| Author | Message | ||
| Philharris Registered user Username: Philharris Post Number: 2993 Registered: 5-2007  |
After having first sent out the original 12 disciples we come to Luke 10:1-20 where Jesus sends out another seventy-two disciples who have similar authority given to them. What is of even greater significance than that of their having cast out demons, amazing as what they did in Jesus name was, what Jesus said to them when they return was astounding: And he said to them, “I saw Satan fall like lightning from heaven. Behold, I have given you authority to tread on serpents and scorpions, and over all the power of the enemy, and nothing shall hurt you. Nevertheless, do not rejoice in this, that the spirits are subject to you, but rejoice that your names are written in heaven.” (Luke 10:18-20 ESV) Jesus assures these seventy-two disciples turned evangelist who were preaching, healing and casting out demons is that their names are written in heaven which is what they are to rejoice over rather than all the mighty works they had done under Jesus authority and power. That message applies to us today. Jesus intends for us to know that our names are written in heaven and wants us to rejoice over that above all the things we do in his name. Mind you, even the might good works we do under the leading and power of our Savior take second place when it comes to rejoicing over knowing our names are written in heaven. Of course our salvation is totally a work of our Savior and when we rejoice it is in praise of him who is the author and finisher of our salvation. Fearless Phil | ||
| Colleentinker Registered user Username: Colleentinker Post Number: 14699 Registered: 12-2003  |
Phil, this is an amazing text. I've thought of it often. The disciples were to understand that the authority Jesus gave them over Satan's power was NOTHING in comparison to the fact that their names were in Heaven. In fact, Jesus specifically told them NOT to rejoice in their authority over the power of evil. It was not something to which they were to pay any special attention. It was, rather, the consequence of belonging to Jesus and being eternally saved. It was a fruit, a natural result of being saved—not something they were to seek or rejoice in. They were to rejoice that God had chosen them and written their names in Heaven. All the rest was the consequence of being His. Thanks for a great post! Colleen |
