Devotional For Women

Joanna, the wife of Chuza, Herod's business manager; Susanna; and many others who were contributing their own resources to support Jesus and his disciples.

Luke 8:3, NLT

Fortunately, faith is no respecter of status or position. We, on the other hand, give fame and popularity entirely too much attention. Do the angels rejoice more when a celebrity repents than when an average person welcomes their Savior in spite of their average-ness? How could we imagine the angels celebrating in any way other than in a larger-than-life exultation? The Bible treats celebrities with wonderful indifference. It practices what it preaches: The humble are raised, while the proud are humbled. Those who expect their political or social status to carry weight in the kingdom of God find themselves treated lightly. Those who seek to be servants find themselves honored. In Luke 14:7-14, Jesus set his story-telling approach aside for a moment and gave a scathing lesson in kingdom manners. Those who assume the honored seat may find the chair removed when it's too late to keep from being humiliated. His lesson receives repeated biblical illustrations. Among the early followers of Jesus, Joanna could have ranked as a celebrity: she had access to Herod's house and might have been a person of some influence. Yet she chose a place of significance far from the palace. She and other women helped meet the needs of Jesus and his traveling band. Luke mentions her with restraint. But what an honor, after all, merely to be mentioned in the company of Jesus! And yet there is more. Joanna is referred to by name only twice in the New Testament. Luke mentions her here in her supporting role with other women. But later (Luke 24:10), she is among those who heard and saw firsthand that Jesus was risen from the dead! Her persistent servanthood was rewarded with honor. How could the basic intention of your life today best be summarized: a pursuit of service to God or self-service? Are you keeping company with those who will recognize you with celebrity status, or are you keeping company with those with whom you can serve Jesus Christ?