8 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 them1 out of their means.
Section Overview
Luke 8:1 summarizes Jesus’ ministry of proclaiming the good news of the kingdom in various cities and towns. We are then told, not surprisingly, that the Twelve accompany him. What is more surprising is that women also follow Jesus and support him out of their means. Their generosity and devotion to Jesus illustrates what it means to be a disciple. They love much because they have been forgiven much.
Section Outline
Response
Jesus calls both men and women to be his disciples and, even in the patriarchal world in which Jesus ministers, makes it clear that women are as valuable as men and that they play a valuable role in advancing the kingdom. Sometimes people think the Christian faith has devalued women, but no other faith has more emphasized the personhood, dignity, and importance of women than the Christian faith. (Christians have, of course, also been guilty of sin and abuse toward women in history.) This narrative indicates that one way in which we live as disciples of Jesus is to give our money to support the cause of the gospel. A very practical indicator of our discipleship is whether we are generous with our finances.