Day 291, or October the 18th. We are all equally
different. Our thoughts today come from Luke
chapter 8, verses 2 and 3. And also some women
who had been cured of evil spirits and diseases.
Mary, called Magdalene, from whom seven demons
had come out. Joanna, the wife of Chuza, the
manager of Herod's household. Susanna, and many
others. These women were helping to support them
out of their own means. And now the big picture
surrounding these verses. Today we reach the
end of the main Galilean ministry of Jesus, as
most of his life after this will be in the south,
where he is finally crucified outside the walls
of the city of Jerusalem, as his ministry comes
to an end after more than three years. These
couple of chapters contain some of the most poignant
events in Jesus' life. They include many parables,
the stilling of the sea during a storm, pigs
sent diving into the Sea of Galilee, Jairus'
daughter raised from the dead, 5 ,000 men plus
women and children fed, and the transfiguration
with Moses and Elijah, all in just two chapters,
plus much more in between these key milestones.
Luke has researched well and lays these events
out for us in date order. And now today's action
step. It's significant that Jesus had a lot of
support from women during his earthly ministry,
as our verses for today show. They were great
supporters out of their own pockets. Without
material support like this from these women,
the ministry of Jesus could have been severely
hampered. The society of his day was so male
-dominated that this sort of input must have
more than raised a few eyebrows. However, in
the 21st century, it's not just men versus women.
It can be young versus old, or educated versus
self -taught, or black versus white. We need
to see situations through God's eyes rather than
ours, and recognize people's abilities rather
than their limitations. Don't struggle trying
to get God to use people you approve of. Just
trust His judgment.