Luke 10:17-24 (NLT)
17 When the seventy-two disciples returned, they joyfully reported to Him, “Lord, even the demons obey us when we use Your Name!”
18 “Yes,” He told them, “I saw Satan fall from heaven like lightning! 19 Look, I have given you authority over all the power of the enemy, and you can walk among snakes and scorpions and crush them. Nothing will injure you. 20 But don’t rejoice because evil spirits obey you; rejoice because your names are registered in heaven.” [emphasis mine]
Jesus’ Prayer of Thanksgiving
21 At that same time Jesus was filled with the joy of the Holy Spirit, and He said, “O Father, Lord of heaven and earth, thank You for hiding these things from those who think themselves wise and clever, and for revealing them to the childlike. Yes, Father, it pleased You to do it this way.
22 “My Father has entrusted everything to Me. No one truly knows the Son except the Father, and no one truly knows the Father except the Son and those to whom the Son chooses to reveal Him.”
23 Then when they were alone, He turned to the disciples and said, “Blessed are the eyes that see what you have seen. 24 I tell you, many prophets and kings longed to see what you see, but they didn’t see it. And they longed to hear what you hear, but they didn’t hear it.” [emphasis mine]
This is such a cool chapter in Luke's gospel. In verses 17-20 the disciples are joyous over the abilities and power they had received but Jesus quickly reminds them to rejoice because of who they are [in Christ] - not because of what they can do [through Him]. Do I have my priorities straight - in the right order? I'm forgiven through the blood of Christ first and foremost! Everything else is 'cake'!
Next, in verses 21-24 I really was blessed by two things that stood out (afresh) to me today. First, Jesus Himself, is filled with the JOY of the Holy Spirit. Is that because that is where true JOY comes from?
Then, I was amazed that Jesus chooses those to whom He reveals the Father. Wow! Am I thankful that Jesus chose me to know the Father!
Choosing JOY,
Stephanie
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