THE STORY OF JESUS: Luke 8:1-3
“These women were helping to support them out of their own means.” (Luke 8:3)
Do we realize how radical Jesus’ treatment of women was?
“The extremely low status that the Greek, Roman, and Jewish woman had for centuries was radically affected by the appearance of Jesus Christ. His actions and teachings raised the status of women to new heights, often to the consternation and dismay of his friends and enemies. By word and deed, he went against the ancient, taken-for-granted beliefs and practices that defined woman as socially, intellectually, and spiritually inferior.” (Schmidt, Alvin, Under the Influence: How Christianity Transformed Civilization, Grand Rapids: Zondervan, 2001)
Remember, Jesus represents God’s love in action.
He is proclaiming the restored creation kingdom, where Adam and Eve BOTH image God.
Women, children, slaves, foreigners, they all responded positively, eagerly to Jesus’ message.
He treated them equally as humans and sinners in need of love and grace.
Does our present living of the gospel demonstrate that same radical love?
There are a lot of complex issues and questions facing Jesus-followers today.
The lines are being questioned, even redrawn, and churches are fighting, splitting, as a result.
Without speaking to the specifics, one thing I know, I need to be known for my radical love.
If ‘undeserved grace’ is the heart of Jesus’ message, then it needs to be my heart too.
If viewing all people as brothers and sisters in need of God’s love was Jesus’ way…
Then that needs to be my way too!
What do you sense the Lord saying to you?
PRAYER
Lord, may the way I treat people cause them to want to support me too, because they sense Your love, Your grace, Your welcome.
I jumped past these few verses straight into the parable of the sower. Hmmm. Lord, I pray that you will continue to open my eyes to the details of your word & the lessons that lie even in a group of names.
Observations/Application
All for Jesus.
Mary had been healed and was also the the Mary who saw Christ after His resurrection. Joanna must also have been a person of position and means during this time. These women and others followed Jesus and supported His ministry, traveling with Him and His followers. What an example these and the other women played. What a role these women played. Certainly that wasn’t the role or position of women during that day. However, His call supported Him ministry. What a service. What a commitment.
Life changing.
Called to serve with their own wealth and position and commitment.
And I too need to do the same.
Called to serve.
Use my resources for His ministry.
Jesus, all for Jesus
All I am and have and ever hope to be
Jesus, all for Jesus
All I am and have and ever hope to be
All of my ambitions, hopes and plans
I surrender these into Your hands
All of my ambitions, hopes and plans
I surrender these into Your hands
For it’s only in Your will that I am free
For it’s only in Your will that I am free
Jesus, all for Jesus
All I am and have and ever hope to be