Wednesday 22 July 2015
- Bible Book:
- Luke
“Soon afterwards he went through cities and villages, proclaiming and bringing the good news of the kingdom of God. The twelve were with him, as well as certain women who had been cured of evil spirits and infirmities: Mary, called the 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 own resources” (vv. 1-3)
Psalm: Psalm 63:1-8
Background
We note the women who went with Jesus and the disciples had beencured or made whole again. Luke's Gospel unusually names some ofthem; these women were not anonymous, but known for what hadhappened to them. In the previous chapter we can read about thewoman who anointed Jesus's feet, and Jesus berating Simon the hostfor choosing not to 'see' or acknowledge the woman, for making herinvisible (Luke 7:36-50).
In a society where women depended upon the male of the household- having no rights of their own - it is even more surprising thatLuke names some of these women whose previous 'possession', orailments or status might have diminished them further in the eyesof other men. These women seemed free to travel as they pleased,requiring no permission from others, and had independent resourcesto offer Jesus and the disciples as they went.
The casual opening of the chapter isdeceptive in its simplicityof stating 'what was the case for the people who went with Jesus'.But it makes me want to think long and hard about the least visiblein our faith communities, those subject to unwarranted prejudice orjust overlooked as if they were of no importance.
Luke has a habit of 'telling us three times' just to make sure -so in Luke 8:19-21 Jesus seems to turn his back onhis mother and brothers who have come to bring him home and speaksof his true family: "my mother and my brothers are those who hearthe word of God and do it".
For Luke then, Jesus welcomes the weak, the invisible, thevulnerable - those who have been transformed into his family as asign of the inclusive Sovereignty of God.
To Ponder
- Have you felt what it means to feel unnoticed, unimportant oreven invisible in the community of faith? How does it feel? And howmight you use that experience to support those who may be feelingthis way now?
- Can you identify members of the 'family' who are constantlyoverlooked or not seen? If so, how might you use that experience tosupport those who may be feeling this way now?
- Reflect on how, perhaps, that is a strong sign of theSovereignty of God is an inclusive community of faith.