Friday 19 September 2008
- Bible Book:
- Luke
"Soon afterwards he went on through cities and villages, proclaiming and bringing the good news of the kingdom of God. The twelve were with him, as well as some women who had been cured of evil spirits and infirmities: Mary, called Magdalene, from whom seven demons had gone out, and Joanna, the wife of Herod's steward Chuza, and Susanna, and many others, who provided for them out of their resources."
Background
Luke told a good story and his Gospel is witness to that. Peoplehave also seen in his writing some particular characteristicsincluding an interest in presenting the gospel (good news) to theGentiles (non-Jews) and acknowledging the role of women. Thispassage demonstrates the latter.
Jesus and his followers moved through the countryside, healing anddriving out demons. Here, Luke tells us that many women who hadbeen healed by Jesus came with them, and provided for Jesus and thedisciples out of their own pockets.
It is a human tendency to want to avoid being dependent on others.We strive to be able to provide for ourselves and feeluncomfortable if we can't. But Jesus, the Son of God made whollyman, was dependent on these women for his needs.
When we think of dependency we may think of how it can beproblematic in many ways - for instance if we becomepsychologically dependent on another for our own self-esteem.
But the dependency of Jesus is vulnerable, loving and withoutself-interest. The women have received love and now give love inreturn, in a self-reinforcing cycle of mutual love andgiving.
The message of Jesus is that we should live by the principle oflove - not the principle of survival that tells you that yoursafety lies in independence from others.
And in this way, to allow yourself to be dependent on the care ofothers can be a gift to the world.
To Ponder
How can we avoid 'unhealthy' dependencies? Anddevelop 'healthy' dependencies?
Why do you think the concept of independence isso valued in our modern western society?