Following through Rejection- One Woman of Many

Luke 7:36-50; 8:1-3

Luke 7:36–50 (ESV)

36 One of the Pharisees asked him to eat with him, and he went into the Pharisee’s house and reclined at table. 37 And behold, a woman of the city, who was a sinner, when she learned that he was reclining at table in the Pharisee’s house, brought an alabaster flask of ointment, 38 and standing behind him at his feet, weeping, she began to wet his feet with her tears and wiped them with the hair of her head and kissed his feet and anointed them with the ointment. 39 Now when the Pharisee who had invited him saw this, he said to himself, “If this man were a prophet, he would have known who and what sort of woman this is who is touching him, for she is a sinner.” 40 And Jesus answering said to him, “Simon, I have something to say to you.” And he answered, “Say it, Teacher.” 41 “A certain moneylender had two debtors. One owed five hundred denarii, and the other fifty. 42 When they could not pay, he cancelled the debt of both. Now which of them will love him more?” 43 Simon answered, “The one, I suppose, for whom he cancelled the larger debt.” And he said to him, “You have judged rightly.” 44 Then turning toward the woman he said to Simon, “Do you see this woman? I entered your house; you gave me no water for my feet, but she has wet my feet with her tears and wiped them with her hair. 45 You gave me no kiss, but from the time I came in she has not ceased to kiss my feet. 46 You did not anoint my head with oil, but she has anointed my feet with ointment. 47 Therefore I tell you, her sins, which are many, are forgiven—for she loved much. But he who is forgiven little, loves little.” 48 And he said to her, “Your sins are forgiven.” 49 Then those who were at table with him began to say among themselves, “Who is this, who even forgives sins?” 50 And he said to the woman, “Your faith has saved you; go in peace.”

The Many Women- Following though rejected.

8 Soon afterward he went on through cities and villages, proclaiming and bringing the good news of the kingdom of God. And the twelve were with him, 2 and also some women who had been healed of evil spirits and infirmities: Mary, called Magdalene, rfrom whom seven demons had gone out, 3 and Joanna, the wife of Chuza, Herod’s household manager, and Susanna, and many others, who provided for them out of their means.

Luke: An Introduction and Commentary (N. Women Who Helped Jesus (8:1–3))

Soon afterward Jesus went on a preaching tour. The verb went on (diodeuō) ‘conveys the idea of a continuing wandering ministry (imperfect!), rather than a journey from one point to another’ (Marshall).

There is no mention of synagogues and it may well be that increasing hostility on the part of the synagogue establishment led him to concentrate on preaching and teaching in the open air. He did not lack an audience, for there are repeated references to crowds (cf. 7:11, 24; 8:4, 19, 40, 45). On this occasion he was accompanied by the Twelve and by some women whom he had healed. The rabbis refused to teach women and generally assigned them a very inferior place. But Jesus freely admitted them into fellowship, as on this occasion, and accepted their service.

First to be mentioned is Mary, called Magdalene (a place-name, meaning ‘of Magdala’, i.e. ‘The Tower’). The Christian imagination has made free with Mary Magdalene, mostly seeing her as a beautiful woman whom Jesus had saved from an immoral life.

Luke says that seven demons had gone out from her, (Mary Magdalene) which shows that Jesus had rescued her from a very distressing existence. But there is no reason for connecting the demons with immoral conduct: they are more usually associated with mental or physical disorder.

Joanna is mentioned again in 24:10, but otherwise nothing is known of her. Her husband Chuza is mentioned here only. That he was Herod’s steward shows that he was a man of substance, though the precise nature of his office is not clear. The word translated steward may mean the manager of Herod’s estates, or it may point to a political office. Godet conjectures that this man may have been the officer whose son Jesus healed (John 4:46ff.). If so, it would explain why Joanna was numbered among Jesus’ followers and allowed to go with him on this tour.

Nothing more is known of Susanna. Luke does not go into further detail; there were many others, but he adds only that they provided for them out of their means. This is valuable as giving us one of the few glimpses we have of the way Jesus’ needs during his ministry were met. We read of the apostolic band as having a common purse from which purchases of food were made and gifts given to the poor (John 13:29), but not of how it was supplied. Here we learn that these women responded in love and gratitude for what Jesus had done for them (cf. Mark 15:40f.).

It seems to have been not uncommon for godly women to help religious teachers, and Jesus speaks of some Pharisees who were evidently quite rapacious (aggressively greedy or grasping) (20:47).

It is heart-warming to read of this group of women who supported Jesus. And it is worth reflecting that the Gospels record no woman as ever taking action against him: his enemies were all men.

The Testimony of Mary M. Luke 7:36-50

Notice the Surrenderings, (noted last week).

4 Elements in the process

Surrender Time- she spent time with Jesus, listening and opening herself to belief.

Surrender Expectations-self/others- statements of Simon the Ph.! General view of her by the public

Surrender Mind- Hearing the Words of Jesus… Focused of a new opportunity

Surrender the Future- GO IN PEACE! She is listed as on who “supported his ministry”.

who rejects you? have you surrendered to the newness of a future? Are you surrendered to the expression of “supporting his ministry”?