READ THIS: Luke 10:17-24
17 The seventy-two returned with joy and said, “Lord, even the demons submit to us in your name.”
18 He replied, “I saw Satan fall like lightning from heaven. 19 I have given you authority to trample on snakes and scorpions and to overcome all the power of the enemy; nothing will harm you. 20 However, do not rejoice that the spirits submit to you, but rejoice that your names are written in heaven.”
21 At that time Jesus, full of joy through the Holy Spirit, said, “I praise you, Father, Lord of heaven and earth, because you have hidden these things from the wise and learned, and revealed them to little children. Yes, Father, for this is what you were pleased to do.
22 “All things have been committed to me by my Father. No one knows who the Son is except the Father, and no one knows who the Father is except the Son and those to whom the Son chooses to reveal him.”
23 Then he turned to his disciples and said privately, “Blessed are the eyes that see what you see. 24 For I tell you that many prophets and kings wanted to see what you see but did not see it, and to hear what you hear but did not hear it.”
WHAT’S THIS MEAN, ANYWAY?
In case you missed it,
yesterday's post was about Jesus sending out 72 of His followers to go out and share the good news, healing others and proclaiming the name of Jesus to towns nearby! Today is all about the news those followers brought back to Jesus... and this was some
great news! They come back to Jesus telling them that even the demons they faced on their journey submitted to the name of Jesus, and Jesus says that He saw Satan fall just like lightning from the heavens.
However, verses 19 and 20 show us something super interesting that can easily be missed. Jesus says that His followers have the authority to do some crazy things: trample snakes and scorpions and even overcome the enemy's power... but He tells them that there is even greater news for them to rejoice about: their names are written in heaven! But what does that even mean? Throughout the Bible, and even a few times in our Revelation series we did a few weeks ago, God's Word mentions that His people will have their names written in the Book of Life, and sometimes the Word even says that God's people will be given a new name.
When someone's name is written in the Book of Life, they are given eternal life with Jesus. The good news that we know is that all we need to do to have our name written in this Book is believe in Jesus Christ. When Jesus says that His followers' names are written in heaven, He is reminding them (and us) that there is nothing more joyful than having life forever with Him in heaven!
After giving praise to God for working so clearly through His disciples, Jesus turns to them and tells them they have been able to see and hear things that many prophets and kings couldn't even see themselves. When we see Jesus working in our lives, we need to remember this is a special opportunity and a blessing that Jesus doesn't always have to give to us... it's a blessing and an honor!
THINK ABOUT IT:
1. How do you know your name is written in heaven?
2. How have you seen God working in you or those around you to combat the enemy? Have you given God thanks for that?
TRY THIS:
If you know this song, you probably saw it coming... but check out this song with a reference to verses 18-20 HERE!
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