TRAVELING CLASSROOM

Jesus occasionally taught in the synagogues, the meeting places of the Jews, but most of his teaching was done outdoors to the multitudes along the way. He left these last words for his disciples: “As you are going, preach the gospel to the whole world” (Mk 16:15). He traveled to all the towns and villages, accompanied by twelve apostles and “many others.” Some “women helped to support him out of their own means” (Lk 8:1-3). He did not have a place of his own where he could “lay his head.” Later Mary, the mother of John Mark, opened her house for the church to meet for prayer (Acts 12:12). Joanna (Luke 8) had a prestigious position and she generously contributed to Jesus’ ministry. For the first three centuries, churches of Christ met in homes and rented halls. There were no “church buildings” until after 300 A.D.

Mary, Martha and Lazarus opened their home to Jesus and his followers (Lk 10:38). Mary was “sitting at Jesus’ feet,” indicating she was his student. Other women included the mothers of the disciples who evidently supported them. One requested a special place in the kingdom for her two sons (Mt 20:20). Although her request was misguided, Jesus did grant to James the honor of being the first martyr (Acts 12:2), and to John a life on Patmos where he outlived the other ten apostles.

Let us not be ashamed to tell the good news of Jesus wherever we go from day to day (I Pet 4:16).