The Women Who Bankrolled Jesus

July 19, 2023

Luke 8:1-3 | Psalm 50:7-15

When you stop to think about it, one could ask a lot of pragmatic questions about Jesus’ life and ministry. Did he think much in terms of strategy? How did he go about his daily, weekly, and monthly life? (Church leaders of today spend thousands and thousands of dollars on strategic thinking and planning.)

Or you can consider even simpler things: did Jesus buy or make his own clothing? Did he own a home? (Some say yes, most say no.) Did he scout the disciples he chose or did he randomly choose them as he walked along?

Most of these questions are fruitless and if their answers are not in the gospels, they likely don’t matter at all.

But the question of money and resources is interesting. We can believe that Jesus could procure money with no effort at all. He once told a disciple to catch a fish and find a coin in its mouth. He - on multiple occasions - multiplied food enough and more for a whole crowd. And yet, we find other times when he is hungry, thirsty, and tired. The decision as to when to make a miracle of resources and when not to is found somewhere within his heart.

But he never multiplied money. In fact, he apparently relied on the resources of others. In today’s short passage, Luke tells us that a number of women gave toward his ministry to keep things going. (Again, it is likely quite important that a primary source for Luke was Jesus’ mother, Mary.)

There’s not too much of eternal salvific meaning to take from noting Jesus’ ministry being bankrolled by some women. But it is notable. Think about it.

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Luke 8:1-3

Soon afterward, Jesus traveled through the cities and villages, preaching and proclaiming the good news of God’s kingdom. The Twelve were with him, along with some women who had been healed of evil spirits and sicknesses. Among them were Mary Magdalene (from whom seven demons had been thrown out), Joanna (the wife of Herod’s servant Chuza), Susanna, and many others who provided for them out of their resources.

Psalm 50:7-15

“Listen, my people, I will now speak;
    Israel, I will now testify against you.
    I am God—your God!
I’m not punishing you for your sacrifices
    or for your entirely burned offerings,
    which are always before me.
I won’t accept bulls from your house
    or goats from your corrals
    because every forest animal already belongs to me,
    as do the cattle on a thousand hills.
I know every mountain bird;
    even the insects in the fields are mine.
Even if I were hungry, I wouldn’t tell you
    because the whole world and everything in it already belong to me.
Do I eat bulls’ meat?
    Do I drink goats’ blood?
Offer God a sacrifice of thanksgiving!
    Fulfill the promises you made to the Most High!
Cry out to me whenever you are in trouble;
    I will deliver you, then you will honor me.”

Prayer

God,

The trust Jesus demonstrates toward your faithfulness…I don’t think about it often, but it seems pretty important in this moment to me right now. You know that we humans life for the high points - festivals, conferences, celebrations, feasts, holidays. We love to build up for the great thing.

But we don’t live there. And the more I read and understand your scriptures and the life of Jesus, the more I see your call to a daily lived life.

So help me, God, to daily trust and live with the faith of Jesus. To see each person, face, and situation in front of me with patience and wisdom. To look for the enjoyment of a meal, a drive, a song, a embrace, or a high five with a kid.

Reserve me for those feasts, but Lord, help me live Christlike all the time.

By your spirit & in Christ,
Amen.