When the seventy-two disciples returned, they joyfully reported to him, “Lord, even the demons obey us when we use your name!” “Yes,” he told them, “I saw Satan fall from heaven like lightning! … But don’t rejoice because evil spirits obey you; rejoice because your names are registered in heaven.”— Luke 10:17-20 NLT
Jesus sent out seventy-two disciples ahead of Him into towns He planned to visit. He sent them out in pairs with specific instructions – “Don’t take any money with you, nor a traveler’s bag, nor an extra pair of sandals. And don’t stop to greet anyone on the road… Heal the sick, and tell them, ‘The Kingdom of God is near you now.’” Luke 10:4-9 (NLT)
The disciples returned with joy and great testimony of how the spirits were subject to them when they used Jesus’ name. Jesus agreed and rejoiced with them saying, “Yes…I saw Satan fall from heaven like lightning!”
Jesus could have been saying to the disciples not to be surprised that demons were subject to them. After all, He’s the source of the power and authority that makes the demons submit to the disciples. Also, Jesus witnessed their master – Satan, cast out of heaven and no wonder his minions cannot resist the name and power of Christ.
Jesus could also be subtly reminding and warning the disciples against pride, the very reason for the fall of Satan when he was ejected from Heaven.
The truth is people may cast out demons and work great miracles yet be excluded from the kingdom of God. Miracles and supernatural signs and wonders are not peculiar or exclusive to Christianity. Other religions who deny or reject Christ can also perform miracles using dark powers, for example, Pharoah’s magicians mimicked some of Moses’ miracles, signs and wonders.
What separates Christianity from other religions is the work of salvation in us through the finished work of Christ. And that’s the source of our joy and what we celebrate as believers.
We see in today’s Christianity how some people become emotionally high and excited after God uses them in some powerful way or after the display of spiritual power. The excitement is not necessarily over what God has done but rather on their own achievement. If what the disciples experienced happened in our day, we will see healing and deliverance ministries spring up everywhere!
Rather than being so fascinated with extraordinary manifestations of miracle-working, believers should focus on the greatest miracle, the miracle of salvation through Christ. It is however safe to rejoice in salvation by grace, through faith in Christ alone.
God wants us to always see that what He did for us is far greater than what we could ever do for Him. Our joy should never be about what we do or can do for God but about what God has done in us. It’s good for us to be conservative or moderate in the joy we exhibit over our talents, gifts, and success.
The fact that our names are written or registered in heaven should always remind us of our huge indebtedness to God and His Son.
Stay blessed,
LaraLex
Hills and Valleys 