"SHARING HOPE THROUGH SCRIPTURE ABOUT THE FINANCIAL SUPPORT OF JESUS'S MINISTRY"
Luke 8:1 Now it came to pass, afterward, that He went through every city and village, preaching and bringing the glad tidings of the kingdom of God. And the twelve were with Him,
Luke 8:2 and certain women who had been healed of evil spirits and infirmities--Mary called Magdalene, out of whom had come seven demons,
Luke 8:3 and Joanna the wife of Chuza, Herod’s steward, and Susanna, and many others who provided for Him from their substance.
Some explanatory thoughts, application and prayer:
1. Jesus, His disciples, and a group of women were on a preaching tour. They were going through every city and village, preaching the glad tidings of the Kingdom of God. This would be like in our day, to see Billy Graham, or Greg Laurie going from city to city, holding crusades and preaching the Gospel of Christ, calling people to salvation.
2. Let's look a little closer at who was with Him, and where they went. There was Jesus of course. He was the preacher. And, they were very meticulous in that the went to "every city and village" None were left out. They went to big cities, and they went to small villages. And, in each place they went, they had one message. "the glad tidings of the kingdom of God" The good news, that men can be saved from their sins, forgiven of their sins, and know, and walk with God in this life, loving Him, loving others, and serving Him with all their might, and wind up in heaven.
3. An even closer look at those with Him, and what they were doing.
(1) There were 12 disciples. We have met them earlier in Luke, but, they were learning from and about Jesus, and they were going with Him wherever He went. And, they were with Him on this preaching tour.
(2) There were certain women who had been healed of evil spirits and infirmities. We don't know how many women there were, but we do know how grateful them must have been to have had Jesus heal them of these terrible and evil spirits and their infirmities or sickness's. Three of the women are named and we are given a little more specific info about them.
(3) Mary called Magdalene, which means "A tower" she was from a place called Madala. She formerly had had, 7 demons in her. But no longer, for Jesus had cast them out. He had set her free. My what she must have been like in the past, and now, what a different person she was as a result of the ministry of Jesus. ( Not unlike many of us, very dramatic changes because of Jesus )
(4) Joanna the wife of Chuza, Herod’s steward, and Susanna. Joanna must have been brave to be such an insider in Herod's world, and yet she was following Jesus. Courageous indeed. Joanna means, "Jehovah is a gracious giver" And, then there was Susanna. Nothing is said here about her, except that her name, means, "Lily" Perhaps she was as beautiful and gentle as a lily. More importantly though, she followed Jesus.
(5) And, many others. That's all that's said of these many others. We don't know how many, and we know nothing of them. But, Jesus knew and loved them, and they knew and loved Jesus. That's what's important.
(6) " who provided for Him from their substance." Along with following Him, they were the ones who were supporting Him financially, taking care of the needs He had materially. We would call them today, "tithers, and givers" They were providing from what they had, from their substance. So, out of their own funds, they were funding the ministry.
4. What a great amount of truth is packed into these 3 verses. What great examples there are for us. Following Jesus, being involved in the proclamation of the Gospel not just in our homes, but in places where God might have us go. Into cities, into villages as it were. And, to take from our substance and support the work of God in and through the church. All of this ought to be normal activity for the believer.
A prayer:
Thank You Father for the Glad tidings that You have brought into our lives. What would we be today without Jesus in our lives.
Thank You that we can follow You, learn from You, serve You, and contribute to the work of God through our giving. We thank You for those privileges. And, we pray that this year, we might individually be set free from any stinginess and covetousness regarding our own finances, and be thrilled to contribute and to invest in the eternal work of God.
We love You Lord.
In Jesus name,
Pastor Bob Grenier
Calvary Chapel Visalia
