Text: Luke 10: 17-21 (NKJV).
17 Then the seventy returned with joy, saying, “Lord, even the demons are subject to us in Your name.”
18 And He said to them, “I saw Satan fall like lightning from heaven.
19 Behold, I give you the authority to trample on serpents and scorpions, and over all the power of the enemy, and nothing shall by any means hurt you.
20 Nevertheless do not rejoice in this, that the spirits are subject to you, but rather rejoice because your names are written in heaven.”
21 In that hour Jesus rejoiced in the Spirit and said, “I thank You, Father, Lord of heaven and earth, that You have hidden these things from the wise and prudent and revealed them to babes. Even so, Father, for so it seemed good in Your sight.
The Message
The Big Deal
Jesus selected seventy disciples (maybe next in rank to the twelve Apostles), to go to the neighboring cities where He would be visiting. They were to be His forerunners in those cities, to preach and herald His coming. They did good jobs. They did what the Master wanted: winning souls and causing havoc to the kingdom of darkness. They cast out demons. They represented Jesus well before men and before the devil. They were excited and full of well-deserved joy. They brought good reports to Jesus, saying “Lord, even the demons are subject to us in Your name.” (Luke 10:17). Jesus was excited too: He saw Satan falling from heaven. (Luke 10:17). He went ahead to reinforce their authority and put all satanic power under their feet, such that “nothing shall by any means hurt” them. Jesus sided with them that they have good reasons to be excited. This is a big deal!
However, Jesus warned them not to be carried away by this effective exercise of His power. Even though it is a big deal to have spirit surrendering to mortal man, THE BIG DEAL, is the fact that their names are written in heaven. On the last day, Jesus will not be interested in the resume we present to Him. It will not be about us or the work we did on earth but about Who knows us. He earlier declared to the Apostles:
“Not everyone who says to Me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ shall enter the kingdom of heaven, but he who does the will of My Father in heaven. Many will say to Me in that day, ‘Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in Your name, cast out demons in Your name, and done many wonders in Your name?’ And then I will declare to them, ‘I never knew you; depart from Me, you who practice lawlessness!’.” (Matthew 7:21-23).
In the end, good work will not be a substitute for holy living. Miracle working cannot replace salvation. What we know will not be as important as Who knows us. How many people know us (popularity) has no value, if the Master does not know us. You may perform all miracles on earth and even get to the highest rank in the church, but does the Owner of the church know you? THAT IS THE BIG DEAL!
Confession
I am a child of God. My name is written in heaven, by His grace.
Prayer
Father, please do not cast me away from your presence.
Reflection
Our work will only count, if we are among the numbers in the Book of Life.
Further Reading
Matthew 7:13-23
Covenant Word – The Big Deal
Text: Luke 10: 17-21 (NKJV).
17 Then the seventy returned with joy, saying, “Lord, even the demons are subject to us in Your name.”
18 And He said to them, “I saw Satan fall like lightning from heaven.
19 Behold, I give you the authority to trample on serpents and scorpions, and over all the power of the enemy, and nothing shall by any means hurt you.
20 Nevertheless do not rejoice in this, that the spirits are subject to you, but rather rejoice because your names are written in heaven.”
21 In that hour Jesus rejoiced in the Spirit and said, “I thank You, Father, Lord of heaven and earth, that You have hidden these things from the wise and prudent and revealed them to babes. Even so, Father, for so it seemed good in Your sight.
The Message
The Big Deal
Jesus selected seventy disciples (maybe next in rank to the twelve Apostles), to go to the neighboring cities where He would be visiting. They were to be His forerunners in those cities, to preach and herald His coming. They did good jobs. They did what the Master wanted: winning souls and causing havoc to the kingdom of darkness. They cast out demons. They represented Jesus well before men and before the devil. They were excited and full of well-deserved joy. They brought good reports to Jesus, saying “Lord, even the demons are subject to us in Your name.” (Luke 10:17). Jesus was excited too: He saw Satan falling from heaven. (Luke 10:17). He went ahead to reinforce their authority and put all satanic power under their feet, such that “nothing shall by any means hurt” them. Jesus sided with them that they have good reasons to be excited. This is a big deal!
However, Jesus warned them not to be carried away by this effective exercise of His power. Even though it is a big deal to have spirit surrendering to mortal man, THE BIG DEAL, is the fact that their names are written in heaven. On the last day, Jesus will not be interested in the resume we present to Him. It will not be about us or the work we did on earth but about Who knows us. He earlier declared to the Apostles:
“Not everyone who says to Me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ shall enter the kingdom of heaven, but he who does the will of My Father in heaven. Many will say to Me in that day, ‘Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in Your name, cast out demons in Your name, and done many wonders in Your name?’ And then I will declare to them, ‘I never knew you; depart from Me, you who practice lawlessness!’.” (Matthew 7:21-23).
In the end, good work will not be a substitute for holy living. Miracle working cannot replace salvation. What we know will not be as important as Who knows us. How many people know us (popularity) has no value, if the Master does not know us. You may perform all miracles on earth and even get to the highest rank in the church, but does the Owner of the church know you? THAT IS THE BIG DEAL!
Confession
I am a child of God. My name is written in heaven, by His grace.
Prayer
Father, please do not cast me away from your presence.
Reflection
Our work will only count, if we are among the numbers in the Book of Life.
Further Reading
Matthew 7:13-23
Pastor Tim
Omoarugboojo1@gmail.com
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