Scripture Daily

Context No. 4132 of 4322 · Luke

Context · Reflection

Luke 8:1-8: in context

1Soon afterwards, he went about through cities and villages, preaching and bringing the good news of God’s Kingdom. With him were the twelve, 2and certain women who had been healed of evil spirits and infirmities: Mary who was called Magdalene, from whom seven demons had gone out; 3and Joanna, the wife of Chuzas, Herod’s steward; Susanna; and many others who served them from their possessions. 4When a great multitude came together and people from every city were coming to him, he spoke by a parable: 5“The farmer went out to sow his seed. As he sowed, some fell along the road, and it was trampled under foot, and the birds of the sky devoured it. 6Some seed fell on the rock, and as soon as it grew, it withered away, because it had no moisture. 7Some fell amid the thorns, and the thorns grew with it and choked it. 8Some fell into the good ground and grew and produced one hundred times as much fruit.” As he said these things, he called out, “He who has ears to hear, let him hear!”

As Jesus traveled through the towns preaching the good news, the twelve were with him, but so were some others often overlooked: certain women who had been healed by Jesus, Mary Magdalene, Joanna, Susanna, and many others, who supported him and the disciples out of their own means.

These women, grateful for what Jesus had done in their lives, gave of their resources to make his ministry possible. There is something worth noticing in this quiet detail. Jesus' ministry was supported, in practical and material ways, by these faithful women, who are rarely at the center of the story but whose generous provision helped sustain the whole work. They had received much from Jesus, healing, deliverance, new life, and they responded by giving what they had to serve him and his mission. Not everyone preaches or leads, but many can support the work of God with their resources and practical help, as these women did. Their names are recorded in Scripture, honored by God, though the world would have overlooked them.

Do I support the work of God with my resources and practical help, giving out of gratitude for what he has done for me, valuing this quiet form of service that God honors even when the world overlooks it?

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