Two groups who followed Jesus

The central mission of Jesus was to proclaim the coming of the kingdom of God. For that mission, Jesus traveled from one city and village to another. There were two groups who followed Jesus. One was the twelve disciples, and the other was the group of women. At that time, there were quite a few wealthy Jewish women who provided financial support to rabbis. Naturally, there were also corrupt rabbis who exploited such women and greedily pursued financial gain. However, in the case of Jesus, it was completely different. Jesus respected the dignity of women, who in those days were not socially recognized, and He performed works that set them free from every kind of bondage. Some had been healed of evil spirits and sicknesses, some had received the forgiveness of sins, and some had been taught the message of the kingdom of God. Among them were “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. They served Jesus from their own possessions in response to His love. Does the fact that the central figures who supported the ministry of Jesus were women speak to you in some way?

The Son of God who became poor

Let us meditate on the condition in which Jesus placed Himself. During His earthly life, Jesus experienced the depths of poverty. Being the One who possesses infinite riches, He could have asked the Heavenly Father and carried out a lavish ministry. However, Jesus chose to be supported by the contributions of women and was pleased to carry out His ministry in the midst of poverty. For Jesus, it might have been much easier to carry out His ministry by His own power, without any human help. Yet, He did not do so. He made it so that even the poorest person could take part in the work of God. “Who, as He already existed in the form of God, did not consider equality with God something to be grasped, but emptied Himself by taking the form of a bondservant and being born in the likeness of men” (Phil. 2:6-7). Have you ever thought of what difference could your offering possibly make? It is not a matter of what you can do compared to others. What is important is that you are taking part in the work of God in the way that you are able.