Dave's Diary

Daily Readings: Luke 8 and Psalm 24

It would be very easy to gloss over the opening verses of Luke 8. They stand in the shadows of Jesus’ very dramatic ministry. Jesus has just performed incredible miracles. He has healed the centurion’s son (7:1-10), raised a widow’s only son from the dead (7:11-17), and when John the Baptist’s disciples came to Him, he pointed out that through His ministry the lame now walked, the blind received sight, lepers were cleansed, the deaf heard again, the dead were raised to life, and good news was preached, even to the poor (7:22-23). In chapter 8, we have just read how Jesus taught the mysteries of the Kingdom of God, commanded a storm to be still, drove a legion of demons out of a man, healed a woman who had been haemorrhaging for twelve years, and raised Jairus’ daughter from the dead. In all of that drama, what value do the opening lines of Luke 8 add?

After this, Jesus travelled about from one town and village to another, proclaiming the good news of the kingdom of God. The Twelve were with him, ² and also some women who had been cured of evil spirits and diseases: Mary (called Magdalene) from whom seven demons had come out; ³ Joanna the wife of Chuza, the manager of Herod’s household; Susanna; and many others. These women were helping to support them out of their own means.

Quite simply, these were the women whose practical and financial support made Jesus’ itinerant ministry possible. Their private generosity with their resources lay quietly behind the dramatic power that Jesus displayed in public.

Now, there are lessons to be learned on both sides of this relationship.

From the women we learn the value and importance of sacrificing our financial and personal resources by giving them freely to the cause of Jesus’ Kingdom, rather than holding on to them for our own pleasure. They were humble and godly enough to give, and their generosity fueled the mission of Jesus.

From Jesus we learn the grace of receiving help from others. Some of us carry what we might call a ‘messiah complex’ – we always want to be the ones giving to others and being the answer to their needs. But notice that even Jesus did not have this kind of ‘messiah complex’. He freely allowed others to help Him, support Him and share in His ministry. Jesus was humble and godly enough to receive.

Life Application: Does your use of your financial and personal resources demonstrate your love for Christ and your commitment to His Kingdom? Do you allow others to come alongside you to help and support you and thereby demonstrate the humility and godliness of Jesus? What needs to change?