Luke 10 - To God be the Glory

Though the parable of the good Samaritan is one of my very favorites, I feel compelled to speak on these verses today. “ 17The seventy-two returned with joy and said, "Lord, even the demons submit to us in your name." 18He (Jesus) replied, "I saw Satan fall like lightning from heaven. 19I have given you authority to trample on snakes and scorpions and to overcome all the power of the enemy; nothing will harm you. 20However, do not rejoice that the spirits submit to you, but rejoice that your names are written in heaven."

The seventy-two whom Jesus sent out to spread the Good News returned to Him full of joy and astonishment that they could drive out the demons in Jesus’ name. They had to be thinking, “wow, what awesome power Jesus has given us” or “how awesome and divine is Jesus, that we can drive out demons in His name”. They had to be overjoyed, because what Jesus sent them to do, they were accomplishing! They came back with a “praise report”, astonished and pleased that they were performing well.

To this, Jesus responded not shocked but “matter-of-factly”, of course. He knew, and told them, that He had given them the authority to overcome ALL the power of the enemy, not some, not most, but ALL. Praise Jesus, He equips us properly for the battles we must face. He didn’t need the “good reports” from the seventy-two, for Jesus already knew it was possible, for He had equipped them well; as we are equipped also. God never sends us into something without first giving us all we need to accomplish His goal. We must trust in Him, seek His will, do His bidding, and we will overcome; for God has given us the power to conquer the enemy, if we will only trust in Him and USE it.

However, as Jesus said in verse 20, we should not focus on the power God has bestowed upon us in His Son Jesus’ name, but be more elated that our name is in the Book of Life in Heaven. That, by Jesus’ sacrifice, we are saved and victorious. Sure, the power of God is astonishing, but when we focus solely on that, we tend to focus on what WE are accomplishing, then we forget to give God the glory. Use the gifts God gave you to accomplish His will and His plan for your life, to further His Kingdom; but never forget, the ultimate rejoicing is that we are SAVED by Jesus Christ and will be with Him and our Heavenly Father forever and ever. All praise be to God, for He is good, all the time. Amen?