5 Notes on Joanna (the Disciple of Jesus)

Intro

We first read of Joanna in Luke 8:1-3. We learn that she was healed by Jesus (of what we do not know), that she was the wife of Chuza who was the manager of Herod’s household (Herod was ruler over Galilee), and that she provided for the practical needs of the ministry of Jesus and his other disciples. 

Her name is of Hebrew origin (meaning “Yahweh is a gracious giver”) but in the Greek format, suggesting she was perhaps a daughter of Hellenistic Jews. 

A Woman of Prominence in Society

As the wife of Herod’s household manager (similar to a CFO), she would have been both wealthy and well connected. In first century Palestine, it would be no little scandal that she followed Jesus and his largely peasant group – all while unchaperoned! It appeared that she was humbled by Jesus’ grace toward her and no longer cared much of what others thought of her. 

Interestingly, tradition tells the tale that Herod, who had beheaded John the Baptist, buried his head in a dung heap. Joanna is said to have retrieved John’s head and to have buried it on the Mount of Olives. 

A Witness of the Crucifixion

Although she is not specifically named as being at the crucifixion of Jesus, it is likely she was among the company of women following Jesus to Calvary (Luke 23:27). Remember that she was a member of Herod’s court and that Herod had just finished mocking Jesus and sending him back to Pilate to die. The bravery Joanna showed in doing this is remarkable. 

A Witness of the Resurrection

In Luke 24:1-10, we see that the author mentions Joanna as one of the very first witnesses to Jesus’ resurrection. This was both an honour and a surprise. A women’s testimony in first century Palestine was not given much credence, yet the Lord chose these women to be his first post-resurrection encounter. As usual, Jesus was honouring and respecting women in a society that didn’t.

Joanna and Junia

In Romans 16:7, Paul mentions his “kinsmen and fellow prisoners” Andronicus and Junia. Evangelical Scholar, Richard Bauckham, believes that Joanna and Junia are one and the same person; Junia being the Latin form of Joanna. This makes sense since Paul goes on to say that “they were in Christ before me”.  It is worth noting that Joanna started out as prominent in Herod’s court yet gave it all up for Jesus. Now, in Paul’s epistle, we see she is prominent among the apostles.  

This reminds me of missionary, Jim Elliot’s, quote:

“He is no fool who gives what he cannot keep to gain what he cannot lose.” 

Joanna remains a vivid reminder of courage, generosity and devoted love for Christ. 

Endgame: The Avengers and the Gospel

My kids have recently become interested in Marvel movies – specifically the Infinity Saga. With Christmas break upon us, we have decided to watch Infinity War and Endgame. These movies, of course, are not perfect Christian entertainment – they have unnecessary swearing and some violence etc., but I also have found that they can offer some interesting insights into the Gospel (especially for kids).  

So please humour me as I try to identify a couple of these insights. 

I’ve always been struck with the way Dr. Strange uses the Time stone to look into the future and see millions of possible outcomes for the Infinity War against Thanos (whose name likely comes from the Greek mythological “Thanatos” who was the personification of death).  After looking into the future, Strange tells his fellow avengers that out of the multitude of potential results there is only one in which they win and Thanos is defeated.  Only one. 

While this analogy will obviously break down at points, it makes me think of how God sees all the future, sees all the possible outcomes, and knows which one is for the best for everyone involved.  Despite tremendous pain and suffering from Thanos’ snap (that eliminates half of all living creatures), Dr. Strange decided to give him the Time stone anyway because it was the only way to win in the endgame.  While God does not cause evil (free will does that), God has infinitely more wisdom than any Marvel character when he allows pain and suffering to happen in our lives. 

It is also true that both Natasha (Black Widow) and Tony (Ironman) sacrificed their lives to win this war with Thanos. You probably see where I’m going with this. In the war against Death and the Devil, Christ sacrificed his life to gain victory for all of us. 

“O death, where is your victory? O death, where is your sting?” The sting of death is sin, and the power of sin is the law. But thanks be to God, who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.”  1 Corinthians 15:55-57

Please know that I am not trying to Christianise the Avengers. I am trying though to use secular poets and storytellers to convey Gospel truth (similarly to what Paul did in Acts 17 at Mars Hill).  While Marvel movies have definitely gone down hill recently, the Infinity Saga survives as some great story telling.

God bless.