J.C. Ryle's devotional thoughts on the Gospel of Luke. Section 43, The Women Who Accompanied Jesus. Luke chapter 8, verses 1 through 3.

And it came to pass afterward that he went throughout every city and village, preaching and showing the glad tidings of the kingdom of God. And the twelve were with him, and certain women which had been healed of evil spirits and infirmities. Mary, called Magdalene, out of whom went seven devils, and Joanna, the wife of Tusa, Herod's steward, and Susanna, and many others, which ministered unto him of their substance.

Let us mark in these verses our Lord Jesus Christ's unwearied diligence in doing good. We read that he went throughout every city and village preaching and proclaiming the good news of the kingdom of God. We know the reception that he met with in many places. We know that while some believed, many did not believe. But man's unbelief did not move our Lord, or hinder his working. He was always doing his Master's business. As short as his earthly ministry was in point of duration, it was long when we consider the work that it comprised.

Let the diligence of Christ be an example to all Christians. Let us follow in His steps, however far we may come short of His perfection. Like Him, let us labor to do good in our day and generation, and to leave the world a holier world than we found it. It is not in vain that the Scripture says expressly, He who abides in Him ought himself also to walk even as he walked. 1 John 2.6

Time is undoubtedly short, but much is to be done with time if it is well economized and properly arranged. Few have an idea how much can be done in twelve hours if men will stick to their business and avoid idleness and frivolity. Then let us, like our Lord, be diligent and redeem the time.

Time is undoubtedly short, but it is the only season in which Christians can do any active work of mercy. In the world to come, there'll be no ignorant to instruct, no mourners to comfort, no spiritual darkness to enlighten, no distress to relieve, no sorrow to minister to. Whatever work we do of this kind must be done on this side of the grave. 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 that 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 the 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 the 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 maidservant 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 verse 10 That mighty saviour 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 thought fit. But he did not do so, for two reasons.

One reason was that he would show us that he was a 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 for 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 chapter 25, verse 42. you