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| The Women Who Supported Jesus |
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8:1 Soon afterward he went on through cities and villages, preaching and bringing the good news of the kingdom of God. And the twelve were with him, 8:2 and also some women who had been healed of evil spirits and infirmities: Mary, called Mag'dalene, from whom seven demons had gone out, 8:3 and Joan'na,the wife of Chuza, Herod's steward, and Susanna, and many others, who provided for them out of their means.
Every ministry needs supporters! Jesus was no different. Every minister and their ministry needs others around them to get the job done. Jesus was no different. Jesus needed people to accomplish His mission.
Do you know what is so cool about Jesus is that he chose people who normally would have been passed over by society. The Bible tells us that man looks on the out side but God looks on the heart. Man looks at a person's wealth, or their power, or their influence, or their talent but Jesus looked at the potential of each person and capitalized on that!
I would like to focus on this passage of Scripture above, because there are many women that God has placed into a certain ministry to be a blessing to them yet, many men of God refuse to use them or only put them in positions that are acceptable to everyone. All the while squandering the true potential of these gifts to the ministry and thus inhibiting the growth and potential of the current ministry.
Notice, that Jesus used Women. Let us look at some things we can glean right from this text.
1. They traveled with Jesus and the 12.
That means every whereever Jesus and the boys went the gals went too! They were as important to the group as the 12 were. Ministry should not be a "boys club" the church is made up both male and female therefore the leadership should reflect the whole.
2. These women used to have "issues."
Mary Magdalene was delivered (set free) from 7 demons. There were others that were delivered (set free) from diseases. I am sure some of these women had "past histories" that were not so appealing to the religious righteous Pharisees. Yet, Jesus was able to look past their personal failures and not only did He forgive them and heal them, but He actually brought them into His inner circle and allowed them places of service. Jesus did not hold their pasts against them. As far as He was concerned their best days were in front of them.
3. Joanna seems to me to be a pretty savvy business woman.
Now this is strictly conjecture on my part, but hear me out. Joanna was married to a man who was the "steward" of Herod. Joanna's husband was the king/governor's business manager. Now, one thing I have learned in my brief life is that behind every successful man is a better woman. The man may be the "head" but the woman is the "neck" that turns the head. I seem to think that Joanna was pretty good with money and pretty good at knowing who was who and who had the best bargains and such because that is what her husband did. It is funny to me, but I love to watch the men at business meetings trying to discuss such things as decorating, the nursery, landscaping etc...Not to say they can't do it or those are women's areas of expertise, what I am saying is that it is good to get a woman's opinion on something because they see things differently and they understand some issues better than men do.
4. These woman supported the ministry with their own money.
These women were not just there for the position or there just to hang out with Jesus and be a moral support to Him. No, these women pitched in and gave of their own resources in order to back the ministry. These women bought into what Jesus was doing and put their money where their mouth was so to speak. They were not there to pray, or to prepare the meals or clean up after the boys. Although, I am sure they helped with that, this passage of Scripture shows that they were there working to help financially support the ministry and make sure there was enough money
for the ministry to operate.
I look at many of our churches and ministries and notice that by in large more women attend and support these ministries than men do. Yet, many of these ministries are not releasing these ladies to fulfill their great potential. I think as men we need to step back and ask the Holy Spirit to give us wisdom and to show us what each person no matter their sex, or past history, or whom they are married to what they can "bring to the table" to enhance the ministry that they are a part of. |
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| To add a comment to "The Women Who Supported Jesus" |
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| September 14, 2008 |
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| Amen guy!!!!!!!! |
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| September 14, 2008 |
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| hehehehe, this is good........I'm just grinning :) |
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| September 14, 2008 |
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| This is another blog I'm gonna have to read in the morning...too tired tonight! This so far is one I definitely want to soak in! |
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| September 14, 2008 |
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| I have to add...if you ask this woman...you're a smart man! |
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| September 14, 2008 |
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| Amen Brother Todd or should I say Phat Daddy! I heard the recording of the mychurch rap and it sounds great. I had to shorten it for the sake of time but I got in as much as I could. About women in the church I am with you all the way. I have been cultivating an Evangelist that I have watched become a true woman of God. she's been transformed from a woman that hated God to a woman that is after God's own heart. I'm not going to hinder her but when she is ready I'm going to let her loose like a pitbull on a short leash! We need to disciple and cultivate more women that can minister to all these hurting men and women out here! |
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| September 14, 2008 |
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Uh... I got issues.... serious issues dude.....HELLO
LOL!!!!
and all the people on MyChurch in unison gave a big MC AMEN!
What about Lydia? Did she have any issues or was she just the woman leading the ole hen gossip group outside of town? hmmmm
I mean then there was Mary at the Tomb.... and they thought this little chick was the one who rolled the stone away. She got so mad at the gaurd I can just see her grabbin his robe and sticking her finger in his big chest with her 5'2" frame "what did ya do with MY LORD".... then after she saw him she was wishing she had cell phone service because what better way to get out the WORD of our risen LORD ?
Tell a WOMAN... WE LOVE TO TALK ABOUT IT!!!! LOL |
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| September 14, 2008 |
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| Amen!!! |
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| September 14, 2008 |
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| Great blog Brother Todd...Women have always played a key role in Jesus' ministry and even today, are still doing the same.. Great Word! |
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| September 14, 2008 |
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Amen my friend.
Something that gets lost at times is the fact that the first people to knew about Jesus resurrection were women, among them Mary Magdalene and Mary, mother of James, and Salome.
16:1 And when the sabbath was past, Mary Magdalene, and Mary the `mother' of James, and Salome, bought spices, that they might come and anoint him. 16:2 And very early on the first day of the week, they come to the tomb when the sun was risen. 16:3And they were saying among themselves, Who shall roll us away the stone from the door of the tomb? 16:4 and looking up, they see that the stone is rolled back: for it was exceeding great. 16:5And entering into the tomb, they saw a young man sitting on the right side, arrayed in a white robe; and they were amazed. 16:6 And he saith unto them, Be not amazed: ye seek Jesus, the Nazarene, who hath been crucified: he is risen; he is not here: behold, the place where they laid him! 16:7But go, tell his disciples and Peter, He goeth before you into Galilee: there shall ye see him, as he said unto you. These women were commissioned to go before the disciples to tell of the good news. What a great ministry!!! |
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| September 14, 2008 |
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This is so true! Amen Todd. We all have a special place in ministry and serving the Lord. He didn't specify only men, he said to all Who will go for me?
Jan |
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| September 15, 2008 |
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| Amen, Brother Todd! And as far as issues, people who have had issues, or have been delivered of something (such as drugs)...those people can minister to others in a way that people who have led a "blemish free" life (so to speak) can not. GREAT blog! |
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| September 15, 2008 |
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Well my people thank you for such agreement! It is a blessing! It is even good to see another man agree with me. I you all know that Jay is a man's man. He is not a wimpy little boy who zips his pants up sideways. Becky, we all got issues baby everyone of us! That is what is so amazing about grace! Cheryl, I have not always been a smart man. Quite a dumb one, but wisdom has taught me the benefit of listening to the other gender. Cindy, you better stop that grinning right now! Wipe that smirk off your face young lady! (Wink).
Doyle: If I ever put an amen corner in my church I am going to fly you down to Alabama. Marjay: God is using women just like you in these last days! His Spirit is being poured out on all flesh. Caleb: The importance of those women's ministry can not be under estimated or under valued. When Jesus was being crucified who was there with Him? Definitely not the disciples (except for John). Jan: that is right the eyes of the Lord are going
to and fro throughout the earth. Looking for one who's heart is turned towards Him. I don't think it much matters the gender rather than the heart. For God looks on the heart! Carol: You are so right about that! God allows us to go through things so that we will be uniquely qualified to do His work. God bless and thank you, everyone for your comments! |
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