THE JOY OF THE LORD

Passage: Luke 10:17-24

Key verse: 20

NIV

17 The seventy-two(A) returned with joy and said, “Lord, even the demons submit to us in your name.”(B)

18 He replied, “I saw Satan(C) fall like lightning from heaven.(D) 19 I have given you authority to trample on snakes(E) 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.”(F)

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.(G) Yes, Father, for this is what you were pleased to do.

22 “All things have been committed to me by my Father.(H) 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.”(I)

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.”(J)

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Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV® Copyright ©1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.® Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.
Source: BibleGateway

ESV

The Return of the Seventy-Two

17 (A)The seventy-two returned with joy, saying, “Lord, (B)even the demons are subject to us in your name!” 18 And he said to them, (C)“I saw Satan (D)fall like lightning from heaven. 19 Behold, I have given you authority (E)to tread on serpents and scorpions, and over all the power of (F)the enemy, and (G)nothing shall hurt you. 20 (H)Nevertheless, do not rejoice in this, that the spirits are subject to you, but rejoice that (I)your names are written in heaven.”

Jesus Rejoices in the Father's Will

21 (J)In that same hour (K)he rejoiced (L)in the Holy Spirit and said, “I thank you, Father, (M)Lord of heaven and earth, that (N)you have hidden these things from the wise and understanding and (O)revealed them to little children; yes, Father, for (P)such was your gracious will.[a] 22 (Q)All things have been handed over to me by my Father, and no one knows who the Son is (R)except the Father, or who the Father is (S)except the Son and anyone (T)to whom the Son chooses to reveal him.”

23 Then turning to the disciples he said privately, (U)“Blessed are the eyes that see what you see! 24 For I tell you (V)that many prophets and kings desired to see what you see, and did not see it, and to hear what you hear, and did not hear it.”

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Footnotes
  1. Luke 10:21 Or for so it pleased you well
The Holy Bible, English Standard Version. ESV® Text Edition: 2016. Copyright © 2001 by Crossway Bibles, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers.
Source: BibleGateway

The seventy-two disciples who were sent out by Jesus returned with great joy. They were bold and courageous witnesses who had no idea about the reception they would receive or the situations they would face. However, God blessed them and worked through them. In Jesus’ name, even the demons submitted to them. There is joy in serving Jesus! When someone turns to Jesus after years of praying for them or when fruit begins to appear in the life of a Bible student, we experience a similar joy. The greatest joy we have, though, is in the joy of our salvation. Through the death and resurrection of Jesus, our sins have been forgiven and our names have been written in the kingdom of heaven. Ministry successes come and go, but the new and abundant life we have in Christ is forever.

Do you work for a grumpy boss? If so, that is no fun at all! In contrast, Jesus, our true Lord and Master, is full of love and joy. He delights in the many blessings of God that come through him. Jesus praised God for choosing the humble to reveal the mysteries of salvation. He rejoiced that God put all things under his control and that he could reveal the Father to anyone he chose. He also rejoiced that his disciples could see the Messiah and his mighty works, something that kings and prophets had longed to see.

Prayer: Lord Jesus, grant us your joy.

One Word: Your names are written in heaven