#1372 Luke 8 Part 1 Women Of Means

 

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 them out of their means. Luke 8: 1-3 ESV

Luke 8: 1-3

Soon afterward - We just left the dinner gathering at Simon's house where Jesus forgave the "sinful woman". 

He went on through the cities and villages - Nothing really changes, this is His priority, though He has been through the area of Galilee before, yet the next line reads, "proclaiming and bringing the good news of the kingdom of God." This seems central to His ministry, but the location is not the Jewish center of philosophy and religion, that would be in Jerusalem. He keeps ministering to those who the Pharisees and religious elite look down on. He picks disciples from the fishermen of this area, and one of His disciples is even a tax collector.

17 and the scroll of the prophet Isaiah was handed to him. Unrolling it, he found the place where it is written:

18 “The Spirit of the Lord is on me,

because he has anointed me

to proclaim good news to the poor.

He has sent me to proclaim freedom for the prisoners

and recovery of sight for the blind,

to set the oppressed free,

19 to proclaim the year of the Lord’s favor.”

20 Then he rolled up the scroll, gave it back to the attendant and sat down. The eyes of everyone in the synagogue were fastened on him. 21 He began by saying to them, “Today this scripture is fulfilled in your hearing.” Luke 4: 17-21

Proclaiming and bringing the good news of the kingdom of God - If you think back to the last post, what was the good news? A woman came to Him who was a sinner, and she came weeping over her sin, humbled by the presence of such a One as Christ, and everyone in the room found out that He forgives sinners. The ones who struggled with this the most were the ones who thought they weren't sinners. If you're a sinner then this is fantastic news. How does He have the authority to do this? Well first, He is God and all sin is ultimately against God, secondly, He adds to His eternal nature, His deity, humanity. He becomes one of us, because mankind is fallen, and like the Jews in Egypt we need someone to lead us out from the slavery of sin. He becomes a man to fulfill the law which we have trespassed. Thirdly, He comes to die, because the wages of sin is death, and because He is a Holy God He does not shrink back from His original intent in order to show love. In all of this He actually defines love, and it is way beyond our common definitions. 

…8Whoever does not love does not know God, because God is love. 9This is how God’s love was revealed among us: God sent His one and only Son into the world, so that we might live through Him. 10And love consists in this: not that we loved God, but that He loved us and sent His Son as the atoning sacrifice for our sins.… 1 John 4: 8-10

And the twelve were with Him - This is speaking about His core twelve disciples, the One's He has called Apostles. They, except for Judas, will become the pillars of the church.

…69We believe and know that You are the Holy One of God.” 70 Jesus answered them, “Have I not chosen you, the Twelve? Yet one of you is a devil!” 71He was speaking about Judas, the son of Simon Iscariot. For although Judas was one of the Twelve, he was later to betray Jesus.… John 6: 69-71

…27“Look,” Peter replied, “we have left everything to follow You. What then will there be for us?” 28 Jesus said to them, “Truly I tell you, in the renewal of all things, when the Son of Man sits on His glorious throne, you who have followed Me will also sit on twelve thrones, judging the twelve tribes of Israel. 29And everyone who has left houses or brothers or sisters or father or mother or wife or children or fields for the sake of My name will receive a hundredfold and will inherit eternal life.… Matthew 19: 27-29

And also some women who had been healed of evil spirits and infirmities - Just like the woman in the last chapter was overwhelmed with gratitude and love towards the Lord, so it seems these also followed in like manner. Anyone who has actually believed has far more to be grateful for than to ever murmur about. Everything now is but moments, whispers, nothing to get worked up about. A question that often comes up is why the differentiation between the 12 disciples and the women? As they were also a part of Christ's ministry, and were themselves disciples in the sense of learning, just like Martha's sister, Mary, for example, yet no women are called as Apostles. The answer is not one of culture as some suggest, though the question often arises from the current culture. In present culture there is a movement that calls itself feminist, but is also quick to deny long observed definitions of what a woman is, like science, dictionary definitions that say adult, female, human being. Sadly, the so called "church" is often more influenced by the culture than the word of God, and thinks such distinctions made in the early church are archaic, only for that time. God has by design assigned roles to men and women, some are obvious biological traits like the ability to become pregnant and carry a child. Everyone comes from a woman so their is no dishonor on the part of God towards that sex, and motherhood is esteemed. We are told in scripture not only to honor our fathers but also out mothers. That God has assigned different roles to men and women in the church is no dishonor either; in fact, I would argue that dishonor only comes when we try to live outside God's design and will. Many today have acknowledged that the role of the father is more important than we thought, even secular science, especially in the discipline of psychiatry has shown the value of a father's presence in the life of his children. Even Obama once recognized that, but that doesn't stop the culture from wanting against reality. It is by design the same for mothers, they are irreplaceable, and yet the culture puts down the role of housewife, of a mom who stays at home, who homeschools and guards the minds and lives of her children. They always want to suggest that this is secondary, less rewarding, and that you are losing out on something much better, but that's not what God says. He gives roles, He distinguishes between men and women, but neither is made less. In fact the kingdom of God operates much in reverse to our culture. God resists the proud but gives grace to the humble. It is better to give than to receive. The greatest among you must be the servant of all. It is sad to see the world's corruption gain such a foot hold in the church. Half of the false teachers out there could easily be avoided if you understood God's design for both men and women in the church.

38As they traveled along, Jesus entered a village where a woman named Martha welcomed Him into her home. 39She had a sister named Mary, who sat at the Lord’s feet listening to His message. 40But Martha was distracted by all the preparations to be made. She came to Jesus and said, “Lord, do You not care that my sister has left me to serve alone? Tell her to help me!”…

…41“Martha, Martha,” the Lord replied, “you are worried and upset about many things. 42But only one thing is necessary. Mary has chosen the good portion, and it will not be taken away from her.” Luke 10: 38-42

Darrell Bock on women with Jesus - Because of the centuries that have passed since Jesus walked the earth, it is hard for us to appreciate how revolutionary Luke’s picture of Jesus’ ministry is. Women’s involvement in supporting Jesus’ ministry is an example. Though some wealthy women supported religious figures in ancient times (Josephus Antiquities 17.2.4), it was unusual for them to be as involved as the women in this passage are with Jesus. In fact, this passage is one of several unique to Luke that focus on women (others include Lk 1:5–39+, Elizabeth; Lk 2:36–38+, Anna the prophetess; Lk 7:36–50+, the sinful woman; Lk 10:38–42+, Martha and Mary; Lk 13:10–17+, the healing of the crippled woman; Lk 15:8–10+, the parable of the woman with the lost coin; Lk 18:1–8+, the parable of the woman and the judge). Many men of the time believed that women were not even to be seen, much less heard. In a later Jewish text, t. Berakot 7:18 (see this note below), one leader rejoiced that he was not a pagan, a woman or unlearned (Fitzmyer 1981:696). In contrast, Luke and the New Testament declare that women have equal access to the blessings of grace and salvation. Whatever distinctions the Bible makes between male and female roles, there is no distinction when it comes to being coheirs in grace (Gal 3:28–29+; 1 Pet 3:7+).....Their hearts were sensitive to God’s work, and they expressed this sensitivity through their generosity. (Luke 7:1-8:3 Movements to Faith) (Bolding added) - Precept Austin

As in all the churches of the saints, 34 the women should keep silent in the churches. For they are not permitted to speak, but should be in submission, as the Law also says. 35 If there is anything they desire to learn, let them ask their husbands at home. For it is shameful for a woman to speak in church.

36 Or was it from you that the word of God came? Or are you the only ones it has reached? 37 If anyone thinks that he is a prophet, or spiritual, he should acknowledge that the things I am writing to you are a command of the Lord. 38 If anyone does not recognize this, he is not recognized. 39 So, my brothers, earnestly desire to prophesy, and do not forbid speaking in tongues. 40 But all things should be done decently and in order. 1 Corinthians 14: 33-40

…3Older women, likewise, are to be reverent in their behavior, not slanderers or addicted to much wine, but teachers of good. 4In this way they can train the young women to love their husbands and children, 5to be self-controlled, pure, managers of their households, kind, and submissive to their own husbands, so that the word of God will not be discredited.… Titus 2: 3-5

And again, there is nothing special about either sex in relationship to Christ, all have the same standing regardless of the importance of the roles to which we are called.

…27For all of you who were baptized into Christ have clothed yourselves with Christ. 28There is neither Jew nor Greek, slave nor free, male nor female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus. 29And if you belong to Christ, then you are Abraham’s seed and heirs according to the promise.… Galatians 3: 27-29

Mary, called Magdalene - Dr. Luke makes a distinction between sickness and possession. 

Mary Magdalene became a devoted follower and servant of Jesus who stayed with Him until the very end watching His agony on the Cross (imagine her emotions! cf Jn 20:11) (Mt 27:55,56, Mk 15:40, Jn 19:25). After His crucifixion Mary saw where Jesus was laid (Mt 27:61, Mk 15:47, Lk 23:55+), and participated in the anointing of His body (Mt 28:1, Mk 16:1, Lk 24:10+). John’s Gospel records a special resurrection appearance Jesus made to Mary Magdalene who became the first person recorded to have witnessed Jesus after his resurrection (John 20:11-18). Robertson observes that "The presence of seven demons in one person indicates special malignity (Mark 5:9). See Matt. 12:45 for the parable of the demon who came back with seven other demons worse than the first. It is not known where Magdala was, whence Mary came." - Precept Austin

Herod's household manager - Interesting that the gospel had even made it's way to the political elite, and her being a woman of means, like Joseph of Arimathea, and others, contributed to the ministry in many ways. If you look at the woman of Proverbs 31 she is an astounding manager of both home and business, home being the first priority, raising Godly offspring. Some women I have known to be the best managers and administrators, far surpassing their male bosses who seemed to need quite an entourage to accomplish anything. 

A wife of noble character who can find?

She is worth far more than rubies.

11 Her husband has full confidence in her

and lacks nothing of value.

12 She brings him good, not harm,

all the days of her life.

13 She selects wool and flax

and works with eager hands.

14 She is like the merchant ships,

bringing her food from afar.

15 She gets up while it is still night;

she provides food for her family

and portions for her female servants.

16 She considers a field and buys it;

out of her earnings she plants a vineyard.

17 She sets about her work vigorously;

her arms are strong for her tasks.

18 She sees that her trading is profitable,

and her lamp does not go out at night.

19 In her hand she holds the distaff

and grasps the spindle with her fingers.

20 She opens her arms to the poor

and extends her hands to the needy.

21 When it snows, she has no fear for her household;

for all of them are clothed in scarlet.

22 She makes coverings for her bed;

she is clothed in fine linen and purple.

23 Her husband is respected at the city gate,

where he takes his seat among the elders of the land.

24 She makes linen garments and sells them,

and supplies the merchants with sashes.

25 She is clothed with strength and dignity;

she can laugh at the days to come.

26 She speaks with wisdom,

and faithful instruction is on her tongue.

27 She watches over the affairs of her household

and does not eat the bread of idleness.

28 Her children arise and call her blessed;

her husband also, and he praises her:

29 “Many women do noble things,

but you surpass them all.”

30 Charm is deceptive, and beauty is fleeting;

but a woman who fears the Lord is to be praised. Proverbs 31: 10-30

Civilization rest upon the pillars of the family, and God has chosen women to be the guard of such, and it is the highest honor to be what God has designed us to be. We are all sinners and approach things from a mind set of self worship and cultural belonging, but repentance is always turning from that shattered image to the word of God where the Spirit restores us to the likeness of Christ.