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The Return of the Seventy-Two
17When the 72 followers returned, they were excited and said, “Lord, even the demons obeyed when we spoke in your name!”
18Jesus told them:
I saw Satan fall from heaven like a flash of lightning. 19 I have given you the power to trample on snakes and scorpions and to defeat the power of your enemy Satan. Nothing can harm you. 20But don't be happy because evil spirits obey you. Be happy that your names are written in heaven!
Jesus Thanks His Father
(Matthew 11.25-27; 13.16,17)
21At that same time, Jesus felt the joy that comes from the Holy Spirit, and he said:
My Father, Lord of heaven and earth, I am grateful that you hid all this from wise and educated people and showed it to ordinary people. Yes, Father, this is what pleased you.
22 My Father has given me everything, and he is the only one who knows the Son. The only one who really knows the Father is the Son. But the Son wants to tell others about the Father, so they can know him too.
23Jesus then turned to his disciples and said to them in private, “You are really blessed to see what you see! 24Many prophets and kings were eager to see what you see and to hear what you hear. But I tell you they did not see or hear.”
Reflect
Life is full of unexpected danger and evil. If it’s not your personal experience, a quick skim of the week’s headlines will bear evidence. Ever notice the tendency to blame God?
We don’t know how long the 72 disciples were away, but when they returned they could hardly contain their excitement. Apparently, it had been a quite a journey. It had been successful – surpassing their wildest expectations – but, also fraught with danger.
If you’ll recall, before they left, Jesus had given them plenty of instructions such as not to carry anything on their journey, and to be the picture of gentleness and peacefulness. He also warned them the ministry might not always be successful (vv 10-11). He hadn’t said anything about demons!
Because demons are mentioned repeatedly in the New Testament, we might gloss over that. But put yourself in their shoes. It’s hard to imagine anything as terrifying as wicked creatures from hell itself suddenly being part of your day.
As unprepared as they were, they were completely prepared: “Lord, even the demons obeyed when we spoke in your name” (v 17). Consider what faith that took! They trusted Jesus even when the unexpected happened; they didn’t blame him or cower in fear. They believed Christ was powerful … and even his name could defeat evil.
They were right (vv 18-19).
Notice how Jesus rejoices (vv 21-22). He pours out a spontaneous prayer of thanksgiving to the Father. It has pleased the Father, Son and the Holy Spirit to see these disciples taking on their mission with child-like faith.
It is with people like this that he shares heavenly knowledge. It cannot be earned or learned. By grace, it comes with faith.
Respond
Heavenly Father, Almighty God, you have defeated Satan and all his evil power even though he continues his wicked ways. Sometimes we forget your victory. Forgive us, Father, and strengthen our faith so that we too will weather all the evil storms of life. In Christ’s name, Amen.
Jo Lynne Duck (Sheane)
Once found on the national airwaves as a reporter, Jo Lynn Duck (Sheane) now lives in Windsor, Ontario joyfully living as a wife and mom of two school-aged children. She also completed a Master of Theological Studies at Tyndale Seminary. She taught journalism at St. Clair College and worked as a local producer until she switched gears completely. She is now the Admissions and Marketing Coordinator for Maranatha Christian Academy in Windsor.