Women, women, everywhere!

Below is a blog I wrote for another site, ordainedliving.com.  It posted last week there, but I thought I'd share it with you here.  Head on over to that blog to read blogs from other women pastors!

Ah, those women!

Luke, in his 8th chapter of the book that bears his name, writes:

8:1-3 After this, Jesus traveled about from one town and village to another, proclaiming the good news of the kingdom of God. The Twelve were with him, and also some women who had been cured of evil spirits and diseases: Mary (called Magdalene) from whom seven demons had come out; 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.

When I hear pastors preach the stories of the gospels, usually they are telling the story only of The Twelve.  The men.  But Luke (thank you, Dr. Luke!) tells us that women travelled with Jesus.  MANY women.  Women of influence.  Women of means.

“After this...” Luke begins chapter 8.  What happens “after this”?  Jesus calms the storm.  Jesus raises a little girl from the dead.  Jesus heals the woman with the issue of blood.  And on, and on...

Can you picture it?  Women were in that boat.  Women were there to comfort the grieving mother before her child was raised from the dead.  Women were there to rejoice with the woman healed of a “female problem.”  

The women... were everywhere.  Once you take Luke’s words to heart, you start picturing them, and the scenes take on a different look.

Picture the last supper.  The women were there.  (Of course the women were there.  Who would light the passover candles?  Who would prepare and serve the food?).  Yes, Jesus was reclining at the table with The Twelve.  But there must have been more than one table, for many scholars would agree that Mark (writer of the gospel) was there (Mark 14:51-52).  The room was filled with disciples, not just the twelve.  And those disciples included MANY women.  

What difference does this make?

Because as a woman, sometimes I end up believing the lie that some of these stories are not for me.  But when I SEE the women of Luke 8 throughout the stories of Jesus?  

I can picture myself there.  Seeing Jesus’ miracles.  Being taught by Him.  And I know...

I am invited to His Kingdom.  Into every part.  Into every story!