RESURRECTION MORNING
9 Returning from the tomb, they reported all these things to the Eleven and to all the rest. 10 Mary Magdalene, Joanna, Mary the mother of James, and the other women with them were telling the apostles these things.
Luke 24:9-10
Joanna, The First Evangelist
Today is our third day looking at the life of Joanna as recorded in Luke 8:1-3 and Luke 24:9-10.Joanna's name is mentioned twice in the Library of Scripture, both times in Luke's gospel. There are five things that we know about Joanna from the testimony of Scripture:
- Joanna was healed of evil spirits or sickness by Jesus (Luke 8:2)
- Joanna helped fund Jesus' ministry (Luke 8:3)
- Joanna assisted in the burial of Jesus (Luke 23:55-56)
- Joanna witnessed Jesus' empty tomb (Luke 24:1-5)
- Joanna was one of the first ever to proclaim Jesus' resurrection from the dead. (Luke 24:9-10)
Today let's dig a little deeper into the reality that Joanna was one of the first ever to proclaim Jesus' resurrection from the dead (Luke 23:55-56).Following Joanna's witnessing of the empty tomb, she and the other women returned to the Eleven disciples (Judas is gone at this point) and the other apostles reporting to them all they had seen. Let's make sure we don't miss the texture and tone of this text. This group of women and men have committed their lives to this man named Jesus whom they believed was the savior of the world. But just 72 hours ago, he was murdered in the most brutal way possible. Not only that, his death equaled a death to their hope, death to the dream that God's promised one had come to redeem all things. The women, the Eleven, the remaining apostles would be grieving. They would be grieving the loss of Jesus and also the loss of their hope. With all of that in mind, imagine now the women hustling back to them with these words: JESUS IS ALIVE. JESUS IS ALIVE. JESUS IS ALIVE. This would have been the best news in the world. 1) their friend is no longer dead 2) their hope is no longer dead.Joanna's testimony about Jesus Christ's resurrection from the dead still echoes today. In fact, in some form or fashion, we repeat Joanna's testimony every Sunday. We proclaim an empty tomb and a risen savior who conquered death once and for all.Today, may we echo Joanna's testimony in our thoughts, words, and action. May every breath we take be saturated in the truth that JESUS IS ALIVE.
