“Lord, I Offer My Life to You.”
“After this, Jesus traveled about from one city and village to another, proclaiming and preaching the good news of the kingdom of God. The Twelve were with him, and also some women who had been cured of evil spirits and diseases: Mary (called Magdalene) from whom seven demons had come out; Joanna the wife of Chuza, the manager of Herod’s household; Susanna; and many others. These women were helping to support them out of their own means” (Luke 8:1–3).
As I meditate on the words, I seek to receive the lessons given to me through this passage:
(1) As I meditate today on Luke 8:1–3, the passage I reflected on yesterday—Luke 7:36–50, under the title “Because she has been forgiven much, she loves the Lord much”—comes to mind.
(a) The reason seems to be that, just as the sinful woman who lived in that town—whom the Pharisee Simon regarded as a “sinner” (Lk. 7:39)—loved Jesus much (v. 47) and brought an alabaster jar of perfume, stood behind Him at His feet, wept, wet His feet with her tears, wiped them with her hair, kissed His feet, and poured perfume on them (vv. 37–38), so also in today’s passage (Lk. 8:1–3) appear Mary Magdalene, Joanna the wife of Chuza, Herod’s steward, Susanna, and many other women, who served Jesus and His twelve disciples—who were traveling through cities and villages proclaiming the kingdom of God and preaching the gospel (v. 1)—by supporting them out of their own possessions (v. 3).
(i) Among these women, “Mary called Magdalene, from whom seven demons had gone out” (v. 2), had previously suffered severe mental and physical anguish because she had been possessed by seven demons. But Jesus cast out the demons, and she was restored to wholeness. Having received such great grace from Jesus, it is only natural that Mary Magdalene would have devoted herself wholly to Him. It is therefore presumed that she played one of the most central roles among the women who followed Jesus (Ref.: Internet).
· She was present when Jesus was crucified and died on the cross (Mt. 27:55–56; Mk. 15:40; Jn. 19:25). She was also present at the burial of Jesus’ body (Mt. 27:61; Mk. 15:47; Lk. 23:55). Early on Sunday morning (the first day after the Sabbath), she went to the tomb to anoint Jesus’ body with spices (Mt. 28:1; Mk. 16:1; Lk. 24:10). She was the very first person to witness the resurrection of Jesus (Mk. 16:9; Jn. 20:1–18) (Internet).
- From the hymnal “Following Mary Who Offered Precious Perfume”, verse 1:
(Verse 1) “Following Mary Magdalene, who offered precious perfume to the Lord, I will offer a fragrant living sacrifice to the Lord—To my Lord, the Lord of love.”
- From the praise song “Mary’s Confession” (Mary’s Song):
(Verse 1) “My soul praises the Lord, My heart rejoices in the Lord. He has looked upon my lowliness And granted me blessing; I love only the Lord.”
(Verse 2) “My soul abides with the Lord, My heart looks to the Lord. The Most High Lord, by His power, Covers me; I love only the Lord.”
(Chorus) “By the grace of my Lord, here I stand; By grace alone I have come this far. In every step of my journey, the Lord is with me—I love only the Lord.”
(ii) Among these women, “Joanna the wife of Chuza, Herod’s steward” (Lk. 8:3) was the wife of Chuza, a court official in the household of King Herod Antipas. Her husband Chuza served as Herod Antipas’s steward, functioning as the chief administrator over Herod’s property and household. This was a position of great responsibility that required the king’s full trust, as he was in charge of managing Herod’s wealth. Accordingly, Chuza held a high-ranking position and possessed considerable wealth.
· Joanna, together with Mary Magdalene, Susanna, and other women, became a devoted follower of the Lord after receiving healing from Jesus. In gratitude for the grace she had received from God, she loved Jesus with all her heart. As Jesus traveled through cities and villages proclaiming the gospel, she, along with the other women, served the Lord and His disciples out of their own possessions.
- Later, Joanna also took part in the scene of suffering when Jesus was crucified (Mk. 15:41). After the crucifixion, even the disciples fled in fear, trembling and hiding. In such circumstances, at the dark and early dawn, Joanna—together with Mary Magdalene and Mary the mother of James—prepared spices and ran to the tomb. Joanna witnessed the resurrection of Jesus and became a joyful witness to it (Ref.: Internet).
(iii) Among these women, the name “Susanna” (Lk. 8:3) means “lily” and is sometimes interpreted as symbolizing purity and devotion (Ref.: Internet).
· No other specific details about her are recorded in Scripture, but she is introduced as a devoted woman who followed Jesus and assisted in the work of the gospel. Along with Mary Magdalene and Joanna, the wife of Herod’s steward Chuza, she was an important figure who provided financial support for Jesus and His disciples (Ref.: Internet).
(2) When I consider only the three women mentioned in today’s passage, Luke 8:1–3—Mary Magdalene, Joanna the wife of Herod’s steward Chuza, and Susanna—who served Jesus and His twelve disciples as they traveled through various cities and villages proclaiming the kingdom of God and preaching the gospel “out of their own means” (v. 3), I became interested in learning about early Korean Christian women evangelists who played roles similar to these women. In particular, I learned about Davida Won, a famous early evangelist in the Korean church; Maria Shin, who worked in border regions; and Singyeong Kim, who was sent as an evangelist to Jeju Island. Among these three women, I was able to find materials only on Won Davida and Shin Maria (Ref.: Internet).
(a) First, Davida Won, a well-known early evangelist in the Korean church, was an important figure who distributed Bibles and hymnals, taught Hangul (the Korean alphabet), and spread the gospel. In particular, in 1918 she carried out remarkable activities, such as preaching before approximately 3,000 believers and selling 1,750 copies of individual Gospel booklets (Ref.: Internet).
(i) “The role and activities of Evangelist Won Davida”
Pioneer of missionary work: She was sent to various regions according to the instructions of missionaries and spread the gospel through selling Bibles and hymnals and teaching Hangul.
Leading figure in women’s missions: She visited Korean women—who at the time had limited freedom to go outside—and shared Christianity with them, contributing greatly to the formation and growth of the Korean church.
Formation of faith communities: She played a central role in early church planting by organizing Bible study groups, leading prayer meetings, and establishing churches.
Expansion of ministry: Initially, her work was limited to assisting female missionaries, but over time her ministry expanded to roles such as Bible teacher, service in schools and hospitals, and even professional pastoral work.
Outstanding preaching ability: In 1918, she was an influential evangelist who preached before thousands of believers and sold a large number of Gospel booklets.
(ii) The meaning of the name “Tabitha (Davida)”
The name is derived from the biblical figure “Tabitha” (the female disciple in Joppa mentioned in the Book of Acts). It means “gazelle” or “beautiful antelope,” and it is also understood to symbolize her good deeds and acts of charity.
(iii) Evangelist Davida Won was an important figure in early twentieth-century Korean Christian women’s missions. She was one of the key female leaders who devoted herself to preaching the gospel to women and establishing churches in the early period of Korean Protestantism (Ref.: Internet).
(b) Maria Shin (1873–1921), who was active in border regions, was an early Korean Protestant woman who illustrates the process by which an ordinary woman of Joseon during the period of modern transition chose Western Christianity and used it as a strategy for coping with crisis, survival, and growth, thereby transitioning into a “New Woman.”
(i) Maria Shin was first introduced to Western Christianity in Jeong-dong when her father became an employee of a missionary. Maria Shin herself also appears to have been employed in a missionary household, helping with domestic work, during which time she embraced Christianity. She later worked as a female evangelist affiliated with the Presbyterian Church (North) Mission to Korea and interacted with women missionaries. In her early twenties, Maria Shin had opportunities both to study and to teach at a girls’ school, but during that period she lost her child, her husband, and her younger sibling to illness or accidents. She overcame the pain of these losses by participating in the educational opportunities for women provided by Christianity.
· By studying at Bible conferences and at the Pyongyang Women’s Bible School, and by cooperating with women who were in circumstances similar to her own, she discovered new possibilities for women’s lives. To Maria Shin, Christianity was a religion that enabled one to discern good and evil and helped people to practice what is good. Through the idea that God grants mothers authority to take responsibility for their children’s growth, Maria Shin defended women’s rights on the basis of maternal authority. In her later years, she devoted herself to guiding and enlightening women in the church through lectures.
- Grounding herself firmly in Christian faith, she practiced traditional feminine virtues. The influence of Maria Shin—as a Christian woman leader and educator—was manifested through her disciples, who, as educated “New Women,” strove to remain faithful to their responsibilities toward both family and society (Ref.: Internet).
(3) Finally, as I reflect only on the three women mentioned in today’s passage, Luke 8:1–3—Mary Magdalene, Joanna the wife of Chuza, Herod’s steward, and Susanna—who served Jesus and His twelve disciples as they traveled through various cities and villages proclaiming the kingdom of God and preaching the gospel “out of their own means” (v. 3), I am reminded of a portion of something I wrote on June 25, 2025, while meditating on Mark 14:50–52 under the title, “I come to think that my beloved wife, too, could lose her life.” I would like to share that portion here:
(a) “As one who has become a pastor by the Lord’s calling, just as ‘a boy’ (Jn. 6:9) in John 6:1–15 (the passage of the feeding of the five thousand, where Jesus performs the miracle of feeding about five thousand men with two fish and five barley loaves) offered to Jesus all that he had—five barley loaves and two fish—I also believe that I must offer everything I have to the Lord. And that ‘everything’ includes not only my own life, but also my wife and children, all of whom I must offer to the Lord. Therefore, from the time the Lord called me through the words of John 6:1–15 at a college ministry retreat in 1987 until now, I have struggled, even if only a little, to offer not only myself but also my wife and children to the Lord. In that process, the lyrics of the gospel song “I Offer My Life” often came to my mind:
(Verse 1) All that I am, all that I have I lay them down before you, oh Lord All my regrets, all my acclaims The joy and the pain, I'm making them yours
(Verse 2) Things in the past, things yet unseen Wishes and dreams that are yet to come true
All of my heart, all of my praise My heart and my hands are lifted to you
(Chorus)
Lord, I offer my life to you Everything I've been through Use it for your glory
Lord I offer my days to you Lifting my praise to you As a pleasing sacrifice
Lord I offer you my life.