This is a brief summary statement from Luke about the way things were at this time in Jesus’s earthly ministry. We might speed our way through it and not give it much thought. But there is a lot here.
First, we’re told that as Jesus went about proclaiming the good news, not only were the 12 disciples with him, but also women who had been healed of illness and from whom evil spirits had been cast out. So we know that Jesus had women followers who accompanied him. They saw everything He did and heard Him speak. They were eyewitnesses and students just as were the disciples. We are given the names of three of these women: Mary of Magdala, Joanna and Susanna. There are ‘many others’ who aren’t named. Jesus did not exclude these women from his ministry journeys as other rabbis certainly would have.
Another thing we note is that they have so much to be grateful for as they followed Him. They were healed of illness and Mary of Magdala had 7 demons cast out! He gave these women a whole new life and future. Because they were grateful, and because they believed in Him, they supported the ministry financially. It was these women who paid for food, travel, supplies, maybe clothing and sandals and blankets!
It looks as though there was some social variety here. Mary, with the seven demons on board, would have been at the bottom of society, shunned and friendless. Joanna, who had influence and wealth from being the wife of a government official, was from the upper crust. Jesus pulled together not just women and men, but people from every part of society.
What can we learn from these women? First, we can remember that these women existed as important followers of Jesus. We can learn not to be afraid to follow the generous impulses of our hearts, when Jesus is calling. We can learn not to hesitate to step outside the norm when we are following Jesus. We can learn that the support of men and women, along with their presence, their resources and their listening, supportive faces, was important to Jesus in His ministry. Please know that you are important in these same ways today to your church and your pastors! As the pandemic loosens its hold on us, we want to see you. We want to walk and talk and learn and grow side-by-side with each one of you.