Day 25 — The Women Who Followed

“Soon afterward, Jesus traveled from one town and village to another, preaching and proclaiming the good news of the kingdom of God. The Twelve were with Him, as well as some women who had been healed of evil spirits and infirmities: Mary called Magdalene, from whom seven demons had gone out, Joanna the wife of Herod’s household manager Chuza, Susanna, and many others. These women were ministering to them out of their own means.”

— Luke 8:1–3 (BSB)

When you think about Jesus’ followers, you probably think of the twelve disciples: Peter, James, John and the others. But Luke tells us that Jesus had other followers too. Many of them were women.

Luke names three:

Mary Magdalene. Jesus had set her free from terrible evil spirits that had tormented her. We don’t know much about her life before she met Jesus, but it must have been very hard. After Jesus freed her, she followed Him with her whole heart.

Joanna. She was married to a man named Chuza, who managed the household of King Herod. That means she probably lived in or near the palace! She was an important woman, maybe even wealthy. And she chose to follow Jesus.

Susanna. We only know her name. But God knew her, and He made sure her name was written in the Bible forever.

And there were “many others.”

What did these women do? They traveled with Jesus from town to town. And “these women were ministering to them out of their own means.” In other words, they used their own money and belongings to support Jesus and His disciples, making sure they had food, supplies and what they needed.

In Jesus’ day, a lot of people didn’t think women were very important. But Jesus welcomed women as His followers. He taught them, healed them and valued them. And they loved Him back with their time, their money and their whole lives.

This last week, we’re going to meet some of the brave women who followed Jesus. You’ll see that they had real, deep faith, and that Jesus honored them for it.

You can be one of the women who follow Jesus too. Not someday, but right now.

Think about it: Why do you think these women wanted to follow Jesus and support Him? What did they give?

Try this: Think of one thing you have (time, money, a talent) that you could use to support God’s work. Use it this week.

Dear Jesus, thank You that You welcomed women as Your followers. Like Mary, Joanna and Susanna, I want to follow You with my whole heart and give You what I have. Thank You that You value me. In Your name, Amen.