17 The
seventy-two returned with joy and said, “Lord, even the demons submit to us in
your name.”
18 He
replied, “I saw Satan fall like lightning from heaven. 19 I
have given you authority to trample on snakes and scorpions and to overcome all
the power of the enemy; nothing will harm you. 20 However, do
not rejoice that the spirits submit to you, but rejoice that your names are
written in heaven.” Our good deeds are just that. Good deeds, they are not
our key to salvation. And the only thing we can truly rejoice in is the
knowledge that Christ has overcome death and my name is written in His book of
life. I will never experience death.
21 At
that time Jesus, full of joy through the Holy Spirit, said, “I praise you,
Father, Lord of heaven and earth, because you have hidden these things from the
wise and learned, and revealed them to little children. Yes, Father, for this
is what you were pleased to do.
______________________________
John Burnett:
8 “When
you enter a town and are welcomed, eat what is offered to you.9 Heal the sick who are there and
tell them, ‘The kingdom of God has come near to you.’ 10 But when you enter a town and are
not welcomed, go into its streets and say, 11 ‘Even the dust of your town we
wipe from our feet as a warning to you. Yet be sure of this: The kingdom
of God has come near.’ 12 I
tell you, it will be more bearable on that day for Sodom than for that
town. Sodom was destroyed by fire from heaven so that gives you an idea of
what will happen to the towns who do not welcome the disciples.
13 “Woe
to you, Chorazin! Woe to you, Bethsaida! For if the miracles that were
performed in you had been performed in Tyre and Sidon, they would have repented
long ago, sitting in sackcloth and ashes. 14 But it will be more bearable for
Tyre and Sidon at the judgment than for you.15 And you, Capernaum, will you
be lifted to the heavens? No, you will go down to Hades.[a]
16 “Whoever
listens to you listens to me; whoever rejects you rejects me; but whoever
rejects me rejects him who sent me.” Woe to anyone is not a good thing
for that person or place. The amount of people who reject Jesus in this
world is scary. When He takes those of us who belong to Him home, the
rejectors will be easy to see. The sad part will be all of those who knew
the truth but never accepted the truth.
17 The
seventy-two returned with joy and said, “Lord, even the demons submit to
us in your name.” Jesus Christ is the most powerful name I know.
18 He
replied, “I saw Satan fall like lightning from heaven. 19 I have given you authority to
trample on snakes and scorpions and to overcome all the power of the
enemy; nothing will harm you. 20 However,
do not rejoice that the spirits submit to you, but rejoice that your names are
written in heaven.” He was there when Satan fell and He is the only one with
the power to overcome Satan. Here He reminds the disciples of what is
important and what we should be rejoicing in.
21 At
that time Jesus, full of joy through the Holy Spirit, said, “I praise you,
Father, Lord of heaven and earth, because you have hidden these things from the
wise and learned, and revealed them to little children. Yes, Father, for this
is what you were pleased to do. Thank you, dear Heavenly Father for
opening my eyes and revealing my need for you.
