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