Pages 131-134 - The
Way-40 Days of Reflection (Daily Devotion Guide)
Way-40 Days of Reflection (Daily Devotion Guide)
The Women in Jesus’ Ministry
“Soon afterwards, he
went about through cities and villages, preaching and bringing the good news of
God’s Kingdom. With him were the twelve, and certain women who had been healed
of evil spirits and infirmities: Mary who was called Magdalene, from whom seven
demons had gone out; and Joanna, the wife of Chuzas, Herod’s steward; Susanna;
and many others; who served them from their possessions.”(Luke 8:1-3).
went about through cities and villages, preaching and bringing the good news of
God’s Kingdom. With him were the twelve, and certain women who had been healed
of evil spirits and infirmities: Mary who was called Magdalene, from whom seven
demons had gone out; and Joanna, the wife of Chuzas, Herod’s steward; Susanna;
and many others; who served them from their possessions.”(Luke 8:1-3).
We typically think of
Jesus traveling with his twelve disciples as he “went through the cities and
villages proclaiming and bringing the good news of the kingdom of God” (Luke
8:1), but Luke tells us that women traveled with him, too. So many of the
Gospel stories involve Jesus’ ministry with women! It is clear that he valued
women, had compassion for them, saw them as beloved children of God, and, by
his interest in them, demonstrated the value God places on women.
Jesus traveling with his twelve disciples as he “went through the cities and
villages proclaiming and bringing the good news of the kingdom of God” (Luke
8:1), but Luke tells us that women traveled with him, too. So many of the
Gospel stories involve Jesus’ ministry with women! It is clear that he valued
women, had compassion for them, saw them as beloved children of God, and, by
his interest in them, demonstrated the value God places on women.
Jesus’ attitudes toward
women stood in contrast to the cultural and religious traditions of the period.
Josephus, the first century Jewish historian wrote: “The women, says the Law,
is in all things inferior to man.”[From Flavius Josephus, Against Apion (translated H. St. J. Thackeray; Loeb Classical
Library; Cambridge, MA: Harvard University Press) 2. 200-201.] Women were
treated as property of their husbands and fathers. Yet Jesus treated women with
value and respect.
women stood in contrast to the cultural and religious traditions of the period.
Josephus, the first century Jewish historian wrote: “The women, says the Law,
is in all things inferior to man.”[From Flavius Josephus, Against Apion (translated H. St. J. Thackeray; Loeb Classical
Library; Cambridge, MA: Harvard University Press) 2. 200-201.] Women were
treated as property of their husbands and fathers. Yet Jesus treated women with
value and respect.
Notice the kinds of
women who were following Jesus. Luke tells us they had been cured of evil spirits
and infirmities. What kind of infirmities have they suffered from? The Gospels
report that these included internal bleeding, fevers, and maladies then thought
to be caused by demons, though now these are often associated with mental
illness. We also know that Jesus offered grace to prostitutes, women caught in
the act of adultery, and a woman divorced five times and living with a man who
was not her husband. We also know that Jesus was concerned not only for Jewish
women, but also for Samaritan and Gentile women as well.
women who were following Jesus. Luke tells us they had been cured of evil spirits
and infirmities. What kind of infirmities have they suffered from? The Gospels
report that these included internal bleeding, fevers, and maladies then thought
to be caused by demons, though now these are often associated with mental
illness. We also know that Jesus offered grace to prostitutes, women caught in
the act of adultery, and a woman divorced five times and living with a man who
was not her husband. We also know that Jesus was concerned not only for Jewish
women, but also for Samaritan and Gentile women as well.
The women Luke
describes were more than followers. They provided support for Jesus and the
twelve out of their own means. We learn in the Gospels that it was the women
who stood at the foot of the cross while the male disciples, with the exception
of John, were in hiding. It was the women who went to the tomb while the men continued
to hide. And it was to Mary Magdalene that Jesus first appeared after the
Resurrection. She became the first person to proclaim the resurrection of
Christ.
describes were more than followers. They provided support for Jesus and the
twelve out of their own means. We learn in the Gospels that it was the women
who stood at the foot of the cross while the male disciples, with the exception
of John, were in hiding. It was the women who went to the tomb while the men continued
to hide. And it was to Mary Magdalene that Jesus first appeared after the
Resurrection. She became the first person to proclaim the resurrection of
Christ.
I don’t know where I
would be without the female disciples who have entered my life. My grandmother
was the first to share Christ with me. My mom took me to church. Two women
encouraged me to be a pastor. My wife has been my partner in ministry, and most
of the best of my ideas I ever had were really hers. In the church I serve,
half of our leaders—lay, staff, and clergy—are women. Our aim for equality is
not an effort at political correctness but at congregational effectiveness.
Women mad possible the ministry of Jesus in the first century and they make his
ministry possible today.
would be without the female disciples who have entered my life. My grandmother
was the first to share Christ with me. My mom took me to church. Two women
encouraged me to be a pastor. My wife has been my partner in ministry, and most
of the best of my ideas I ever had were really hers. In the church I serve,
half of our leaders—lay, staff, and clergy—are women. Our aim for equality is
not an effort at political correctness but at congregational effectiveness.
Women mad possible the ministry of Jesus in the first century and they make his
ministry possible today.
Lord, thank you for these women who have come into
my life. Thank you for demonstrating the value of women in your ministry and, through
them, teaching us how you value women today. Amen.
my life. Thank you for demonstrating the value of women in your ministry and, through
them, teaching us how you value women today. Amen.
No comments:
Post a Comment