Thursday, May 25, 2006
PRIVATE SUPPORT
The next woman in Luke’s list is Joanna the wife of Chuza, Herod’s steward. Steward is epitropos – a word meaning commissioner, trustee, guardian, or manager. We see the word used as foreman in Matt. 20:8 “And when evening had come, the owner of the vineyard said to his foreman, `Call the laborers and pay them their wages, beginning with the last group to the first.' Vincent defines this word as the one to whom the management of affairs is turned over. This is the one who was to look over Herod’s financial interests. Chuza was a well trusted individual who Herod, no doubt, took good care of.
Joanna fell into the category of those who had been healed. Nothing but Jesus healing would do for her no matter how much wealth they could amass. She was the wife of a dignitary; a first lady but status cannot bring the healing that she was in desperate need of. Jesus took care of that matter and she forsook all and followed Him.
Susanna is only mentioned here and nothing further is known about her. Luke, under the inspiration of the Holy Spirit, deemed it necessary to record her name with these women who came out of Galilee to serve their Lord that all future generations might know her.
V3c. and many others who were contributing to their support out of their private means.
Mary, Joanna, and Susanna were not alone because there were many others (women) who were contributing to Jesus and the twelve in their evangelistic efforts in proclaiming the kingdom of God.
Jesus was a carpenter in Nazareth and would have to work to gain compensation. The same was true of the fishermen. These left all to follow Him and would likely have little funds to finance their efforts. Matthew may have accumulated some savings but scripture attests that the women contributed support out of their private means. In this verse we find that the true strength of a man’s mission lies in the background; the support of a godly woman. A man’s integrity is supremely shaped by no one greater that his mother and the impact he displays on the world is ultimately in the hands of his wife.
We see that these women were in need, and none other than Jesus could render them aid. Calvin writes, “To be associated with such persons might be thought dishonorable; for what could be more unworthy of the Son of God than to lead about with him women who were marked with infamy? But this enables us more clearly to perceive that the crimes, with which we were loaded before we believed, are so far from diminishing the glory of Christ, that they tend rather to raise it to a higher pitch. And, certainly it is not said that the church which he elected was found by him to be without spot and blemish, but cleansed it with his blood, and made it pure and fair.”
Joanna fell into the category of those who had been healed. Nothing but Jesus healing would do for her no matter how much wealth they could amass. She was the wife of a dignitary; a first lady but status cannot bring the healing that she was in desperate need of. Jesus took care of that matter and she forsook all and followed Him.
Susanna is only mentioned here and nothing further is known about her. Luke, under the inspiration of the Holy Spirit, deemed it necessary to record her name with these women who came out of Galilee to serve their Lord that all future generations might know her.
V3c. and many others who were contributing to their support out of their private means.
Mary, Joanna, and Susanna were not alone because there were many others (women) who were contributing to Jesus and the twelve in their evangelistic efforts in proclaiming the kingdom of God.
Jesus was a carpenter in Nazareth and would have to work to gain compensation. The same was true of the fishermen. These left all to follow Him and would likely have little funds to finance their efforts. Matthew may have accumulated some savings but scripture attests that the women contributed support out of their private means. In this verse we find that the true strength of a man’s mission lies in the background; the support of a godly woman. A man’s integrity is supremely shaped by no one greater that his mother and the impact he displays on the world is ultimately in the hands of his wife.
We see that these women were in need, and none other than Jesus could render them aid. Calvin writes, “To be associated with such persons might be thought dishonorable; for what could be more unworthy of the Son of God than to lead about with him women who were marked with infamy? But this enables us more clearly to perceive that the crimes, with which we were loaded before we believed, are so far from diminishing the glory of Christ, that they tend rather to raise it to a higher pitch. And, certainly it is not said that the church which he elected was found by him to be without spot and blemish, but cleansed it with his blood, and made it pure and fair.”
Wednesday, May 24, 2006
WOMEN WHO CAME OUT OF GALILEE
Vv. 2b-3b. Mary who was called Magdalene, from whom seven demons had gone out, 3. and Joanna the wife of Chuza, Herod's steward, and Susanna
Luke groups Mary Magdalene in with the women that he refers to as those who had come with Him out of Galilee. Luke 23:55 Now the women who had come with Him out of Galilee followed after, and saw the tomb and how His body was laid. This portion of scripture is toward the end of his gospel that looks back to these first verses in Chapter 8. However, just to make certain that the record is straight he lists them by name again in verse 10 of the following chapter: Luke 24:10 Now they were Mary Magdalene and Joanna and Mary the mother of James; also the other women with them were telling these things to the apostles.
John tells us of Mary Magdalene’s experience as the first to witness the resurrected Christ. John 20:1-2, 10-18 Now on the first day of the week Mary Magdalene came early to the tomb, while it was still dark, and saw the stone already taken away from the tomb. 2. And so she ran and came to Simon Peter, and to the other disciple whom Jesus loved, and said to them, "They have taken away the Lord out of the tomb, and we do not know where they have laid Him." 10. So the disciples went away again to their own homes. 11. But Mary was standing outside the tomb weeping; and so, as she wept, she stooped and looked into the tomb; 12. and she beheld two angels in white sitting, one at the head, and one at the feet, where the body of Jesus had been lying. 13. And they said to her, "Woman, why are you weeping?" She said to them, "Because they have taken away my Lord, and I do not know where they have laid Him." 14. When she had said this, she turned around, and beheld Jesus standing there, and did not know that it was Jesus. 15. Jesus said to her, "Woman, why are you weeping? Whom are you seeking?" Supposing Him to be the gardener, she said to Him, "Sir, if you have carried Him away, tell me where you have laid Him, and I will take Him away." 16. Jesus said to her, "Mary!" She turned and said to Him in Hebrew, "Rabboni!" (which means, Teacher). 17. Jesus said to her, "Stop clinging to Me, for I have not yet ascended to the Father; but go to My brethren, and say to them, `I ascend to My Father and your Father, and My God and your God.'" 18. Mary Magdalene came, announcing to the disciples, "I have seen the Lord," and that He had said these things to her. From this point she passes out of history.
Luke groups Mary Magdalene in with the women that he refers to as those who had come with Him out of Galilee. Luke 23:55 Now the women who had come with Him out of Galilee followed after, and saw the tomb and how His body was laid. This portion of scripture is toward the end of his gospel that looks back to these first verses in Chapter 8. However, just to make certain that the record is straight he lists them by name again in verse 10 of the following chapter: Luke 24:10 Now they were Mary Magdalene and Joanna and Mary the mother of James; also the other women with them were telling these things to the apostles.
John tells us of Mary Magdalene’s experience as the first to witness the resurrected Christ. John 20:1-2, 10-18 Now on the first day of the week Mary Magdalene came early to the tomb, while it was still dark, and saw the stone already taken away from the tomb. 2. And so she ran and came to Simon Peter, and to the other disciple whom Jesus loved, and said to them, "They have taken away the Lord out of the tomb, and we do not know where they have laid Him." 10. So the disciples went away again to their own homes. 11. But Mary was standing outside the tomb weeping; and so, as she wept, she stooped and looked into the tomb; 12. and she beheld two angels in white sitting, one at the head, and one at the feet, where the body of Jesus had been lying. 13. And they said to her, "Woman, why are you weeping?" She said to them, "Because they have taken away my Lord, and I do not know where they have laid Him." 14. When she had said this, she turned around, and beheld Jesus standing there, and did not know that it was Jesus. 15. Jesus said to her, "Woman, why are you weeping? Whom are you seeking?" Supposing Him to be the gardener, she said to Him, "Sir, if you have carried Him away, tell me where you have laid Him, and I will take Him away." 16. Jesus said to her, "Mary!" She turned and said to Him in Hebrew, "Rabboni!" (which means, Teacher). 17. Jesus said to her, "Stop clinging to Me, for I have not yet ascended to the Father; but go to My brethren, and say to them, `I ascend to My Father and your Father, and My God and your God.'" 18. Mary Magdalene came, announcing to the disciples, "I have seen the Lord," and that He had said these things to her. From this point she passes out of history.
Tuesday, May 23, 2006
MARY MAGDALENE
Vv. 2b-3b. Mary who was called Magdalene, from whom seven demons had gone out, 3. and Joanna the wife of Chuza, Herod's steward, and Susanna
We see the attention that Luke gives three women by purposefully identifying them by name; Mary Magdalene, Joanna, and Susanna.
Before we look into who Mary Magdalene is, we look to Doctor Luke and see that his diagnosis of her is that she is from whom seven demons had gone out. Luke is the doctor and he is familiar with the seven demons and symptoms by his personal observation or reliable sources. It would be pure conjecture to go beyond what he has written if we were to further define these demons or venture to say in what method or manner they had gone out.
An air of mystery surrounds this woman called Mary of Magdala or Mary the Magdalene. Most of this is unjust as we will see. First we must understand that Mary was a common name given to many women just as it is today. The reason she is called the Magdalene is to distinguish her from the other women named Mary. Calvin says, “Luke adds the surname Magdalene to distinguish her from the sister of Martha, and other persons of the name Mary, who are mentioned in other passages (John 11:1; 19:25).”
Magdala means a tower or fortress and the town that bore this name was located on the western shore of the Sea of Galilee about midway. The Talmud records that the city of Magdala had a reputation for prostitution. However, this could be true of any city because wherever there is a market a supplier will be found.
We find some who equate the sinneress in Luke’s previous passages to Mary Magdalene but this also is farfetched given the attention that Luke gives to the details of his gospel. The sinneress goes unnamed but we have a definitive Mary Magdalene.
We see the attention that Luke gives three women by purposefully identifying them by name; Mary Magdalene, Joanna, and Susanna.
Before we look into who Mary Magdalene is, we look to Doctor Luke and see that his diagnosis of her is that she is from whom seven demons had gone out. Luke is the doctor and he is familiar with the seven demons and symptoms by his personal observation or reliable sources. It would be pure conjecture to go beyond what he has written if we were to further define these demons or venture to say in what method or manner they had gone out.
An air of mystery surrounds this woman called Mary of Magdala or Mary the Magdalene. Most of this is unjust as we will see. First we must understand that Mary was a common name given to many women just as it is today. The reason she is called the Magdalene is to distinguish her from the other women named Mary. Calvin says, “Luke adds the surname Magdalene to distinguish her from the sister of Martha, and other persons of the name Mary, who are mentioned in other passages (John 11:1; 19:25).”
Magdala means a tower or fortress and the town that bore this name was located on the western shore of the Sea of Galilee about midway. The Talmud records that the city of Magdala had a reputation for prostitution. However, this could be true of any city because wherever there is a market a supplier will be found.
We find some who equate the sinneress in Luke’s previous passages to Mary Magdalene but this also is farfetched given the attention that Luke gives to the details of his gospel. The sinneress goes unnamed but we have a definitive Mary Magdalene.
Monday, May 22, 2006
NEW LIFE
Vv. 1c-2a. and the twelve were with Him, 2. and also some women who had been healed of evil spirits and sicknesses
Jesus was not alone in His evangelistic efforts; the twelve were with Him. This would include the disciples listed in Mark 3:16-17 and Luke 6:14-16. But included in his entourage were also some women. This was bizarre for a rabbi/teacher to waste their time educating women, so here is another example of how countercultural Jesus was in His day. On the surface, the view of Jesus is one who associates with tax collectors, sinners and values women in common with the men. This is unheard of! (We see this most often in Luke’s gospel where he gives a special prominence to women.) It would appear that Jesus just was not going to be accepted by the status quo.
The women are further described as those who had been healed of evil spirits and sicknesses. This is a testament as to Jesus taking an interest in them by restoring their health. In turn we see them taking their restored lives and wholeheartedly giving them back to Him for His glory. Before He came, their lives were basically over; outside of their own control due to the domination of evil spirits and sicknesses. No longer are these women dominated or do they find themselves restored to health that they may selfishly consider and pursue some new enterprise for their own profit. These women found their solace by being with Him.
Jesus was not alone in His evangelistic efforts; the twelve were with Him. This would include the disciples listed in Mark 3:16-17 and Luke 6:14-16. But included in his entourage were also some women. This was bizarre for a rabbi/teacher to waste their time educating women, so here is another example of how countercultural Jesus was in His day. On the surface, the view of Jesus is one who associates with tax collectors, sinners and values women in common with the men. This is unheard of! (We see this most often in Luke’s gospel where he gives a special prominence to women.) It would appear that Jesus just was not going to be accepted by the status quo.
The women are further described as those who had been healed of evil spirits and sicknesses. This is a testament as to Jesus taking an interest in them by restoring their health. In turn we see them taking their restored lives and wholeheartedly giving them back to Him for His glory. Before He came, their lives were basically over; outside of their own control due to the domination of evil spirits and sicknesses. No longer are these women dominated or do they find themselves restored to health that they may selfishly consider and pursue some new enterprise for their own profit. These women found their solace by being with Him.
Sunday, May 21, 2006
EVANGELISM IN MOTION
FIRST PUBLIC REJECTION BY JEWISH LEADERS
78. A tour with the twelve and other followers
Luke 8:1-3. And it came about soon afterwards, that He began going about from one city and village to another, proclaiming and preaching the kingdom of God; and the twelve were with Him, 2. and also some women who had been healed of evil spirits and sicknesses: Mary who was called Magdalene, from whom seven demons had gone out, 3. and Joanna the wife of Chuza, Herod's steward, and Susanna, and many others who were contributing to their support out of their private means.
Vv 1a-b. And it came about soon afterwards, that He began going about from one city and village to another, proclaiming and preaching the kingdom of God;
We follow Luke’s chronology and find the words: “And it came about soon afterwards,” referring back to the dinner where the sinneress cleansed Jesus feet at Simon the Pharisee’s house. Not long after this event Jesus began a traveling ministry; He began going about from one city and village to another. The purpose in touring these outlying communities was for proclaiming and preaching the kingdom of God.
I believe that this translation, the NASB, obscures the meaning in the words proclaiming and preaching where the AV reads: preaching and shewing the glad tidings of the kingdom of God. To understand these words we must understand to preach – kerusso means to proclaim. The kerux was the town crier who would bring the word to the common people from the ruling majesty. The common people knew that the proclamation was for mandatory hearing and obedience but before there could be compliance an understanding of the proclamation would have to transpire to the listener. The AV addresses this in the words: “shewing the glad tidings”, or showing the good news – euaggelizo – to evangelize. This would be the bringing of understanding to the contents of that preaching.
The proclamation was the good news pertinent to the kingdom of God. G. Campbell Morgan writes, “The kingdom of God means that God is King now, and always.” Jesus is going door to door, town to town proclaiming this message of God’s eternal kingdom and offering citizenship to those who are interested.
One only has access to the kingdom in which he surrenders his allegiance unto death. From a Biblical perspective very few men will escape death. Therefore death is a mystery to all men who live. Man has only one historic and reliable source that addresses life, death, heaven, and hell. This single source is the Holy Bible that plainly affirms the reality of these and the access portals to heaven and hell. This kingdom of God is described in Rev. 21:27 Nothing unclean and no one who practices abomination and lying, shall ever come into it [the kingdom], but only those whose names are written in the Lamb’s book of life.
78. A tour with the twelve and other followers
Luke 8:1-3. And it came about soon afterwards, that He began going about from one city and village to another, proclaiming and preaching the kingdom of God; and the twelve were with Him, 2. and also some women who had been healed of evil spirits and sicknesses: Mary who was called Magdalene, from whom seven demons had gone out, 3. and Joanna the wife of Chuza, Herod's steward, and Susanna, and many others who were contributing to their support out of their private means.
Vv 1a-b. And it came about soon afterwards, that He began going about from one city and village to another, proclaiming and preaching the kingdom of God;
We follow Luke’s chronology and find the words: “And it came about soon afterwards,” referring back to the dinner where the sinneress cleansed Jesus feet at Simon the Pharisee’s house. Not long after this event Jesus began a traveling ministry; He began going about from one city and village to another. The purpose in touring these outlying communities was for proclaiming and preaching the kingdom of God.
I believe that this translation, the NASB, obscures the meaning in the words proclaiming and preaching where the AV reads: preaching and shewing the glad tidings of the kingdom of God. To understand these words we must understand to preach – kerusso means to proclaim. The kerux was the town crier who would bring the word to the common people from the ruling majesty. The common people knew that the proclamation was for mandatory hearing and obedience but before there could be compliance an understanding of the proclamation would have to transpire to the listener. The AV addresses this in the words: “shewing the glad tidings”, or showing the good news – euaggelizo – to evangelize. This would be the bringing of understanding to the contents of that preaching.
The proclamation was the good news pertinent to the kingdom of God. G. Campbell Morgan writes, “The kingdom of God means that God is King now, and always.” Jesus is going door to door, town to town proclaiming this message of God’s eternal kingdom and offering citizenship to those who are interested.
One only has access to the kingdom in which he surrenders his allegiance unto death. From a Biblical perspective very few men will escape death. Therefore death is a mystery to all men who live. Man has only one historic and reliable source that addresses life, death, heaven, and hell. This single source is the Holy Bible that plainly affirms the reality of these and the access portals to heaven and hell. This kingdom of God is described in Rev. 21:27 Nothing unclean and no one who practices abomination and lying, shall ever come into it [the kingdom], but only those whose names are written in the Lamb’s book of life.
