And Joanna the wife of Chuza Herod’s steward, and Susanna, and many others, which ministered unto him of their substance.

Luke 8:3

Another woman who followed and ministered to Jesus throughout His earthly ministry was Joanna. She was with Jesus from Galilee to the tomb!

Joanna, the feminine form of the name John, was the wife of a man named Chuza who was a servant of Herod the Tetrarch of Galilee. His position was much like Joseph’s in Potiphar’s house. He was in a prominent position. Therefore, he and his wife would have been well-known in Galilee and possibly beyond. We do not know what Chuza thought about Jesus, but we do know that Joanna thought it more important to be with the King of glory than to dwell in the house of an earthly king!

It would do us all well to have this same devotion as Joanna. She cared not for the consequences of turning away from earthly kings to serve the living God! She, no doubt, would have lost her social position among the other “wives of state,” but she did not care. Jesus was all she wished or wanted!

I am reminded of a Watt’s hymn that very resolutely states this case:

I’m not ashamed to own my Lord,
or to defend his cause,
maintain the honor of his Word,
the glory of his cross.

Jesus, my God! I know his name,
his name is all my trust;
nor will he put my soul to shame,
nor let my hope be lost.

Firm as his throne his promise stands,
and he can well secure
what I’ve committed to his hands
’til the decisive hour.

Then will he own my worthless name
before his Father’s face,
and in the new Jerusalem
appoint my soul a place.

Isaac Watts