The seventy-two returned with joy, saying, “Lord, even the demons are subject to us in your name!” And he said to them, “I saw Satan fall like lightning from heaven. 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. Nevertheless, do not rejoice in this, that the spirits are subject to you, but rejoice that your names are written in heaven.” (Luke 10:17-20)
The seventy-two that Jesus had sent out end up coming back from their trips in the same way that the twelve had come back from theirs, where we read about in Luke 9 – they come back and tell Jesus all about what they had done. This group was particularly joyful that even the demons were subject to them in Jesus’ Name, but Jesus responds with what He has seen and telling them not to rejoice in the fact that the spirits are subject to them, and instead He turns their attention to what they should be rejoicing at.
I don’t know about you, but coming face to face with a demon who has possessed a human being has never been light thing to experience. It can be rather intense, even with the knowledge that God is with us. And here in this situation, Jesus shares His experience of seeing satan fall from heaven and it was already known that He delivered many people from demon possession even just in His time on earth. Yet, He tells these people who are joyful at having authority over demons not to rejoice in it.
Why Not Rejoice in Authority Over Demons?
Jesus didn’t just tell them not to rejoice over demons being subject to them, He pointed them to what they should be rejoicing in, which is that their names are written in heaven. Jesus didn’t want their focus and rejoicing being on the power at work through them, He wanted their focus and rejoicing to be who they were IN HIM.
In Christ, we are made alive, we have been blessed with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places, and we can do great works as the Spirit works through us. But if our focus is on the WHAT, then our focus isn’t on the WHO. Not only that, but salvation is a gift from God so that no one can boast. Anything in this life can easily cause pride in feeling like we’re anyone of consequence, but we must remember that salvation is a gift, the ability to do good works is a gift, and we have no basis to boast about gifts given to us. We simply receive with gratitude and give glory to God.
Keeping Proper Perspective
If we keep our eyes focused on God, rejoicing in the God of our salvation and the fact that we are a saved, redeemed people who have abundant life in Christ who will one day be glorified in heaven with Him for eternity – the works we do here keep their proper perspective – they’re all done by Him and for His glory.
This doesn’t mean that you can’t have feelings of joy in seeing the works God does through you, but it does mean we shouldn’t dwell on the works. Instead, we should dwell on God Who has empowered us, Who has saved us, Who is sanctifying us, and Who is worthy of all praise and honor and glory.
When you do great things for the Lord, rejoice that you are saved and that you are being used by God, and praise Him, for He is good and His steadfast love endures forever!