Jesu Juva
John 13:35 “Your love for one another will prove to the world that you are my disciples.”
Have you ever paid attention to the number of people that Paul, the apostle of Christ Jesus, mentions by name? Some were converts from pagan cultures. Others were Jews who knew their Messiah had come. Many of them were led to faith by the Holy Spirit through Paul’s ministry.
Those people Paul mentions as believers lived committed, courageous lives. They understood the mission was one of unrelenting service and sacrifice for Jesus.
Our devotion today is a brief survey of three women. Each has their own testimony of faith in Jesus. Each are identified by their servant hearts during a time that was extremely perilous to live out loud for the Savior.
Do you have the courage and conviction to live like Phoebe, Chloe and Joanna?
Phoebe
I commend to you Phoebe our sister, who is a servant of the church in Cenchrea, that you may receive her in the Lord in a manner worthy of the saints, and assist her in whatever business she has need of you; for indeed she has been a helper of many and of myself also. Romans 16:1-2
Just from reading the text above, we see that Phoebe was first of all commended by Paul to the body of believers near Corinth. (Greece)
During this period of Christian history, believers had to take extreme precautions in trusting anyone claiming to be a fellow believer. One of the precautions was the delivery of letters of introduction. In his letter to the Romans, Paul expresses his Christian esteem for Phoebe because of her efforts on behalf of the early church. He wanted other believers to welcome her with the love of Christ, and in a way that displayed true Christian character.
Among Phoebe’s attributes the passage lists being a helper of many as well as a helper to Paul, worthy of being received as a servant of God, and she was a deaconess. Whether an official church deacon, or just a sister in Christ who helped other believers, is unimportant. The fact is, Phoebe lived her life to honor the Lord God, whom she loved.
Read our key verse again, at the top of the page. True love, like the Love of Jesus is Love in action. It is not self-seeking. This love is sacrificial. Christian love looks for ways to show itself in practical, daily deeds and caring attitudes. “How can I love you better?” instead of “Here’s how you can love me better.”
Maybe you are a Phoebe. What a wonderful gift if you are. Stay connected deeply with Jesus so that you can remain faithful in love and in service to our wonderful Savior.
Chloe
For it has been reported to me by Chloe’s people that there is quarreling among you, my brothers. 1 Corinthians 1:11
Upon first glance, it almost seems like Chloe and her “people” may have been gossips or troublemakers. But nothing is further from the truth.
For one thing, Paul would have boldly corrected Chloe. Instead, Paul used this opportunity to teach the new believers the concept of Godly unity.
Chloe was correct in reporting the growing problem. Her quick response may have prevented catastrophic disunity among the Corinthian believers.
It is vital to read scripture in context. Read the full story in Chapter 1. You will see the cause for brewing division in the Church (*).
As a deaconess, Chloe took initiative. She and the people working under her would have agreed that there was an internal threat to the Church. She would have instructed her fellow workers to bring the matter to Paul for resolution.
Paul’s short mention of Chloe’s concern is evidence of his trust in her care for all of the people there, and primarily for her godly desire to see the Church grow. Paul would have known that she had a godly reputation.
Chloe and her “people” are instrumental in being peacemakers. This godly quality was expressed in Jesus’ Sermon on the Mount in Matthew 5:9.
Maybe you have the gift of encouragement or being a peacemaker. If you are walking in a close relationship with God, then you will have the wisdom to be a “Chloe”.
God’s Word is the resource to follow when learning how to use your spiritual gift(s). Matthew 18 is great guide to follow when helping restore unity among believers.
Praying for one another is also a command from God’s Word (Ephesians 6:18). This is a great example of why that is important.
Joanna
Soon afterward Jesus went on through cities and villages, proclaiming and bringing the good news of the kingdom of God. And the twelve were with him, and also some women who had been healed of evil spirits and infirmities: Mary, called Magdalene, from whom seven demons had gone out, and Joanna, the wife of Chuza, Herod’s household manager, and Susanna, and many others, who provided for them out of their means. Luke 8:1-3
One of the things that I love about the life of Joanna is that she is proof that no one is out of reach of redemption.
Joanna was not a likely candidate to be a Christ follower. Joanna was married to a man named Chuza, the steward of Herod Antipas. This was the Herod that murdered John the Baptist.
We know that Joanna was wealthy and influential. She drew from her own wealth to help provide for the needs of the disciples and other followers of Jesus. Not only was she wealthy and influential, but she must have been kind and smart.
Without Christ in our lives that combination of attributes can conflict, making an odd personality. Most often we think of wealthy and influential people as controlling and/or self-possessed. She may have been like that before Jesus changed her life, but we see what an amazing transformation He causes in a believer’s heart.
Believers live with hands and heart open towards God. Everything they own is from Him and to be used as He wills.
Among all of these attributes, Joanna must have been courageous. She provided comfort and support to Herod’s great enemy, Jesus. The cost could have been her life, or at the very least, her wealth, her husband, her home.
We’ve talked about everything but Joanna’s need.
Besides the obvious, the need for redemption, Joanna was either in need of deliverance from demon possession, or she had a mental illness. She is one of several women that Jesus delivered in this way.
If Joanna had simply been grateful to be delivered from her torment, she would never have proceeded to follow Jesus. She would have been like the nine lepers that we studied several weeks ago. She would have accepted the deliverance and got on with her life. After all, she had a lot to lose, including her very life.
But Joanna followed Jesus to the end. She followed through his ministry and to the crucifixion. She followed in the preparation of His body for burial. She was there for His resurrection and when the great news was told to the disciples. Joanna was faithful. Luke 23:55-56 Luke 24:10
Are you a Joanna? Are you generous, faithful, courageous, and devoted? I hope so.
There is nothing like following Jesus.
Each of these women had a close walk with our Savior. Only Joanna was likely to have actually met Him on earth. But Jesus comes near to all who look for Him. Find Him in His Word. Talk to Him all day long. Tell Him everything. Serve your brothers and sisters in Christ. Look for opportunities to share your story of redemption to those on the outside. Support your local church in service and with your tithe. Joanna didn’t miss a single dime of her wealth. That was paltry, compared to the wealth of loving Jesus.
“Make the Book live to me, O Lord. Show me Thyself within Thy Word. Show me myself. And show me my Savior. And Make the Book live to me.” R. Hudson Pope Ca. 1944
Soli Deo Gloria!
(*) Any time you see Church with a capital “C” that represents the Christ-led body of believers, not the structure.
Resources
Getting the Seed out of the basket and into hungry hearts. Matthew 13 