Joanna – who was the wife of Chuza
Joanna had the courage and the dedication to stand up for the truth about Christ. We can all learn how to be more courageous in our journey through life allowing Jesus to be at the helm. Standing up for the truth about Jesus especially in this time when Jesus is never mentioned except at the cost of truth.
Joanna was the wife of Chuza, who was the house steward of Herod Antipas, king of the Jews from 4 BC to 39 BC., the Tetrarch. Joanna was among the disciples that followed Jesus. She was devoted to Jesus and is mentioned along with Mary Magdalene and Susanna. Luke 8: 2 mentions these threes had been healed of evil spirits and infirmities.
It is not known if Joanna had been demon possessed or had some kind of a physical or mental disability. She was healed and was grateful to Jesus Christ for that healing. So grateful for getting her normal health back that she traveled with Him and the twelve disciples.
Joanna was among the women at the crucifixion of Jesus. Joanna also was one of the women who prepared the spices and ointments for the body of Jesus. She was also among the women who had gone to the sepulcher. Joanna was with the other women; Mary Magdalene, Mary the mother of James, who discovered the tomb was empty. Because Joanna was privileged to be close to Jesus in small groups and remembered what Jesus had taught them and understood the truth about the death and Resurrection of Jesus. The biblical account tells that Joanna was among the last of those who were at the cross of Jesus. Then among one of the first to witness the empty tomb and proclaim that Jesus Christ had risen.
There are some assumptions that one can make with the information that has been shared about Joanna. She was the wife of a house steward of Herod Antipas, who reigned in Galilee. He was a son of Herod the Great. This is the same Herod who beheads John the Baptist at the demand of Salome.
The word “steward” means one who has charge of the domestic affairs of a family or the household, even the land. A steward is an overseer of whatever they are instructed to do. Chuza, was probably a responsible official of Herod Antipas: whether in the household or in government as the chancellor is uncertain. (Wood, 1996).
This could mean that Joanna and her husband had social prominence and was seen as a wealthy couple in their time. This meant that Joanna could have spread the gospel of Jesus Christ within the palace of Herod and gain entrance when many others could not. She did not have to worry about finance.
Tradition suggests that Chuza lost his position in Herodís palace because of his Wifeís conversion to Christianity and her courageous testimony among Herod’s servants. (Lockyer, 1967). This does seem logical because while in the service of Herod, who had beheaded John the Baptist, would have shared his fear that the Jesus was John the Baptist coming back from the dead.
Joanna had been placed in a perfect position in the court of Herod. She had the opportunity to reveal the truth about Jesus Christ among the court who only hears lies from the mouth of fear from Herod. Not only does the character of Joanna teach us loyalty to Jesus Christ her character is that of bravery and conviction to spread the truth about the Master. She was a loyal witness to the crucifixion and Resurrection of Jesus Christ and was in a position to share the truth of Him.
We live in a time where the lies of Jesus are worse than in any other time in history. The character of Jesus is always slandered especially by those who are trying to spread that Jesus is a myth. The attack of His Resurrection still is questioned today. The truth about Jesus is not enough for the worldly who need the ìspinî on the life of Jesus. They want to think about Jesus being married to Mary Magdalene who had to become the leaders of the disciples to help feed the frenzy of the liars toward Christ.
Joanna had the courage and the dedicated to stand up for the truth about Christ. What will it take for you to stand up against the lies toward our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ? Has the LORD put you in a place where you can share the truth about Jesus?
References:
Lockyer , H. (1967). All the Women of the Bible Michigan, Zondervan Publishing House.
Wood, D.R.W. & Marshall, H. (1996). New Bible Dictionary, 3rd ed. Leicester, England; Downers Grove, Ill.: InterVarsity Press.
Cite Article Source
MLA Style Citation:
Holstein, Joanne “Joanna: who was the wife of Chuza: .” Becker Bible Studies Library Oct 2014.<https://guidedbiblestudies.com/?p=1472,>.
APA Style Citation:
Holstein, Joanne (2014, October) “Joanna: who was the wife of Chuza:.” Becker Bible Studies Library. Retrieved from https://guidedbiblestudies.com/?p=1472,.
Chicago Style Citation:
Holstein, Joanne (2014) “Joanna: who was the wife of Chuza:.” Becker Bible Studies Library (October), https://guidedbiblestudies.com/?p=1472, (accessed).
