Influential Women of the Bible: Joanna

Influential Women of the Bible: Joanna
The story of Joanna is found in Luke 8:1-3.
Joanna, whose name means “The Lord Gives Graciously,” was the wife of Chuza, Herod Antipas’ household manager. As a woman of wealth and high rank in Herod’s courts, she had seen men of influence abuse their power. Most notably when Herod arrested and beheaded John the Baptist for speaking out against his relationship with Herodias, the wife of his half brother Philip.
But Joanna had an encounter with Jesus that changed her life. Jesus healed her of some spiritual or physical malady. “And certain women who had been healed of evil spirits and infirmities – Mary called Magdalene, out of whom had come seven demons, and Joanna the wife of Chuza, Herod’s steward, and Susanna, and many others who provided for Him from their substance” (Luke 8:2-3).
Joanna’s gratefulness for the healing she experienced by the hands of Jesus caused her to serve Him by totally committing herself, supporting His ministry, and following Him wherever He went. Her pursuit of Christ allowed her to experience not only the forgiveness of Christ, but also the life of Christ. She learned of His humility, love and mercy, authority, integrity, wisdom, discernment, strength, joy, and special union with the Father. Through serving Jesus she learned how to walk in step with God.
The psalmist declares, “Lord, if you kept a record of our sins, who, O Lord, could ever survive? But you offer forgiveness, that we might learn to fear you.” (Psalm 130:3-4 NLT). What good news to know that God is ready to forgive sinners! His grace encourages us to reverence and honor Him, and hope in Him.
How do you express your thankfulness to God? Out of the ten lepers who were cleansed by Jesus in Luke 17, only one returned to glorify God and give thanks! And Jesus recognized his faith. Joanna gave to Christ of her substance. According to Hebrews 11:1, “faith is the substance…” True thankfulness is not mere lip service, but as Joanna demonstrated, it’s a life poured out in reverence and faithfulness to the glory of God!