Luke 10:17-24
17 The seventy-two returned with joy, saying, “Lord, even the demons are subject to us in your name!” 18 And he said to them, “I saw Satan fall like lightning from heaven. 19 Behold, I have given you authority to tread on serpents and scorpions, and over all the power of the enemy, and nothing shall hurt you. 20 Nevertheless, do not rejoice in this, that the spirits are subject to you, but rejoice that your names are written in heaven.”
21 In that same hour he rejoiced in the Holy Spirit and said, “I thank you, Father, Lord of heaven and earth, that you have hidden these things from the wise and understanding and revealed them to little children; yes, Father, for such was your gracious will. 22 All things have been handed over to me by my Father, and no one knows who the Son is except the Father, or who the Father is except the Son and anyone to whom the Son chooses to reveal him.”(ESV)
23 Then turning to the disciples he said privately, “Blessed are the eyes that see what you see! 24 For I tell you 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.”
God is really showing up in my quiet times lately. I have been working on summer school math work most of the day. Frustrated, I began to talk with the love of my life about my frustration with it all. She suggested that I take some time and spend it with Jesus, and the go back to working. It was such a wonderful idea. Praising God to Hillsong worship and reading scripture from Examen.me recharged my batteries! I went into Luke 10 today where Jesus is talking to his disciples as he does many time through the book. The disciples were amazed that even the demons knew of Jesus' power. Jesus does something incredible here. Jesus chose to give that same authority over to us!V.19 "Behold, I have given you authority to tread on serpents and scorpions, and over all the power of the enemy, and nothing shall hurt you." I can imagine the disciples faces as they herd this news. I imagine a football team after a touchdown. Players jumping up in down in there air, giving high-fives, and maybe even a little bit of butt slapping haha! However, Jesus is quick to correct them.V. 20 "Nevertheless, do not rejoice in this, that the spirits are subject to you, but rejoice that your names are written in heaven." Talk about a downer right? This is one of those moments why Jesus is God and I am not. Without V 20 there would be (and are very much so today)people who claim the authority for themselves. I think of televangelist or even churches I have been to where the authority given to us by the spirit is being used, yet, no credit is being given to Jesus. It's almost like plagiarism. Taken credit for work you did not do! I am currently in college and if I was to take credit in class for work I did not due, there would be trouble...major trouble. I could be expelled from the school with a mark on my permanent record. The same could happen to us as believers. If we try to use our own power or own authority for what Jesus is doing in us, we could end up like the Jews in Acts 19 that were pushing out evil spirits. Says in Acts 19:15-16 15(One day) the evil spirit answered them, "Jesus I know, and I know about Paul, but who are you?" 16Then the man who had the evil spirit jumped on them and overpowered them all. He gave them such a beating that they ran out of the house naked and bleeding.(NIV)" Demons are very real, active, are are at war with our Father. Only by his power can we take authority over them. Our own power will just not do it. We as believers should use this authority when needed, along with the other spiritual gifts God has blessed us with. I pray that God that he might humble me, not allow myself to use my own power, but the power he has blessed myself with through the Holy Spirit.
0 comments:
Post a Comment