very clear and they would not have been named.
No, these were women who were respected by Jesus and Luke. The other interesting part of this passage is they are "women who had been cured of evil spirits and infirmities." These were women who had been flawed by mental or physical illness and had found peace and healing in Jesus' presence and teachings. Regardless of their past, they were welcome.
This speaks volumes on who is welcome to join Jesus on his journey: everyone is welcome---the flawed, the cured, men, women, the poor and the wealthy---if they are willing to serve.
Dear God, Open our eyes to the ways we ALL can serve you. We may be flawed, but we are still welcome within the church if we are willing to serve. We may have sinned, but we are still welcome within the church if we are willing to serve. Help us to follow the paths that Mary, Joanna, and Susanna have shown us.
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