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The Posse That Funded a Revolution
How Jesus’ Movement Was Bankrolled by Women — Including One Tied to a King
After this, Jesus travelled about from one town and village to another, proclaiming the good news of the kingdom of God. The Twelve were with him, and also some women who had been cured of evil spirits and diseases… These women were helping to support them out of their own means.
— Luke 8
I’ve attended many different denominations since I was a child, and most of them I’ve found annoying for one reason or another. One of the biggest issues for me?
How some churches treat women.
When I discover they’re barred from certain roles or treated poorly, I point to this passage from Luke. There’s so much packed into this short paragraph that you almost don’t know where to begin.
But let’s start here:
Jesus did not travel alone.
The Greek word used here for the group that followed Jesus literally means posse. (Yes, posse. Tell me you’re not smiling right now.)
Jesus wasn’t just wandering the countryside in a robe with a glowing halo. He travelled with a whole crew — men and women. His movement was communal, grounded, and embodied.