Imported boundary: J. C. Ryle's Expository Thoughts on Luke from the GraceGems public-domain chapter transcription. Site navigation, audio links, displayed Scripture blocks, and non-source web apparatus are not mirrored; this section preserves the Ryle expository prose for Luke 8:1-3 (The Women Who Accompanied Jesus). The transcription remains needs-verification against print editions before reuse.

Primary passage: Luke 8:1-3.

Source heading: The Women Who Accompanied Jesus.

Let us awake to a sense of our individual responsibility. Souls are perishing -- and time is flying! Let us resolve, by God's grace -- to do something for God's glory before we die. Once more let us remember our Lord's example -- and, like Him, be diligent and "redeem the time."

Let us mark, secondly, in these verses -- the power of the grace of God, and the constraining influence of the love of Christ. We read that among those who followed our Lord in his journeyings, were "certain women who had been healed of evil spirits and infirmities."

We can well imagine that the difficulties these holy women had to face in becoming Christ's disciples, were neither few nor small. They had their full share of the contempt and scorn which was poured on all followers of Jesus by the Scribes and Pharisees. They had, besides -- many a trial from the harsh talk and hard usage which any Jewish woman who thought for herself about religion, would probably have to undergo.

But none of these things moved them. Grateful for mercies received at our Lord's hands -- they were willing to endure much for His sake. Strengthened inwardly, by the renewing power of the Holy Spirit -- they were enabled to cleave to Jesus and not give way. And nobly they did cleave to Him to the very end!

It was not a woman, who sold the Lord for thirty pieces of silver. They were not women who forsook the Lord in the garden, and fled. It was not a woman, who denied Him three times in the high priest's house.

But they were women who wailed and lamented when Jesus was led forth to be crucified. They were women who stood to the last by the cross. And they were women who were first to visit the grave "where the Lord lay." Great indeed is the power of the grace of God!

Let the recollection of these women encourage all the daughters of Adam who read of them -- to take up the cross and to follow Christ. Let no sense of weakness, or fear of falling away -- keep them back from a decided profession of religion.

The mother of a large family, with limited means -- may tell us that she has no time for religion. The wife of an ungodly husband -- may tell us that she dares not take up religion. The young daughter of worldly parents -- may tell us that it is impossible for her to have any religion. The maid-servant in the midst of unconverted companions -- may tell us that in her place, a person cannot follow religion.

But they are all wrong -- quite wrong! With Christ nothing is impossible. Let them think again, and change their minds. Let them begin boldly in the strength of Christ -- and trust Him for the consequences. The Lord Jesus never changes. He who enabled "many women" to serve Him faithfully while He was on earth -- can enable women to serve Him, glorify Him, and be His disciples at the present day.

Let us mark lastly, in these verses -- the peculiar privilege which our Lord grants to His faithful followers. We read that those who accompanied Him in His journeyings, "These women were ministering to them out of their own substance." Of course He did not need their help. "All the beasts of the forest were his, and the cattle upon a thousand hills." (Psalm 50:10.) That mighty Savior who could multiply a few loaves and fish into food for thousands -- could have called forth food from the earth for His own sustenance, if He had thought fit. But He did not do so, for two reasons.

One reason was, that He would show us that He was man like ourselves in all things, sin only excepted -- and that He lived a life of faith in His Father's providence.

The other reason was, that by allowing His followers to minister to Him -- He might prove their love, and test their regard for Himself. True love will count it a pleasure to give anything to the object loved. False love will often talk and profess much -- but do and give nothing at all.

This matter of "ministering to Christ" opens up a most important train of thought, and one which we shall do well to consider. The Lord Jesus Christ is continually providing His Church at the present day. No doubt it would be easy for Him to convert the Chinese or Hindus in a moment, and to call grace into being with a word -- just as He created light on the first day of this world's existence.

But He does not do so. He is pleased to work by means. He condescends to use the agency of missionaries, and the foolishness of man's preaching -- in order to spread His Gospel. And by so doing, He is continually proving the faith and zeal of the churches. He lets Christians be fellow workers with Him -- that He may manifest who has a will to "minister" -- and who has none.

He lets the spread of the Gospel be carried on by subscriptions, contributions, and religious Societies -- that He may manifest who are the covetous and unbelieving -- and who are the truly "rich towards God." In short, the visible Church of Christ may be divided into two great parties: those who "minister" unto Christ -- and those who do not.

May we all remember this great truth, and test our own selves! While we live, we are all upon our trial. Our lives are continually showing whose we are, and whom we serve -- whether we love Christ, or whether we love the world. Happy are those who know something of ministering to Christ out of their own substance! It is a thing which can still be done, though we do not see Him with our eyes. Those words which describe the proceedings of the Judgment day, are very solemn: "I was hungry -- and you gave me no food. I was thirsty -- and you gave me nothing to drink." (Matthew 25:42.)