Joanna - A Changed Women

Joanna – 20th July 2008 am

Luke 8:1-3

Joanna means, “Jehovah hath shown favour,” or “The Lord is grace” or “gift of God.”

I. She was Healed By Christ

When we come to this passage of Scripture, it is normally Mary that we concentrate on, but we are told that there were “certain women” and that one of these was a women by the name of Joanna.

We do not know whether Joanna was demon-possessed or if she had suffered from a mental or physical disability, what we do know is that she was healed. She came to the Lord Jesus Christ, and left a changed woman, she was different.

Whenever anyone came into contact with the Lord they never left the same,

Some went away happy

Some went away angry – Rich young ruler, Pharisees

People will always go away different, you can talk to someone about different religions or beliefs and they will say – that’s their opinion etc.. you talk to someone about Christ they’ll get agitated, angry, upset – maybe it’s a conviction of sins….

It is evident that not only was Joanna restored to full health by Christ but she gave her life to Him.

II. She Witnessed to Others of Christ

Look who Joanna’s husband was, Chuza Herod’s steward. This word steward means a commissioner, that is, domestic manager, guardian: - steward, tutor,

Thayers defines it as, one whose care or honour anything has been instructed, a curator, a guardian, a steward or manager of a household, or of lands, an overseer. one who has the care and tutelage of children, either where the father is dead (a guardian of minors), or where the father is still alive

Joanna’s husband must have been a man of great intelligence to hold the position that he had as manager of Herod’s house. It is very possible that Joanna and her husband were among the servants mentioned in Matthew 14:1-2 At that time Herod the tetrarch heard of the fame of Jesus, [2] And said unto his servants, This is John the Baptist; he is risen from the dead; and therefore mighty works do shew forth themselves in him.

Can you imagine being in this environment? How many of us find it difficult to witness to our work colleagues? Put yourself in Joanna’s shoes, she was literally in the enemy’s territory.

Her husband’s job put her in a prime position to be able to witness to the servants of Herod’s household and even to the hierarchy of the palace. She was bound to be scared, Herod had John the Baptist beheaded because he exposed the sin he was in with his brother’s wife.

She may have been like Paul 1 Corinthians 2:3-4 And I was with you in weakness, and in fear, and in much trembling. [4] And my speech and my preaching was not with enticing words of man’s wisdom, but in demonstration of the Spirit and of power:

But as a child of the Heavenly King she felt that she must tell people and speak her joy abroad. Many times, through divine grace, Christians find themselves in the most unlikely of places where they can be a good witness for Christ.

Paul, a prisoner in Rome, persecuted by the Nero the worst ruler who ever lived, was able to write of the saints in Caesars household. Philippians 4:21-22 Salute every saint in Christ Jesus. The brethren which are with me greet you. [22] All the saints salute you, chiefly they that are of Caesar’s household.

Joanna was placed in such a position. Do you think that her witness paid off? Act 13:1 Now there were in the church that was at Antioch certain prophets and teachers; as Barnabas, and Simeon that was called Niger, and Lucius of Cyrene, and Manaen, which had been brought up with Herod the tetrarch, and Saul.

Which had been brought up with = a fellow nursling. History tells us that Manaen was a foster-brother to Herod; he was the son of Herod’s nurse. He grew up with Herod, was educated with Herod and it is very possible that he had a role in Herod’s household. Could he have come to faith in Christ through Joanna’s witness?

We witness because we feel like we’re not getting through? ….

III. She Ministered Unto Christ

The word “substance” here means material possessions, such as money and property, and Joanna honoured the Lord with these things. She suddenly had a desire to support the Lord’s work. She gave liberally to meet the needs of the disciples and exemplified the grace of giving.

I’m sure you’ve all heard the phrase “it’s better to give than to receive.” This phrase is so true when it comes to giving for the Lord’s work Philippians 4:16-17 For even in Thessalonica ye sent once and again unto my necessity. [17] Not because I desire a gift: but I desire fruit that may abound to your account