Tuesday 22 July 2008
- Bible Book:
- Luke
"The twelve were with him, as well as some women ... " (v.1-2)
Background
The ministry of Jesus was a journey. It was a physical journeythrough Galilee and then south to Jerusalem. It was also a journeyof growth and understanding for those who walked with him. Thegroup travelling with Jesus seems to have consisted of a core groupof people with others coming and going, sharing the journey whenthey could.
The group was made up of men and women. The men feature much morein the written record and we have details about some of them as aresult. But Luke tells us that women also took part in the journeyand were witnesses to Jesus' death and resurrection (
Today, many scholars believe that several stories in the Gospelreferring to Mary Magdalene are probably not true! It's unlikelyshe was the prostitute who anointed the feet of Jesus in theprevious chapter. Nor was she the sister of Lazarus (whom Jesusbrought back from the dead) and Martha. These links were often madein the past to make a good story better!
The important point, and the reason we name Mary Magdalene as asaint, is that she was a witness. She testified for Jesus, havingjourneyed along the way with him, and saw the end that became abeginning. Mary Magdalene saw teaching, healing, death andresurrection and testified to the truth she witnessed.
To Ponder
How encouraging is the witness of the saints inhelping your own journey of faith?
How important is it for you that both men andwomen were witnesses to Jesus?
Which of the women mentioned in the Bible speakmost clearly to you in your discipleship? Why?