Joanna

Day 1

Joanna: "The Lord Gives Generously"

Joanna was a woman of high rank in Herod's court, she experienced healing at Jesus' hands. She responded by giving herself totally, supporting his ministry and following him wherever he went. The story of her healing may have been known to Herod himself.

Her Joy: To find the tomb empty except for the angels who proclaimed Jesus alive.

Luke 8:1-3; 24:10

1After this, Jesus traveled about from one town and village to another, proclaiming the good news of the kingdom of God. The Twelve were with him, 2and also some women who had been cured of evil spirits and diseases: Mary (called Magdalene) from whom seven demons had come out; 3Joanna the wife of Cuza, the manager of Herod's household; Susanna; and many others. These women were helping to support them out of their own means. 10It was Mary Magdalene, Joanna, Mary the mother of James, and the others with them who told this to the apostles.

Day 2
Healing

One of Jesus' early healings was of a man suffering from the skin disease known as leprosy (Mark 1:40-42). People dreaded leprosy not only because of its destruction of skin and extremities but because it was thought to be contagious. Anyone with the disease was an outcast, unclean, separated from friends, family, and all that was familiar, with little or no hope for a cure. With only two words, "Be clean!"

Jesus did what all the others had failed to do, and the man went away healed. Joanna is listed with several other women whom Jesus had "cured of evil spirits and diseases." Scripture doesn't say exactly what her particular ailment was, but obviously it was something significant, something from which she had been unable to find relief through conventional methods. She and the other healed women now followed Jesus and supported him and his disciples.

No disease or deformity was beyond Jesus' healing power. He removed paralysis (Mark 2:3-12). He stopped bleeding (Mark 5:25-29). Those who were mute and blind could speak and see (Matthew 9:21-33; 20:29-34; Mark 8:22-26). Fevers left bodies at his touch (Mark 1:30-31). He restored shriveled limbs (Mark 3:1-5; Luke 13:11-13). Those possessed by evil spirits of one sort or another found relief and deliverance at Jesus' hands (Matthew 12:22; Mark 1:23-26; 9:17-29)

The same Jesus still heals today. Sometimes through the remarkable ability and knowledge of modern medicine and doctors. Sometimes without any human intervention. Sometimes by bringing the sick one home to heaven. Always divine, if not miraculous. And always with his loving, all-pervasive touch.

Day 3

I hope you won't mind, but I am going to take a little detour from Joanna today. I want to share with you one of my favorite scriptures regarding healing.

Mark 2:1-11

Jesus Heals a Paralytic

1A few days later, when Jesus again entered Capernaum, the people heard that he had come home. 2So many gathered that there was no room left, not even outside the door, and he preached the word to them. 3Some men came, bringing to him a paralytic, carried by four of them. 4Since they could not get him to Jesus because of the crowd, they made an opening in the roof above Jesus and, after digging through it, lowered the mat the paralyzed man was lying on. 5When Jesus saw their faith, he said to the paralytic, "Son, your sins are forgiven." 6Now some teachers of the law were sitting there, thinking to themselves, 7"Why does this fellow talk like that? He's blaspheming! Who can forgive sins but God alone?" 8Immediately Jesus knew in his spirit that this was what they were thinking in their hearts, and he said to them, "Why are you thinking these things? 9Which is easier: to say to the paralytic, 'Your sins are forgiven,' or to say, 'Get up, take your mat and walk'? 10But that you may know that the Son of Man has authority on earth to forgive sins . . . ." He said to the paralytic, 11"I tell you, get up, take your mat and go home." 12He got up, took his mat and walked out in full view of them all. This amazed everyone and they praised God, saying, "We have never seen anything like this!"

This particular instance of Jesus healing an ailment fills my heart with so much joy. Not because he healed the mans paralysis buy because he healed his spirit. Jesus, first forgave the man of his sins. Focusing on the man's spiritual healing, the eternal.

I love the picture this paints for me. I know there have been many times in my life where I have be paralyzed, immobilized by the sins or pain in my life. At those times I know I can call on my friends to bring me to the feet of Jesus. I have many faithful friends that have carried me with their prayers to the only place that I could find healing. Do you have friends that call on God for you when you are in need? Are you one of the faithful that believes Jesus can heal all things when we bring it to Him in prayer? Are you willing to carry your friend to the feet of Jesus so that they may experience eternal healing?

I have seen people healed physically and I have loved ones who suffer with illness. I will never claim to know why some are healed and some are not. I do know that God's will is that we all have spiritual healing. His hope for us all is that we have the faith to come to Jesus and be saved. I know that we will be given spiritual healing when we ask for it.

Day 4

Dear Lord,
I don't know all of the women in this online devotional personally, but you do. I praise you that we are connected through this devotional as a body of Christ. I thank you that each of us has specific gifts that you knew were just right for us. I ask Lord, that we, as a body, continue to seek your Word and most importantly, you. This devotional about your amazing ability to heal is such an encouragement to those who are afflicted. Lord, I ask that you stir in our hearts the ability to believe in your healing, that ability to recognize your power in all things. Lord, I also ask that you help us to see that we are an extension of your body and that we are also filled with your power to heal others. Lord I ask, in your name, Jesus Christ, that you will heal all those that belong to this devotional, heal their bodies, minds and relationships, Lord, restore them to you, so that the focus can be upward and not inward. You are amazing, Amen.

Day 5

Joy comes in the morning. Joanna discovered this in a miraculous way on Jesus' resurrection day. She went to his tomb expecting to minister to his dead body and to grieve. Instead, her sorrow turned to tremendous joy. At the end of the day, at the end of this life, there will be a joyful morning for all who trust in him.

Weeping may remain for a night, but rejoicing comes in the morning. ~Psalm 30:5

Where morning dawns and evening fades you call forth songs of joy. ~Psalm 65:8

Satisfy us in the morning with your unfailing love, that we may sing for joy and be glad all our days. ~Psalm 90:14

You who dwell in the dust, wake up and shout for joy. ~Isaiah 26:19