Thursday 22 July 2010

Bible Book:
Luke

"Soon afterwards he went on through cities and villages, proclaiming and bringing the good news of the kingdom of God." (v.1)

Luke 8:1-3 Thursday 22 July 2010

Background

In these few verses Luke describes Jesus' itinerant ministry andits impact on people. Central to this ministry is the concept ofthe kingdom of God. This had its origins in the Hebrew Bible, inseveral psalms (such as Psalm99:1) and some prophecies (for example,Daniel6:26-27). According to this view, God as king would set theworld to rights and rescue Israel from its enemies. The phrase'kingdom of God' and various alternatives (like 'No king but God!')became revolutionary slogans in the 1st century AD.

But Jesus understood the kingdom in a very different way. Heinvited people to enter it by believing in him. For Jesus, thekingdom wasn't being established in a single move but in severalstages, including his public career, his death and resurrection,and his coming again. His disciples were to proclaim the kingdom ofGod too (Luke 9:2).

Luke tells us that women were amongst those who responded to Jesus'message about the kingdom of God. Jesus was exceptional in hisattitude towards women, and Luke records this fact more than anyother New Testament writer. Here he tells us that several womenhave been healed by Jesus and that they now accompany him on hismission and support him with their own resources.

Luke mentions three women by name, the most well-known of which isMary Magdalene. Magdalene comes from Magdala - a town on the Lakeof Galilee (Matthew 15:39). Joanna is described as beingthe wife of Herod's steward Chuza. Herod Antipas was king ofGalilee and his steward would manage his estate. Both Mary andJoanna went to the tomb to anoint the body of Jesus (Luke24:10). Susanna is not mentioned elsewhere and nothing more isknown of her. All of these women have chosen to follow Jesus.

To Ponder

Jesus was a radical, not least in the way heunderstood the kingdom of God and in his attitude to women. Whichof his radical ideas do we need to rediscover today?

Mary Magdalene, Joanna and Susanna had beenhealed by Jesus. What would you say to someone whose prayers forhealing haven't been answered?

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