#BalanceforBetter

Women Who Supported Jesus

"After this, Jesus traveled from one city and village to another. He spread the Good News about God’s kingdom. The twelve apostles were with him. Also, some women were with him. They had been cured from evil spirits and various illnesses. These women were Mary, also called Magdalene, from whom seven demons had gone out; Joanna, whose husband Chusa was Herod’s administrator; Susanna; and many other women. They provided financial support for Jesus and his disciples." Luke 8:1-3

I read that the theme for this year's International Women's Day is #BalanceforBetter. And of course it is not a one day thing, but this theme is for the whole year.

Unknown to many, the early church is full of women who played vital roles, then and up until today. In fact, in many cultures, most churches have been kept alive by women who most times make up majority of its congregations.

Above, Luke lists three women and there are many others listed in other chapters and many others who remain nameless. Paul also mentioned many other women and they too can be written about from time to time, all throughout the year.

Today, the three who Luke mentioned were (1) Mary Magdalene, possibly the most famous follower of Jesus.

What is interesting is that women were hardly written about in ancient history. But here, Luke specifically mentions three by name and to which we can only deduce to mean that these were deliberate, intentional and important to mention. They along with the men, travelled with Jesus from town to town. Mary was healed by Jesus and she like the rest of the disciples, gave up everything and followed Him.

(2) Joana, wife of King Herod’s administrator. The few things we know of her is that like Mary she was healed by Jesus, she was a witness to Jesus' resurrection and she gave money to support the early church.

(3) Susanna, who we know even less of but nonethless was a prominent woman who gave to and supported the cause of Jesus Christ.

These are but three of the many other nameless female followers of Jesus who gave out of their resources to fund the cause of the early church. Many other women have remained nameless, during those early years and throughout the last 2,000 years. Today, it continues but a disciple's intent is not to make themselves prominent but to make Jesus prominent in their own life, as well as in others'.