Joanna, Susanna and Many Others - Luke 8:3

Luke the beloved physician shared how Jesus, “went throughout every city and village, preaching and showing the glad tidings of the kingdom of God: and the twelve were with him. And certain women, which had been healed of evil spirits and infirmities, Mary called Magdalene, out of whom went seven devils, ...”, and in chapter eight and verse three of his book Luke shared about, “Joanna, Susanna and many others” where we read:

And Joanna the wife of Chuza Herod's steward, and Susanna,

and many others, which ministered unto him of their substance.

The verse reads, “And Joanna the wife of Chuza Herod's steward, and Susanna, ...” Luke began with the words, “and Joanna” whose name means “Jehovah is a gracious giver” “the wife of Chuza” which means “who was the female spouse belonging to Chuza whose name means the seer” “Herod's steward” or “the curator, guardian and manager of the household and lands of the name of a royal family that flourished among the Jews in the times of Christ and the Apostles. Herod the Great was the son of Antipater of Idumaea”, “and Susanna” whose name means “a lily”. Luke shared two more of the names of the women who ministered alongside Jesus – “Joanna and Susanna”.

The verse goes on to say, “and many others, which ministered unto him of their substance.” Luke continued with words, “and many others” which means “and a large group of other women”, “which ministered unto him” or “who served, attended to and supplied food and necessities of life” “of their substance” which means “from their possessions, goods, wealth and property”. Luke shared how a large group of women “served” Jesus with their “possessions and goods”.

When we think through Luke's words in this verse, we learn of many other women including “Joanna and Susanna” who served Jesus and the group traveling with Him by providing “goods and possessions” for them. These women ministered in a way many might call “behind the scenes”, and their support for the day to day needs of Jesus and the others was vital to the operation of the gospel. Not everyone is “up front” or “speakers” in the Kingdom of God, however their role in God's Kingdom is just as important to the functioning of the ministry as the others. God loves to involve people in His Kingdom who put their faith and trust in His Son Jesus, and those who minister to His people minister to Him. Let all who read these words not only yield their lives to Jesus as their personal “Savior and Lord”, but also submit themselves to be used within His Kingdom in whatever capacity He desires.

Next time we see Luke shared how Jesus, “spoke by a parable”, so read ahead, and we shall join together then.

Until tomorrow…there is more…

Look for the daily devotional book “Equipped for Battle – From Generation to Generation”, the marriage book “So, You Want to Be Married”, “One Year in the Sermon on the Mount” and the new poetry book "Random Mushrooms Volumes I and II" and the new novel "Elizabeth County" in all major bookstore sites, http://www.amazon.com ; http://www.barnesandnobles.com ; download to e-books, and find it locally at www.mrzlc.com/bookstore. All references are from "Strongs Concordance".