Devoted to Jesus

by Katie Harding on March 11, 2024

Our church is reading through the book of Luke together this Lenten season. Each week we focus on a different passage of Scripture. This week, the passage included some of my favorite verses from Luke 8.

“Soon afterward, Jesus began going around from one city and village to another, proclaiming and preaching the kingdom of God. The twelve were with Him, and also some women who had been healed of evil spirits and sicknesses: Mary who was called Magdalene, from whom seven demons had gone out, and Joanna the wife of Chuza, Herod’s steward, and Susanna, and many others who were contributing to their support out of their private means” (Luke 8:1-3)

I love these verses because they illustrate the involvement of women in Jesus’ ministry. Despite the cultural norms of women being less-than in Jewish society, Jesus valued women and included them in the work He was doing. Whether they were involved in the day-to-day travel or provided financial support, they helped make ministry happen because they were sacrificially devoted to Jesus.

It was their devotion to Christ that I have been reflecting on this week. For years, when I have thought about my time of devotion or devotions (with an “s”), it has always referred to the time I set aside each morning for meditation, study, and prayer. It’s a daily activity. Yet, the devotion of these women wasn’t an activity scheduled in their day; it was an attitude of the heart that continued throughout the day.

Many of these women had personal encounters with Christ. He brought healing to their lives in some of the same ways He brings to ours. Although we experience faith individually, we live it out in community just like these women. It’s easy to be a Jesus follower in the sanctuary of our own solitude. But it’s in the midst of community where we put into practice what we profess — where our belief is shown in our behavior.

These women not only believed in Jesus, but they also believed Jesus. They believed not only what He said about God’s Kingdom, about His Father and who He was, but they also believed what He said about who they were. Believe in the Greek means to trust in, rely on, have faith in, and cleave to, and their actions not only showed their belief, but they also demonstrated it well.

These women believed they were healed, forgiven, and worthy of being loved by Jesus. He helped them see that their lives had value, and in gratitude, they offered Him their true devotion. They were devoted despite the hardships they faced and the hatred they later saw all the way to the cross and back. They were disciples – learners – who remained faithful in their devotion, even when others fled. And when the time was right, Jesus moved them from being learners into leaders by sending them out to share the news of His resurrection. These women, whose lives were changed by Jesus, went on to change the lives of others. That’s what devoted followers do – we become changed women who change lives. Are you in?