Originally posted on 8/12/25
Joanna is a woman who is mentioned only twice in the Bible, however, she had a strong impact on Christ’s ministry. In Luke 8:1-3 we read, “And it happened that afterward also he was going about from one town and village to another preaching and proclaiming the good news concerning the kingdom of God, and the twelve were with him, and some women who had been healed of evil spirits and diseases: 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, which ministered unto him of their substance.”
Joanna was the wife of Chuza, who worked for Herod Antipas. Antipas was the son of Herod the Great. Chuza was a man of means and political power. Joanna used that means and influence to further God’s kingdom. She was a devoted follower of Christ. She traveled with him and most likely contributed financially to his ministry. We do not know the potential conflict this caused with her household. Herod would not have been friendly to the cause of Christ.
Joanna was one of the women who Jesus healed from evil spirits. Her life was radically changed by her encounter with Christ. Jesus broke the barriers of tradition by allowing the women to travel with him. Jewish tradition would have frowned against this practice especially for married women. Jesus broke barriers so that we could all come into his presence without condemnation.
Joanna was one of the women at the tomb and found it empty. She was one of the women who went and told the disciples the good news that Christ was not in the tomb. Luke 24:10 “Now it was Mary Magdalene and Joanna and Mary the mother of James and the other women with them who told these things to the apostles,”
In “All the Women of the Bible”, Herbert Lockyer shares, “Joanna, then, was among the last at the cross, and among the first to witness the empty tomb and likewise among the first to proclaim that the Lord whom she had so dearly loved was risen indeed.” P. 79 Can you imagine what the women felt as they noticed the empty tomb? Are we as faithful to share the good news of Christ.
We can learn a lot from Joanna. You don’t have to be well known to further the kingdom of Christ. Christ needs us to be faithful. We all have resources we can use to benefit God’s kingdom. Keep in mind that not all resources are monetary. Everyone has the resource of time. Your church can always use volunteers. Every single person can pray for others. Do not let Satan make you believe that you are of no value because you do not have the financial resources to help.
Image from www.freebibleimages.org