I often think of the Lord as the ultimate recycler. He wastes nothing—not our heartache, our choices or our years of wandering. He transforms broken people, relationships and situations into something new. And He takes what was meant for evil and uses it for good. 

Joanna’s story is proof.

It begins with her being under enemy influence while living large on enemy support. Then she met Jesus.

Possessed, Then Pardoned

Before meeting Jesus, Joanna was at the mercy of the enemy of her soul. Even her wealth could not deliver her. But Jesus could.

Soon afterward He went on through cities and villages, proclaiming and bringing the good news of the kingdom of God. And the twelve were with Him, and also some women who had been healed of evil spirits and infirmities: Mary, called Magdalene, from whom seven demons had gone out; and Joanna, the wife of Chuza, Herod’s household manager; and Susanna; and many others, who provided for them out of their means.—Luke 8:1-3 (ESV)

The darkness fled from Joanna’s soul at the command of the light of the world. But that was just the beginning of the wonders to unfold in her life.

New Identity, New Priorities 

No doubt fueled by wonder and gratitude, Joanna changed course. She stepped away from her posh lifestyle and began to travel with, learn from, serve, and fund Jesus. This flew in the face of cultural mores. And so did Jesus’ close connections with her and other women who served Him.

Joanna broke protocol for women in her station of life. As for Jesus, He broke the glass ceiling. He demonstrated time and again that discipleship was no longer available to men only; Jesus welcomed men and women alike to sit at His feet and learn from Him.

Not only did Jesus welcome women, but He also welcomed their support—even if that support came via the hand of a tetrarch who hated Jesus and all He stood for. 

Faithful to the End

Joanna remained faithful to the end of Jesus’ ministry, even as His disciples fled in fear. She was among the women who took burial spices to Jesus’ tomb to prepare Him for burial, only to find the stone rolled away. 

And as they were frightened and bowed their faces to the ground, the men said to them, “Why do you seek the living among the dead? He is not here, but has risen. Remember how He told you, while He was still in Galilee, that the Son of Man must be delivered into the hands of sinful men and be crucified and on the third day rise.” And they remembered His words, and returning from the tomb, they told all these things to the eleven and to all the rest. Now it was Mary Magdalene and Joanna and Mary the mother of James and the other women with them who told these things to the apostles . . . —Luke 24:5-10 (ESV)

It’s not only remarkable that Joanna and Jesus’ other female followers remained faithful but also that the Bible credits the women for their faithfulness. 

Because such an account is so countercultural, it testifies of the authenticity of the scriptures. No ordinary book of its day would include such extraordinary details.

In fact, scholars believe Joanna herself was a source of these details as Luke, in methodical fashion, researched His gospel account. If true, Luke demonstrated the respect he had seen Jesus Himself give women.

What We Can Learn from Her

Joanna teaches us to do what is right, even if it flies in the face of societal expectations. She shows us what it means to live humbly, generously and sacrificially—a life committed to faithfulness before the Lord.

Her choice to exchange ease for a life of abandonment was not easy. But Jesus saw and rewarded her commitment. As a result, she was among the first messengers to declare Jesus’ resurrection.

Humble yourselves, therefore, under God’s mighty hand, that He may lift you up in due time.—1 Peter 5:6 (NIV)

Jesus sees your faithfulness. He will lift you up in due time. Trust Him. He’s a Man of His word.

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This is Part 11 in a series about biblical women—some named, some not, some honorable, some less so. But all have earned a place in scripture, and all have important lessons to teach us.