Kindness Leads to Joy

by Brenda McGraw @BrendaMMcGraw

Kindness leads to joy.

Because of her kindness, she saw Jesus.

Have you ever heard of Joanna of the Bible?

She is not preached about, nor am I aware of any books referencing her story; however, God felt she was important enough to be mentioned in His Word. He apparently thought her kindness deserved a note in the scriptures.

Would you like to know more about this mysterious woman? Let’s see what the Bible says:

Joanna was the wife of Chuza. Well, that doesn’t tell us anything. Who was Chuza? He was a steward or manager of Herod Antipas, a position of wealth and renown. Therefore we can be pretty sure Joanna had wealth. (Luke 8:3)

Joanna had been cured of evil spirits and diseases. (Luke 8:2)

Joanna was a follower of Jesus and followed Him from Galilee. (Luke 8:1-2 and 23:49)

Joanna helped support Jesus out of her own means. (Luke 8:3)

Joanna was at the crucifixion of Jesus.

Joanna was at the crucifixion of Jesus. (Luke 23:49)

She saw Jesus’ body prepared and laid in the tomb. (Luke 23:55)

Joanna prepared spices and perfumes for Jesus’ body. (Luke 23:56)

She rested on the Sabbath in obedience to God. (Luke 23:56)

Joanna was among the women who went to the tomb the morning of the resurrection. (Luke 24:1)

Joanna saw the stone rolled away and the empty tomb. (Luke 24:2 - 3)

She saw the two men who appeared to be angels telling, “He is not here; He has risen!” (Luke 24:6)

Joanna, along with other women, met Jesus on the road and fell down and worshipped Him. (Matthew 28:8-9)

Joanna had a precious encounter with Jesus and chose to follow Him, along with His disciples. I assume she was a friend of Mary Magdalene, and Mary, Jesus’ mother, because she was hanging out with them more than once in stories of the life of Jesus.

Many times we read a name in the Bible and forget these were real people, with real emotions, problems, dreams, talents, and beating hearts. Joanna’s heart beat for Jesus. She knew Him. She touched Him. She heard Him pray and teach. She saw Him die. She saw Him rise again. She worshipped Him.

Joanna was a friend of Jesus.

Because of Joanna’s love for Jesus, she was kind. She was a friend of Jesus. When He lived she walked in His inner circle. She believed in Him and gave her heart and life to follow Him. Joanna offered her wealth and talents. She bought whatever was needed to prepare the perfumes and spices. She devoted her time to go see Him at the crucifixion and at the tomb.

Due to the devotion and kind heart of this woman named Joanna, she experienced Jesus in a way many others never knew. Once she saw the tomb was empty, she was filled with joy, even beyond the fear of the unknown. (Luke 24:8)

Maybe God wants us to experience Him in a way that fills us with indescribable joy. He wants our hearts to be devoted to Him. He wants our kindness to be spread throughout not only our inner circle, but throughout the enlarged territory that He has given us. We have been chosen and He wants us to truly see Jesus, so we will fall at His feet and worship Him.

When we hang out with Jesus, and He is in our inner-circle, He appears and r

eveals Himself face to face.

“But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control.”

(Galatians 5:22-23, NIV)

“Therefore, as God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience.”

(Colossians 3:12, NIV)

Kindness leads to joy and Jesus. Jesus gives kindness and joy.

Can you name one way that someone has been kind to you recently that brought you joy? Be sure to leave your thoughts in the comments section below. 

Brenda McGraw is an author and speaker who reveals how to discover joy beyond the clutter of life. She draws from her own life experiences in the #1 Amazon Best seller, “Joy Beyond, 28 Days to Finding Joy Beyond the Clutter of Life”. She is the founder of Ask God Today Ministries where she has a team of writers sharing truth and hope with others. 

Brenda currently lives in South Carolina with her husband, Jeff and three of their five children. She is a survivor of breast cancer and a heart attack.. Despite the challenges she has endured, Brenda found peace through her relationship with Jesus Christ. 

You can connect with Brenda at:

Website - http://www.askgodtoday.com

Amazon Author Page:  http://www.amazon.com/Brenda-McGraw/e/B00GOIE7AG

Twitter: https://www.twitter.com/BrendaMMcGraw