Seven Demons

Jesus journeyed from one town and village to another, preaching and proclaiming the good news of the Kingdom of God. Accompanying him were the Twelve and some women who had been cured of evil spirits and infirmities, Mary, called Magdalene, from whom seven demons had gone out, Joanna, the wife of Herod’s steward Chuza, Susanna, and many others who provided for them out of their resources. (Luke 8:1-3)

According to the footnote in Luke 8:1-3, Luke presents Jesus as an "itinerant preacher traveling in the company of the Twelve and of the Galilean women who are sustaining them out of their means. These Galilean women will later accompany Jesus on his journey to Jerusalem and become witnesses to his death and resurrection, where Mary Magdalene and Joanna are specifically mentioned. The association of women with the ministry of Jesus is most unusual in the light of the attitude of first-century Palestinian Judaism toward women. The more common attitude is expressed in John 4:27, and early rabbinic documents caution against speaking with women in public."

Most notably, Luke specifically mentions seven demons having gone out of Mary Magdalene.  That’s quite the exorcism!  Apparently, that was not needed for Joanna.  She was a “lady of the court” being the wife of Herod’s official (Chuza) who looked after the king’s financial interests.  It’s curious that Luke has the “sinful” Magdalene teamed up with “the lady” Joanna to travel with Jesus, the Twelve, and “some women who had been cured of evil spirits and infirmities.”  Quite the mix and diversity.

Do we have to be cured of evil spirits, demons, and infirmities before we can “travel” with Jesus?  No, we don’t; however, we are expected to provide for Jesus “out of our resources.” This means our time through service and prayer.  It means that to be with Jesus we must follow his way, and it is challenging.  

Let’s exorcise our own seven demons called pride, envy, anger, sloth, gluttony, avarice and lust.  Let’s replace them with humility, admiration, forgiveness, zeal, generosity, asceticism, and chastity.  When we do, we walk besides Jesus and not behind him.

Deacon David Pierce