“And also some women” (Luke 8:1-3)
Minister’s Letter – 24/3/22
Friends, in the opening verses of chapter 8, Luke briefly describes the itinerant preaching ministry of Jesus and his disciples throughout the towns and villages of Galilee. It would be easy to miss a detail unique to Luke’s Gospel at this point - his mention of the women who are recorded alongside the Twelve:
‘The Twelve were with him, and also some women who had been cured of evil spirits and diseases…’
One of Luke’s themes has been the cost of following Jesus. It appears that these women are among those who weighed the cost and responded to the call, not just as followers but as those who enabled the ministry.
This would have been practically complicated, socially risky, and culturally very unusual. But Luke’s highlighting of them invites us to pause and consider the significance of their inclusion.
Three in particular are named: Mary, Joanna and Susanna.
Mary Magdalene appears multiple times in the Gospels (but is not to be identified as the sinful woman of Luke 7). We know that she had been healed of seven demons, and that she remained a faithful disciple to the end. The other Gospels identify her at the crucifixion, discovering the empty tomb, and, in John’s Gospel, as the first person to witness to the risen Jesus.
“The Virgin Lamenting, St. John & the Holy Woman of Galilee”
Hans Memling, 1485-90, Museu de Arte de São Paulo (MASP)
Joanna is identified as ‘the wife of Chuza, the manager of Herod’s household’ and therefore a woman from the higher echelons of society. She has exchanged her life of privilege for one among the people of rural Galilee. She is also an early witness of the empty tomb (Luke 24:3).
Intriguingly, Susanna does not appear anywhere else in the Bible, but she is named as one of these women who were resourcing the ministry of Jesus.
What does Luke want his readers to understand? Firstly, these women, among many others, were disciples of Jesus. Not one of the Twelve, who were specifically appointed by Jesus, but women who followed him learned from him.
Secondly, they were participants in Kingdom work. They did not just follow, they contributed. Presumably ‘out of their own means’ meant financial or material support. We do not know what other contribution they may have made, but what we see is a body of believers combining their gifts, skills and devotion for the progress of the gospel.
Thirdly, they embody true discipleship. Jesus says,
‘Whoever wants to be my disciple must deny themselves, take up their cross and follow me’ (Luke 9:23).
These women in various ways have embraced costly discipleship.
In his Gospel and in the book of Acts, Luke shows a particular concern for the dignity and purpose of women in the Kingdom of God.
But this is part of a wider Biblical theme in which the gospel of Jesus Christ does not discriminate. There is no class, culture, gender, race or background from which disciples cannot come. God is blind to the differences that side-track us! He desires wholehearted, generous and humble servants, who give what they can of their resources, and who share their gifts in service of the Kingdom.
In Christ,
Rev Ruth Schroeter, Associate Minister