Joy and Blessings

Many years ago, staying at a friend's dacha in Russia. 

Scripture:

Luke 10:17   The seventy returned with joy, saying, “Lord, in your name even the demons submit to us!” ¹⁸ He said to them, “I watched Satan fall from heaven like a flash of lightning. ¹⁹ See, I have given you authority to tread on snakes and scorpions, and over all the power of the enemy; and nothing will hurt you. ²⁰ Nevertheless, do not rejoice at this, that the spirits submit to you, but rejoice that your names are written in heaven.”

Luke 10:21   At that same hour Jesus rejoiced in the Holy Spirit and said, “I thank you, Father, Lord of heaven and earth, because you have hidden these things from the wise and the intelligent and have revealed them to infants; yes, Father, for such was your gracious will. ²² All things have been handed over to me by my Father; and no one knows who the Son is except the Father, or who the Father is except the Son and anyone to whom the Son chooses to reveal him.”

Luke 10:23   Then turning to the disciples, Jesus said to them privately, “Blessed are the eyes that see what you see! ²⁴ For I tell you that many prophets and kings desired to see what you see, but did not see it, and to hear what you hear, but did not hear it.”

Observation:

The seventy are so excited about what has happened that they return with great joy. They were amazed at what they were able to accomplish in the name of Jesus. The next verse is really Jesus’ affirmation of the work that they had done. As they were casting out demons in Jesus’ name, Jesus watched Satan fall. Snakes and scorpions were signs of power and authority in the Old Testament so, he is acknowledging that the disciples will have power over these forces of the world, and ultimately, nothing will harm them. (“Nothing can separate us from the love of God.”) We return to the concept of joy, which is not to be found in the power, but rather in eternal life. 

The theme of joy continues as Jesus rejoices in the Holy Spirit, praying aloud. Jesus’ prayers always give us a glimpse of his relationship with the Father. The great truths of God are being revealed to these disciples, children of the faith. There may be some who think that these truths would be revealed to the great professors in the universities, but no, it was revealed to fishermen, tax collectors, and women! Jesus hints at the relationship between the Father and the Son, this interpenetration of persons, held together by holy love. 

Finally, he ends with another beatitude. They are blessed to bear witness to what is happening, both in what they see and hear. 

Application:

During our years in Russia we had many Work and Witness teams, youth teams, and other missions groups. One of the great joys was to debrief with them when they came back to Moscow before heading back home. With great joy they would tell the stories of what they had seen and heard. Many of them had new experiences, seeing the hand of God at work like they had never before. These were transformational experiences and the joy and blessings could be seen in and through these individuals. 

If we don’t go out and participate in Jesus’ mission we will miss out on what God wants to do for us. We will fail to see Satan fall. You see, this is a reality that few have experienced. There are strongholds that are crushing people and they need to be set free, but how many of us are willing to go to those spaces where those prayers need to be lifted up? Just this morning I heard the report of a youth group that took a mission trip in the US. While shopping in Walmart they encountered a woman who was greatly disturbed and seemed to be demon possessed. They felt compelled to go and pray for her. They approached her and asked if they could pray with her and she said yes. Right there in Walmart they surrounded this woman and began to cry out to God and she was rescued, leaving the place in peace. Those young people are today rejoicing in what the Lord did in and through them. They are blessed because of what they have seen and heard. 

I’m afraid that so much of what we experience in and through the church is far too cleaned and polished. When Jesus is at work there is a messiness about it all. It’s the mess that happens when we are like little children — like infants. This may be similar to what my grandson does when he goes through the room — leaving the trace of a whirlwind in his wake. If we are to experience the joy and blessings the Lord wants for us, then we have to be obedient to participate in the mission. 

Prayer:

Lord, I’m want to be on mission with you. Please, help me to be willing to go where you send me. Open my eyes to see you and your power at work. Amen.