'Afterward he journeyed from one town and village to another, preaching and proclaiming the good news of the kingdom of God. Accompanying him were the Twelve and some women who had been cured of evil spirits and infirmities, Mary, called Magdalene, from whom seven demons had gone out, Joanna, the wife of Herod’s steward Chuza, Susanna, and many others who provided for them out of their resources (Lk. 8:1-3).’
Women had significant roles in Jesus’ ministry. The close group of disciples that followed Jesus through the Galilean towns and villages lived the word Jesus preached. The twelve men were a symbol of the twelve tribes of Israel (Acts 26:7).” The women disciples who accompanied Jesus would have been a scandal in first century Palestine. It was not uncommon for women to provide money, property or foodstuff to Rabbis or their disciples, but they never traveled with a Rabbi. It was made worse because not all of the women were of good repute. Joanna was a woman of position and means, but seven demons had been cast out of Mary of Magdala. The women who followed Jesus had been healed of illnesses or evil spirits and they followed him in the way and gave great testimony to the power of God’s kingdom over sickness and evil. The close group who followed Jesus represented all aspects of God’s kingdom – men and women, single and married, healthy and sick, rich and poor. These women were present at the Last Supper, in Jerusalem when Jesus was on the way to Calvary, at his death, his burial, and at the empty tomb.
Almighty God, grant us the grace to bear great witness to your kingdom like the women who followed Jesus on the road to Calvary. In your unbounded mercy strengthen us so that we may walk with Jesus without fear or trepidation and follow him to Calvary if it may save but one soul from eternal separation from you. This we pray through Christ our Lord. Amen!
References
Chiu, José Enrique Aguilar, et al. The Paulist Biblical Commentary. Paulist Press, 2018.
Faculty of the University of Navarre. The Navarre Bible: New Testament Expanded Edition. Expanded Edition, Four Courts / Scepter, 2008.
Brown, Raymond Edward, et al. The New Jerome Biblical Commentary. Upper Saddle River, NJ, United States, Prentice Hall, 1990.
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