The Unnamed Women 未提及姓名的妇女
Dexu Xia
These women were helping to support them out of their own means. Luke 8:3
Today's Scripture Luke 8:1-3
Today's Insights
Luke gives more attention to Jesus’ interactions with women than any other gospel writer. The women—both named and unnamed—mentioned in Luke 8:1-3 are one example, but others include His encounter with the widow of Nain (7:11-17), the “sinful” woman (vv. 36-50), Mary and Martha (10:38-42), a disabled woman (13:10-17), and the women who “mourned and wailed for him” prior to His crucifixion (23:27). Luke 2 also includes an extended account of Mary’s experience prior to Christ’s birth. In the ancient world, women were often undervalued or devalued, but Jesus elevated their status by showing great care for them. This can remind us today that when we feel undervalued and overlooked by others, we can be assured that we’re valued by God. He sees and knows all that we do in His name.
Today's Devotion
After wiping down tables with disinfectant, Shelia stooped to tie a garbage bag filled with used cups and plates. She heaved the bag over her shoulder and turned to survey the church’s multipurpose room. She’d volunteered to clean it for the next gathering and wanted to make sure it was ready. A thought fluttered through her mind: Would anyone notice? It’s easy to wonder if our everyday contributions to the kingdom are valued. Whether we clean, balance spreadsheets, lead a Bible study, or give money, so many of us remain unseen in our places of service and unnamed in public commendations.
In Luke 8:1-2, the historian catalogs the faithful service of women in the ministry of Jesus. He lists three by name from among the women freed of evil spirits and diseases: Mary of Magdalene; Joanna the wife of Chuza, who managed Herod’s household; and Susanna. Then Luke says, “Many others . . . were helping to support [Jesus and His disciples] out of their own means” (v. 3). Luke spotlights these unnamed women who invested themselves in supporting the gospel, and so underlines their value.
Just as God includes unnamed women in His account of valuable contributions to His kingdom, He sees our efforts. He knows our names (John 10:3), and He sees our investment in His work (Hebrews 6:10).
Reflect & Pray
When have you felt overlooked and undervalued? How does knowing that God included unnamed women in His catalog of contributions encourage you?
Dear God, thank You that You see me, know me, and value all I give You.
By Elisa Morgan
“又有希律的家宰苦撒的妻子约亚拿，并苏撒拿，和好些别的妇女，都是用自己的财物供给耶稣和门徒。”（路加福音 8:3） 今日经文：路加福音 8章1-3 节
今日见解：路加福音比其他任何福音书作者都更关注耶稣与妇女的互动。路加福音 8:1-3 中提到的妇女，包括有名有姓的和未提姓名的，只是其中一个例子，其他例子还包括耶稣与拿因寡妇（7:11-17）、“有罪的”妇人（36-50 节）、马利亚和马大（10:38-42）、残疾妇女（13:10-17）的相遇，以及耶稣被钉十字架前“为他哀哭哭泣”的妇女（23:27）。路加福音 2 章也详细记载了马利亚在耶稣出生前的经历。在古代，妇女常常被低估或贬低，但耶稣通过对她们的悉心关爱提升了她们的地位。这提醒我们，即使今天我们感到自己不被重视、被他人忽视，也要确信上帝珍视我们。祂看见并知道我们奉祂的名所做的一切。
今日灵修：谢莉娅用消毒剂擦拭完桌子后，弯腰扎紧一个装满用过的杯盘的垃圾袋。她把袋子扛在肩上，转身环顾教堂的多功能大厅。她自愿为下次聚会打扫房间，想确保一切准备就绪。此时，一个念头闪过她的脑海：会有人注意到她的服事吗？我们很容易怀疑自己每天为天国所做的贡献是否被重视。无论我们是打扫卫生、核对账目、带领查经班，还是奉献金钱，我们中的许多人默默无闻地服侍着，在公开表扬中也无人提及。
在路加福音8章1-2节中，历史学家记录了妇女们在耶稣事工中的忠心服侍。他列举了三位从邪灵和疾病中得释放的妇女的名字：抹大拉的马利亚；管理希律家务的苦撒的妻子约亚拿；以及苏撒拿。路加福音接着说：“还有好些妇人……用自己的财物供給耶稣和他的门徒”（3节）。路加特别强调了这些默默奉献、支持福音传播的妇女，以此彰显她们的价值。正如上帝将这些默默奉献的妇女也列入对祂国度作出宝贵贡献的人之中，祂也同样看见我们的努力。祂知道我们的名字（约翰福音10:3），也看见我们对祂事工的投入（希伯来书6:10）。
反思与祷告 你何时感到被忽视或被低估？知道上帝将这些默默奉献的妇女也列入对祂国度作出贡献的清单中，将如何激励你？
亲爱的上帝，感谢祢看见我，认识我，并珍视我所献上的一切。——伊丽莎·摩根