Why We Included Joanna in Women in the Word

When most people think of the women of the Bible, names like Mary, Esther, Ruth, or Deborah often come to mind. Their stories are well-known, frequently taught, and easy to recognize. But what about the women whose names only appear a handful of times in Scripture?

One of those women is Joanna.

At first glance, Joanna may seem like an unexpected choice for a devotional focused on the women of the Bible. She doesn't have an entire book dedicated to her story. We don't read lengthy conversations she had with Jesus. In fact, she is only mentioned a few times in the Gospel accounts.

Yet her story is one of the reasons we knew she needed to be included in our newest Bible reading plan and devotional Women in the Word.

Luke tells us that Joanna was the wife of Chuza, the manager of Herod's household (Luke 8:1-3). This means she likely lived a life of influence, security, and status. From the outside, it may have seemed like she had everything she could want.

But Joanna's life reminds us that no amount of comfort, success, or position can satisfy the deepest needs of the human heart. After being healed by Jesus, she became one of His devoted followers. Rather than returning to a comfortable life, she chose to center her life around Him.

She traveled with Jesus, supported His ministry from her own resources, and invested her time, talents, and possessions into advancing God's Kingdom.

Many people follow Jesus when life is easy. Joanna followed Him when things became difficult.

After Jesus was crucified, fear caused many followers to scatter. Yet Joanna remained faithful. She was among the women who went to the tomb early on the first day of the week, expecting to anoint Jesus' body with spices.

Instead, she encountered the greatest news in history.

The tomb was empty.

Joanna became one of the first witnesses to the resurrection of Jesus and helped share the news with the apostles (Luke 24:1-12). The woman whose name many believers barely recognize today was among the first people entrusted with proclaiming that Christ had risen.

Why Joanna's Story Matters Today

Joanna's story is a reminder that God often works through people the world overlooks.

She wasn't a queen. She wasn't a prophet. She wasn't one of the twelve Apostles. Yet her faithfulness mattered deeply in God's story.

Her life challenges us to ask important questions:

• Do we value Jesus more than our comfort?
• Are we willing to use our resources for God's Kingdom?
• Will we remain faithful when following Him becomes costly?

Joanna may not be one of the most famous women in Scripture, but her example of quiet devotion continues to inspire believers today.

This reflection is adapted from Women in the Word, our devotional and Bible reading plan that explores the lives of women throughout Scripture and the lessons their stories still teach us today.

From well-known figures to women whose stories are often overlooked, Women in the Word helps readers discover God's faithfulness through every page of Scripture.

Joanna's story proves that you don't have to be famous to make an eternal impact. A life fully devoted to Jesus is never insignificant.