Luke 10:17-20 JOY WORTH JUMPING FOR

JOY WORTH JUMPING FOR

Luke 10:17-20

Luke 10:17 And the seventy returned again with joy, saying, Lord, even the devils are subject unto us through thy name.

Susan: The seventy disciples returned extremely joyful and reported back to the Lord Jesus. They were amazed that when they invoked the name of Jesus, even the demons had to obey them.

Luke 10:18 And he said unto them, I beheld Satan as lightning fall from heaven.

Susie: Of course, Jesus was not surprised by this at all. After all, He had been there when the Father cast Satan out of Heaven (Is. 14:12–14; Ezek. 28:12–15). Since He had witnessed the downfall of Satan, it should come as no surprise that Satan’s demons were subject to being cast out on the earth.

Luke 10:19 Behold, I give unto you power to tread on serpents and scorpions, and over all the power of the enemy: and nothing shall by any means hurt you.

Susan: Jesus imparted to the seventy disciples power over Satan, his demons, and venomous varmints that could be used to harm or even kill them. Later, the Apostle Paul could testify to this power:

Acts 28:3-6 And when Paul had gathered a bundle of sticks, and laid them on the fire, there came a viper out of the heat, and fastened on his hand. And when the barbarians saw the venomous beast hang on his hand, they said among themselves, No doubt this man is a murderer, whom, though he hath escaped the sea, yet vengeance suffereth not to live. And he shook off the beast into the fire and felt no harm. Howbeit they looked when he should have swollen or fallen down dead suddenly: but after they had looked a great while, and saw no harm come to him, they changed their minds, and said that he was a god.

Susie: Jesus told them that nothing would harm them. Truly, nothing can harm the believer unless God allows it, and nothing, not even death, can separate us from His love:

Romans 8:38-39 For I am persuaded, that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor powers, nor things present, nor things to come, Nor height, nor depth, nor any other creature, shall be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.

Luke 10:20 Notwithstanding in this rejoice not, that the spirits are subject unto you; but rather rejoice, because your names are written in heaven.

Susie: These disciples were ecstatic over the power they had been given over demons. However, Jesus told them this should not be their main reason for joy.

Susan: Our irrevocable reservation for a home in heaven purchased for us by Jesus on the cross is the privilege for which we should be most overwhelmed, elated, and thankful. The knowledge that our names are written in the Lamb’s book of Life should evoke joy unspeakable.

Revelation 21:27 And there shall in no wise enter into it any thing that defileth, neither whatsoever worketh abomination, or maketh a lie: but they which are written in the Lamb's book of life.

Ponder this and Apply it: We rejoice when our prayers are answered in a mighty way. We rejoice when a friend hears words like, “The cancer has disappeared completely from your body.” Those displays of God’s power are cause for excitement and happiness. However, we should be jumping for joy that our sins are forgiven and Jesus has promised to prepare a home for us in Heaven. When was the last time you thanked the Lord for your salvation? Have you sung any joyful songs about Heaven recently? Is there a loved one or friend with whom you need to share your greatest joy?