-THE LIFE OF CHRIST - THE GALILEAN MINISTRY

-A Second Tour of Galilee

-Luke 8:1-3

-Once again, Jesus traveled to the cities and villages of Galilee.  This time all of the apostles
  were with Him. 

-In this passage we are introduced to some of the women who followed Jesus and supported
 Him and the apostles from their own means.  Among them was Mary Magdalene.

     -“It has been commonly supposed that Mary Magdalene was a woman of abandoned
        character, but of this there is not the least evidence. All that we know of her is that
        she was formerly grievously afflicted by the presence of those evil spirits, that she
        was perfectly cured by Jesus, and that afterward she became one of his most faithful
        and humble followers” (Barnes).

-H. Leo Boles said that these women “ministered with the things which belonged to them; their

 gratitude and zeal were such that they were willing to do everything that they could to help Jesus

 and his company.  They were benevolent, full of good deeds, and gentle ministrations.  Through

 the gratitude for blessings received these women contributed freely to the necessities of Jesus”

 (pg 165).

-“We here get a glimpse of the tireless activities of the ministry of Christ.  Journeying from place

  to place, he was constantly preaching the gospel publicly to the people, and as ceaselessly

  instructing his disciples privately.  The twelve were now serving an apprenticeship in that work

  on which he would soon send them forth alone.  From this time forth we can hardly look upon

  Capernaum as the home of Jesus.  From now to the end of his ministry his life was a wandering

  journey, and he and his apostles were sustained by the offerings of friends” (McGarvey/Pendleton,

  pg 297).