Narrative Lectionary Key Verse for Today
“The twelve were with him, as well as some women who had been cured of evil spirits and infirmities: Mary, called Magdalene, from whom seven demons had gone out.”
NL Daily Devotion for Saturday, February 6, 2021
by Dr. Kimberly Leetch, Clergy Stuff
So there were women following Jesus. More than following, really. Today’s text suggests they were part of Jesus’ entourage, along with the twelve disciples and many others. Did you ever wonder where Jesus and his disciples got the money to eat or a place to stay while they were traveling? It was from Jesus’ supporters, which included—you guessed it—women.
It’s true, most of the people mentioned in the Bible that Jesus interacted with were men. It can be tempting to think that because women were a lower status than men, they were inconsequential to Jesus’ ministry. But some of the women were very important to Jesus. Mary Magdalene and Joanna, both mentioned in today’s text, were the first to find Jesus’ empty tomb. They were the first to proclaim the good news of Jesus’ resurrection to the world. Certainly people afforded that honor (and recorded for history) were crucial to Jesus and his mission.
Sweet Jesus, bless the women who shared in your mission, modeling ministry for the world. Amen.
