The ministry of Jesus was filled with supernatural power to heal the sick and raise the dead. Jesus healed different infirmities and restored men and women to wholeness. Among the people who followed Jesus as permanent disciples traveling with Him from one place to the other were "some women who had been cured of evil spirits and diseases" (Luke 8:2). These women supported the Lord and His team out of their own means (Luke 8:3). Among these women are Mary (called Magdalene) from whom seven demons had come out; Joanna the wife of Chuza, the manager of Herod’s household; Susanna; and many others (Luke 8:2-3). This post will focus on Joanna, the wife of Chuza. It is important to understand that These three women were not the only women who followed and supported the ministry of Jesus. Luke mentioned these three and added, "and many others". Further, Luke's writings (Luke and Acts) were directed to the most excellent Theophilus. It is very obvious that Theophilus was no ordinary person, maybe a highly regarded Roman officer (bears the title, most excellent). Thus, the inclusion of people such as Joanna was necessary for Theophilus to understand the cosmopolitan and inclusive nature of Jesus' ministry. If Jesus had a follower whose husband was the manager of Herod’s household (possibly Herod Antipas in Galilee), for a gentile believer, Jesus is worth knowing and listening to!
and also some women who had been cured of evil spirits and diseases: Mary (called Magdalene) from whom seven demons had come out; Joanna the wife of Chuza, the manager of Herod’s household; Susanna; and many others. These women were helping to support them out of their own means. (Luke 8:2-3)
Now let's focus on Joanna. Just like many of the female disciples of Jesus, Joanna did not come to Jesus as a woman without an issue. In fact, she is one of the women cured of evil spirits and diseases (Luke 8:2). Joanna was oppressed but she was the wife of the manager of Herod’s household. The affluence, wealth, authority and power her household was known for (for being in Herod’s inner circle) did not help her get healed from her infirmities. Joanna would have been seen in public as a woman of substance but beyond the public display was an inner longing for deliverance. She might have been sleepless day and night trying to fix herself from her suffering. But, on her own, she could do nothing. Her husband might have taken her to different physicians to no avail. Likely, her issue might have worsened after seeking help. Joanna was hopeless until she met Jesus. Then after her encounter with Jesus, the narrative changed:
"some women who had been cured of evil spirits and diseases: Mary (called Magdalene) from whom seven demons had come out; Joanna the wife of Chuza, the manager of Herod’s household; Susanna; and many others. These women were helping to support them out of their own means." (Luke 8:2-3)
Joanna's pain was her past, she was one of the women who were cured. Jesus wasn't just the Saviour (saving a sinner from the kingdom of darkness to the kingdom of light) of Joanna but her healer and sanctified. Joanna would have been so glad to be free from her infirmities that she decided to follow Jesus willingly and to support Him financially. Since she followed Jesus publicly, Chuza might have been aware of his wife's conversion. Joanna might have shared the many wonderful things she encountered with Jesus with her family. Her influence as a person of the Upper class might have attracted other members of the Jewish upper class and even gentiles to know more about Jesus.
Joanna was one of the women who saw Jesus crucified. She was one of the women who went to the tomb to anoint Jesus. She was one of those women who heard about the resurrection of Jesus even before the Apostles:
"While they were wondering about this, suddenly two men in clothes that gleamed like lightning stood beside them. In their fright the women bowed down with their faces to the ground, but the men said to them, “Why do you look for the living among the dead? He is not here; he has risen! Remember how he told you, while he was still with you in Galilee." (Luke 24:4-6)
She was one those who reported the news of the resurrection to the apostles:
"It was Mary Magdalene, Joanna, Mary the mother of James, and the others with them who told this to the apostles." (Luke 24:10)
For the rest of her life, Joanna might have played an important part in the church. She encountered Jesus in real life and encountered the resurrected Jesus. Joanna presented all her pain at the feet of Jesus and she wasn't the same again.
Maybe, like Joanna, you are so influential and yet, you still deal with issues that give you sleeplessness. It is one thing believing in Jesus as your Saviour, but we need to understand that the power in the blood of Jesus is mighty to pull down any stronghold. Joanna wasn't a secret follower, she publicly showed her faith and trust in Jesus. I pray that as we follow the Lord Jesus, may He save our body and soul from all forms of satanic oppressions.
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