Susanna and Many Others

Among those who followed Jesus, certain women "ministered unto him of their substance," and of these Luke names Mary Magdalene, Joanna, Susanna, and then adds "and many others." (Luke 8:2,3) Mary Magdalene figures very prominently, in the closing scenes of our Lord’s life. It is clear that she did not lose sight of him from the time that he was brought forth to be crucified until he was placed in the tomb. She remained by the cross till the body of Jesus was taken down, and watched where he was laid to rest. Then to close the events of that solemn day, Matthew relates, "There was Mary Magdalene, and the other Mary, sitting over against the sepulchre" (Matt.27:61), as though they were the last to leave the sacred resting‑place as darkness descended upon it.

Yet Mary Magdalene was among the foremost to be at the tomb on Sunday morning at daybreak, and she was the first to whom Jesus revealed himself. She was greatly distressed because she had found the tomb empty, but it was a mistaken grief. There would have been real cause for sorrow, not only for her but for us all, if the body had been still there and Jesus had not risen from the dead. Her alarm was needless and arose from a complete misunderstanding, but it did prove the reality and depth of her love. Her presence at the tomb showed that her heartfelt devotion was also practical, and it was for this reason that she became the first to set eyes on her risen Lord. It was not to a broken‑hearted mother, not to John the disciple that Jesus loved, nor to bitterly penitent Peter, that Jesus showed himself, but the devoted and distressed Mary Magdalene became the first of the witnesses to the resurrection chosen before by God.

Joanna was the wife of Chuza, Herod’s steward, the manager of Herod’s income and expenditure, therefore a man of wealth and importance. It is thought possible that Chuza was the nobleman, or member of the royal household at Capernaum, who came to Jesus and anxiously pleaded with him to go to his dying son. In response, without seeing his son, Jesus healed him from a distance, and we read as a result that the nobleman believed with all his house. If this was indeed Chuza, then Joanna’s ministration would have been the result of overflowing gratitude for the restoration of her son’s life and the reason for the earnestness of her faith, which endured to the end, for she was a companion of Mary Magdalene at the sepulchre.

Once only is Susanna named as a follower of Jesus, and we know nothing whatever about her otherwise. Still less do we know about the unnamed "many other women" who followed Jesus, and who are also referred to in Matt.27:55; Mark 15:40,41 and Luke 23:49,55; 24:10. Does this mean then that they are of no account? By no means. We find that Scripture records very little of the personal history of most of the apostles. With some there are but a few scattered notices of them in the Gospels, and then we hear no more of what they did or how they died. We read of the call of Matthew, the writer of the Gospel, but of his history nothing further is recorded in the inspired writings. Others are merely named in the lists of the apostles, but of their life and of their labours the New Testament gives us no information. This does not mean, however, that they were not used by God, nor that they are relegated to an inferior position. They are all included in that foundation of the apostles and prophets, upon which the Church is built, and their names are shown in the twelve foundations of the wall of the holy Jerusalem which descends out of heaven from God.

Most of us will remain among the "many other" unnamed ones, who follow the Lord wherever he goes. We know this however that great as the throng may be that will be gathered around the throne, we shall not be overlooked nor undervalued by the Lord. We may be sure that among all those who followed him from Galilee, Jesus did not disregard one single person. He would not allow any to commandeer him and shut others out, as so often happens in our imperfect relations with each other. However insignificant we may be among the many who constitute the faithful and chosen in that future kingdom, our Saviour will have direct fellowship with each and every one of us. He will be able to take in all who belong to him, in glorious loving unity, when we enter into the joy of our Lord. If we are part of him now, we shall surely be then, in that special place that he has gone to prepare for us, before he returns to receive us to himself.

Forest Gate Bible Monthly