Women's ministry

Luke 8 : 1 - 3

...some women who....provided for them....

I was so pleased that this short paragraph was chosen to be the gospel of the day last Friday (19th September). I have yet to hear this passage being chosen in the church tradition I come from, as a key text and preached on. I may be wrong, but many male speakers might not do justice to the content and intention of the gospel writer.

It is refreshing to hear women pointed out as devoted disciples. They came from different backgrounds - some from wealthy and prominent families; others had been afflicted with mental and physical infirmities.....yet they were all united by one purpose- to serve the Lord who had set them free, to serve the one who had brought transformation into their lives. Jesus had touched their lives so deeply that, with grateful hearts, they provided for his ministry needs. I find it important to note that women as a group are singled out for mention here. Luke tells us there were "many others" apart from those who were specifically named. We also recall that many women, in all probability including some of these, followed Jesus on the way to Calvary. This inclusion of women is atypical of the patriarchal society of that time, when women's status was largely second class. It reminds us the Lord himself did not make such distinctions.

The ministry of these women was largely in the background. Even so, they were generous in providing resources, glad to play their role in the kingdom. Indeed, it is delightful that Luke honors these women who had caught on (faster perhaps than some of the male disciples who fought over positions) to Jesus' teaching about sacrificial love and humble service.