Slices
Prepare
Recall a time recently when God used you to bring blessing into someone’s life. Reflect on the privilege it is to be involved in what Jesus is still doing on earth – giving Satan a really hard time!
Bible passage
17 The seventy-two returned with joy and said, ‘Lord, even the demons submit to us in your name.’
18 He replied, ‘I saw Satan fall like lightning from heaven. 19 I have given you authority to trample on snakes and scorpions and to overcome all the power of the enemy; nothing will harm you. 20 However, do not rejoice that the spirits submit to you, but rejoice that your names are written in heaven.’
21 At that time Jesus, full of joy through the Holy Spirit, said, ‘I praise you, Father, Lord of heaven and earth, because you have hidden these things from the wise and learned, and revealed them to little children. Yes, Father, for this is what you were pleased to do.
22 ‘All things have been committed to me by my Father. No one knows who the Son is except the Father, and no one knows who the Father is except the Son and those to whom the Son chooses to reveal him.’
23 Then he turned to his disciples and said privately, ‘Blessed are the eyes that see what you see. 24 For I tell you that many prophets and kings wanted to see what you see but did not see it, and to hear what you hear but did not hear it.’
Explore
On today’s leg of the journey, there are two surprising and challenging insights from Jesus about what it means to follow him. First, even though he warned his 72 disciples of the possible hardships and setbacks ahead of them (vs 3,10,16), they’re coming back overwhelmingly successful in their mission (v 17). They’re laughing! But how lasting is the source of their joy?
‘Rejoicing in the Lord means knowing Jesus Christ as our Lord, Saviour and Treasure. It means he gives us deeper, purer, sweeter, more lasting pleasure and gladness than anything this world has to offer’ (Brian Tabb in ‘Rejoice even though’*) – even all the wonderful things he does through us. Is this true for me?
Secondly, what the 72 have just learned fills Jesus with joy (v 21). As ‘ordinary’ as they are, they’ve grasped and experienced the mystery of knowing God through Jesus. No one before them has had this privilege (v 24). Though not exactly in the same way as those first followers, I should be amazed every day that I too – ordinary me – have come to know and experience him. How can I prompt myself about this?
Respond
‘Rejoice! Rejoice! Christ is in you, the hope of glory in our hearts’.**
**‘Rejoice!’, Graham Kendrick, © 1983, Thankyou Music.
Deeper Bible study
‘“Take up your cross”, the Saviour said, / “if you would my disciple be. / Take up your cross … and humbly follow after me.”’1
The disciples returned, jubilant about their achievements. Jesus had taken a risk, sending everybody out, not just the twelve. Now they return, full of tales of their power over evil spirits. Jesus’ response is elation (v 21). Evil has retreated a little before his disciples. This is prophetic! Victory over the forces of evil still awaits the cross and the final vanquishing of evil at the end of time, but Jesus senses the beginning of the end. Those who go in his name need not fear ‘snakes and scorpions’ (v 19), the deadly poison of evil which cannot overcome us. Neither the disciples nor we are physically safe from accident or disease in this life. Many of Jesus’ followers would go on to die a martyr’s death – but death has no sting.2 We are safe, not from earthly suffering, but safe for eternity. In Jesus’ final prayer for his disciples, he explicitly says that he does not ask for their immunity from suffering, but that ‘you protect them from the evil one’.3
Jesus’ other reaction to the disciples’ excitement is a stern warning not to take pride in their successes as if they were personal achievements. All spiritual abilities are given to us, not earned. They all come from God. No one should feel personal pride in gifts like preaching or healing or leadership. None are deserved. All are bestowed. It is sad to see Christian organisations advertising their ‘signs and wonders’ and adopting personal names such as ‘X X Ministries’. We see far too often the adulation of prominent Christian leaders and their own easy acceptance of their fame. All that ultimately matters is that our names are written in God’s eternity. We have nothing spiritual to take pride in. We were bought at great cost. We belong to God, who says, ‘I have engraved you on the palms of my hands’.4
Lord of your church, gladly we take your spiritual gifts with outstretched hands. Forgive our pride. Thank you that our names are written in heaven.
1 Charles Everest, 1814–1877 2 See 1 Cor 15:55 3 John 17:15 4 Isa 49:16
Bible in a year
Read the Bible in a year: Ezekiel 22,23; Psalms 120–122
Pray for Scripture Union
Local Mission Partner Ouzel Valley Pioneer Ministry has appointed a Pioneer Missioner called Tom. The first year of his role will be community listening to ascertain the needs they can address in the new housing surrounding Leighton Buzzard. Please pray that they will listen well to the community and to God’s leading.
