Walking With Him - Female Disciples - The One Year Women in Christian History Devotional

What do you think of when you hear the word disciple? Most of us think of the Twelve, those in Jesus’ inner circle who followed him and traveled with him day and night. Yet they weren’t the only disciples. Some of Jesus’ disciples were women.

It’s not clear why none of the Twelve were women. Some scholars have sought theological reasons, but the simplest explanation might be mere propriety. With the close quarters Jesus shared with the Twelve, it might have been too scandalous for men and women to be mixed together.

Yet the Gospels indicate that certain women followed Jesus and even traveled with the Twelve at times. Mary Magdalene, Joanna, and Susanna are explicitly mentioned in Luke 8:1-3, along with “many others.” A number of these women also were supporting Jesus’ ministry financially.

Jesus and his disciples also benefited from the hospitality of certain women, most notably Mary and Martha of Bethany, whose home seems to have served as a base of operations when Jesus visited nearby Jerusalem. You’ll remember, though, that these two sisters had a tiff over the fact that Mary “sat at the Lord’s feet” while Martha prepared dinner (Luke 10:39). A person who sat at a rabbi’s feet was considered a disciple, so Mary was clearly taking on that role. And from her knowledge of Jesus’ message, it’s likely that Martha was a disciple too.

We shouldn’t forget the women who stood beneath the cross as Jesus died and who brought burial spices to the empty tomb. Some of these were relatives, but others, like Mary Magdalene, were followers. Although most of the Twelve scattered, these female disciples were able to brave the Roman threat and show up at these important moments.

Discipleship isn’t limited to twelve men who lived two thousand years ago. Many women were disciples too—and still are. A disciple is someone who learns the teachings of a leader and follows them. A disciple of Jesus, male or female, is committed to his truth and his ways. You may not be trudging with him from town to town, but he is certainly walking with you.

Students are not greater than their teacher. But the student who is fully trained will become like the teacher.

Luke 6:40