Lesson 33- Back at ya! The Return of the 70/72, Luke 10:17- 40

Rejoicing in Salvation 10:17- 20

English Standard Version (Chapter 10)

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.”

Striking down the Subject Matter v.17

That would be the demons. They are subject to the servants and they are a subject of this sentence. The 72 have returned as happy, happy guys because they have finally seen amazing results over everything: “Lord, even the demons are subject to us in your name.” Obviously the gospel teams had seen proof of demonic activity and it fell subject to them-the 72. This means multiplied results many times over anything they had seen yet. They returned with joy. Let that sink in about ministry and having results and what that does to you. There is energy for sure.

Like Lightening v.18

Jesus was in place in time at the moment that Satan fell from heaven. The banishment had him fall faster than free fall. It was suddenly and quick. When God kicks you out, it will be suddenly, just as this was. His mercy endures forever but His tolerance for evil, wicked horseplay around the holy place is dealt with swiftly. Boom! I would imagine Satan had to have his jaw readjusted after getting whacked out of heaven. I can remember as a young child growing up. There were certain things that got dealt with suddenly, such as, sassing Mom or Dad. If that happened, you didn’t know what hit you. Boom- You are out of here Satan! Did I mention “like Lightening?”

Authority v.19

In the kingdom, authority is not handed out like bottles of water. The servants of God have it because they are of his family and household. It is something that “just is”, no doubt about it. Jesus has given authority to squash and not tread lightly on serpents and scorpions. It is also authority over all the power of the enemy because the evil one has sassed Dad. Nothing shall hurt you when you go after the enemy. Go boldly and go you must because the days are evil. The cross will soon be in view and the Messiah’s time on earth is dwindling. Whatever they do they mus do quickly.

The Rejoicing v.20

As exciting as all of this is: the spiritual victories, demon ejecting, serpent squashing, scorpion stomping, enemy subjecting, and injury avoidance, it does not measure up to the value of a soul! The rejoicing is all about your names being written in heaven! This is not the first time this has been revealed.

Moses said, in Exodus 32:32 And now if you will forgive their sin—and if not, please blot me from your scroll that you have written.”

David said in Psalm 69:28, 29  Let them be blotted out of the book of the living, and let them not be recorded with the righteous.

29 But as for me, though I am afflicted and pained, your salvation will protect me, O God.

W. Hall Harris III et al., eds., The Lexham English Bible (Bellingham, WA: Lexham Press, 2012), Ps 69:28–29.

W. Hall Harris III et al., eds., The Lexham English Bible (Bellingham, WA: Lexham Press, 2012), Ex 32:32.

The glory of all of this is that it is done in Jesus name vs.17! Jesus Christ our Lord, the man of the hour! Just speak the name and the whole room changes. Jesus is still the answer. If these demons are subject to us, then who can stand against us? We are more than conquerors through Him who loved us.

A Prayer to the Father 10:21, 22

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.”

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.”

The Holy Bible: English Standard Version (Wheaton, IL: Crossway Bibles, 2016), Luke 10:21–24.

Now we see Jesus rejoicing in the fullness of the Holy Spirit. I can imagine Him stopping everything and says this praise/prayer out loud. I’m believing that if you are rejoicing in the truth and work of Jesus, you are rejoicing in the Holy Spirit. It is a marvelous thing to give credit where credit is due. This even a deflection of some of the praise throughout the Godhead heaven of Father , Son, and Holy Spirit which are named here. The truth of the Trinity are in full view and full force. The thanksgiving speaks of the Father’s compassion and the wonder of our powerful Creator/Commander -in-Chief as Lord of Heaven and Earth.

The Revealing and Unveiling V.21

Jesus is showing us that perhaps the extent of their success as many teams came as a result of the Father and the Holy Spirit working in tandem working in response to the yearnings of the Son’s heart. He longed for His servants to be able to go where ever, when ever, who ever, and what ever and be victorious as they learn to use their gifts of the Spirit from above. The laborers are described as young children to whom much as been hidden and yet even now revealed. These things were even unseen or unheard of by the wise and intelligent.

The Source of Spiritual Knowledge vs.22

Jesus steps to the forefront in acknowledging his superior role in the lives of His Children and the things they will know. “All things” is a blanket statement of the kingdom, all creation on Earth as it is in heaven. This is an official action performed by the Father in the courts of heaven. The actual lifting of the veil from your eyes as to who the Father is, comes from the Son, and the same is what happens in regards to who the Son is, comes from the Father. It is going to happen to “anyone to whom the Son is pleased to reveal.”

Seeing and Hearing vs. 23, 24

Now from this small look into a private moment Jesus had with the Father and the Holy Spirit, we go quickly back to the disciples in private. Jesus tells them that this is a privileged situation. He tells them their eyes truly are blessed for the things they have seen. Bible truth and History has unfolded before them with many first time incidents of ministry. It is monumental. Prophets and kings would have loved to have taken their place, and I would say they would have paid a kings ransom to be there with them. Of course, God’s favor cannot be bought. It is by faith. Now he wraps this part up with the statement that the Kings and prophets would have more than wanted to just listen in on what Jesus was saying. It was better than radio, better than a history book, and better than a Holy Man’s preaching, just to be able to hear the actual voice of Jesus. Jesus is teaching and we are listening. Lord what would you have us to see and hear of all that you have in this kingdom. We marvel at the intense passionate moments that Jesus is having with the disciples.