Lord’s Day, Vol. 14 No. 15
Showing the Glad Tidings of the Kingdom of God
Luke 8:1-3 (KJV) And it came to pass afterward, that he went throughout every city and village, preaching and shewing the glad tidings of the kingdom of God: and the twelve were with him, 2 And certain women, which had been healed of evil spirits and infirmities, Mary called Magdalene, out of whom went seven devils, 3 And Joanna the wife of Chuza Herod’s steward, and Susanna, and many others, which ministered unto him of their substance.
Our Lord was ministering in the Galilee region, preaching the gospel, “shewing the glad tidings of the kingdom of God.” He was in Capernaum healing the centurion’s servant who was sick and ready to die (Luke 7:1-9) and raising the only son of a widow in Nain (Luke 7:1-17), authenticating the minister of His forerunner, John the Baptizer, and a woman’s devotion anointing Him with an alabaster box of ointment and wiping His feet with her hair. Indeed, she was forgiven of much and demonstrated such love for our Lord.
Luke 7:47 (KJV) Wherefore I say unto thee, Her sins, which are many, are forgiven; for she loved much: but to whom little is forgiven, the same loveth little.
Luke went on here in chapter 8:1-3, the fruit of His ministry, a group of womenfolk who love the Lord and sacrificially cared for Jesus and His disciples with their substance.
While Peter would deny the Lord and Judas betray Him and Herod mocked Him and Pilate condemned Him, these women honoured Him and ministered to Him and to His disciples [Hendricksen]
The first to be mentioned was Mary Magdalene, who was delivered by our Lord of seven devils that possessed her. Life was a living hell for her until she was rescued from the clutches of the evil one. Life became wholesome and well. She owed much to the Lord for her deliverance. She loved the Lord more than others whom Jesus saved.
She was the first at the sepulchre early in the morning after Jesus died and was buried, bringing spices to anoint His body. She loved much because she was saved of much – Luke 24:10 (KJV) It was Mary Magdalene, and Joanna, and Mary the mother of James, and other women that were with them, which told these things unto the apostles.
And this Joanna, who was also early at the sepulchre of Jesus with Mary Magdalene, was the wife of Chuza, Herod’s steward. Although Herod was evil, he beheaded John the Baptizer for pointing out his sin of adultery, the Lord saved a precious one from Herod’s own household! Unlike her master Herod, Joanna loved the Lord and His disciples. Indeed, these women who served quietly taking care of the need of the Lord and His disciples are richly blessed of God (Matt. 25:34-40).
2 Corinthians 9:6-8 (KJV) But this I say, He which soweth sparingly shall reap also sparingly; and he which soweth bountifully shall reap also bountifully. 7 Every man according as he purposeth in his heart, so let him give; not grudgingly, or of necessity: for God loveth a cheerful giver. 8 And God is able to make all grace abound toward you; that ye, always having all sufficiency in all things, may abound to every good work: