35 lines
1.7 KiB
Markdown
35 lines
1.7 KiB
Markdown
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title = "Luke 10:17–24"
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date = "2022-12-06"
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### [Read the passage.](https://biblia.com/bible/esv/Lk10.17-24)
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However long they were gone, the seventy(-two) disciples returned to Jesus
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filled with joy because they had exercised authority over supernatural beings.
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Jesus responds with a cryptic statement about Satan falling from heaven. There
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is a sliding scale between literal and metaphorical in how it should be
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interpreted, and there are not a lot of clues on where on the scale we should
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fall. In the context of the disciples' return, somewhere towards the
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metaphorical end seems more likely. Satan probably wasn't exiled from heaven at
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that time because of the disciples' mission, but describing a defeat or foiling
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of schemes this way sounds plausible.
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Jesus informs the disciples that they have been given authority over the power
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of the enemy, but they are not torejoice in it. This is to keep them from being
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proud and taking this authority for granted. Second Peter and Jude both have
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verses about not reviling angelic majesties, which is what false teachers and
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charlatan faith healers do when they act like they can order demons around.
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Instead, we are to rejoice that our names are written in heaven, for then we
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are safe from all danger, ultimately. For then even if we die, we win.
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Jesus is then moved by the Holy Spirit to praise the Father for hiding these
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truths from those who think they know but also revealing His will to those who
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otherwise had no chance at knowing. We who have heard God's Word are blessed to
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receive it not because we deserve to, but because He chose to give it to us
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despite our undeservedness.
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* * *
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Your ways are higher than our ways, and we are sheltered under Your wings.
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