Luke 8:1-3  There were  "..some women who had been healed of evil spirits and sicknesses; Mary.. Joanna.. and Susanna and many others who were contributing to their support out of their private means"  These women followed Jesus "going from one city and village to another". 

We know a little bit about these women.  We know that Mary of Magdalene had been possessed by demons and that Jesus had delivered her.  We know that she followed Him to the very end and beyond.  Luke tells us that Joanna was the wife of Chuza, who was a steward in Herod's house.  We don't know much about Susanna. 

Matthew tells about the women too.  In Matthew 27:55-56 he writes that  "many women.. who had followed Jesus from Galilee"  had ministered to Jesus along the way and were there at the cross. Again Mary Magdalene is mentioned first.  Another Mary is identified as "the mother of James and Joseph".  This James is also called the "less" or the younger James.. The mother of the "sons of Zebedee" James and John, also followed Jesus.  The two Mary's are the ones that went to the grave that first Resurrection Sunday.. the first to witness the stone rolled away. (28:1)  

Mark also comments on the women who followed Jesus. Mark 15:40 "And there were also some women looking on from a distance, among whom were Mary Magdalene, and Mary the mother of James the Less and Joses, and Salome."  Verse 41 tells us "there were many other women who had come up with Him to Jerusalem. "  

Luke will tell later that these women "were standing at a distance, seeing these things".. seeing the crucifixion.. hearing His last words.. watching the final breath escape His lungs. Luke tells us how they followed the procession to the tomb and saw the stone rolled into place..and then their return on the first day of the week to find the stone rolled away!

It is John who tells us Mary, the mother of Jesus was there also at the foot of the cross, along with her sister.. also called Mary the wife of Clopas, and Mary Magdalene.  John also tells about Mary Magdalene going to the tomb "early".. finding the stone rolled away , running to tell Peter and himself  and shortly later speaking to Jesus in the garden. 

These women were important to Jesus and to His ministry.  I wonder about them... how did they leave their homes, their husbands, their children and follow Jesus around the country?  The mother of James the less seems to have brought Joses and Salome with her to follow along with this James.  Also the mother of James and John, the sons of Zebedee  went.. apparently leaving her husband back in Galilee managing his fishing boat. It wouldn't have been easy to leave their homes and care for this band of disciples.. but they did it for the love of the Savior. 

Women still leave behind families to follow Jesus.. serving Him without hesitation.  My own sister lived in Africa for many, many years.. following the call of Jesus to serve Him far away from the rest of us.  It was a sacrifice on both sides of the ocean, but the Lord blessed us all to see the fruit of changed lives as Christ was made known to people who would not have heard the good news of Jesus Christ when they did. 

Father in heaven, I want to be a woman serves You, who follows Your plan and not my own.  You determine our steps, Lord and we thank You for being so faithful in leading us into Your great and wonderful will.  May we be like these faithful women, who quietly served You in the background, but who honored You in every act of love.. In Jesus' name we pray. Amen.