The Seventy-Two Return
TRANSLATION
(17) The seventy-two returned with joy saying, “Lord, even the demons submit to us in your name.” (18) He replied, “I saw Satan fall like lightning from heaven. (19) Behold, I have given you authority to trample on snakes and scorpions and to overcome the power of the enemy, and nothing will harm you in any way. (20) Nevertheless, do not rejoice that the spirits submit to you, but rather rejoice that your names are written in heaven.”
(21) At that same time Jesus rejoiced in the Holy Spirit praying, “I thank you, Father, Lord of heaven and earth, that you have hidden these things from the wise and learned and have revealed them to little children. Yes, Father, for this is what you are pleased to do. (22) All things have been handed over to me by my Father. No one knows who the Son is except the Father, and no one knows who the Father is except the Son and those to whom the Son chooses to reveal him.” (23) And 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.”
OBSERVATIONS
Luke described the success the seventy-two enjoyed in their ministry and the triumph over the kingdom of evil this represented to the Lord who sent them out. In the first paragraph, there were several references to Satan and his cohorts: “demons” (vs. 17), “Satan” (vs. 18), “serpents and scorpions…power of the enemy” (vs. 19), and “the spirits” (vs. 20). In the second paragraph, the members of the Trinity were in focus: “Holy Spirit” (vs. 21), “Father” (mentioned five times in vss. 21 & 22), and “Son” (referenced twice in vs. 22). “Reveal(ed)” was repeated (vss. 21 & 22). Finally, Jesus emphasized the senses of sight and hearing (vss. 23 & 24).
OUTLINE
I. Jesus’ power to overcome the enemy brought joy to all who took part in his ministry. (17-20)
II. Jesus prayed for those who had served with him and blessed them for their efforts. (21-24)
IDEA STATEMENT
As we share in the ministry of the Gospel, we rejoice in taking part in the great work our Savior is doing to overcome the enemy and build his Church.
APPLICATION
Paul summarized the centrality of the Gospel in the opening of his Epistle to the Romans: “For I am not ashamed of the Gospel, for it is the power of God for salvation to everyone who believes…” (Rom. 1:16). Jesus had just sent out the seventy-two to prepare the way for his coming. Some responded favorably while others rejected the offer. For those who refused to welcome the Good News, Jesus pronounced a sentence of severe judgment.
Upon their return Jesus encouraged the seventy-two by revealing to them what their ministry had meant in terms of the spiritual warfare he had been waging with his archenemy, Satan, and his hosts. In his prayer to the Father, Lord of heaven and earth, he helped his disciples understand the relationships within the Trinity as he rejoiced in the Holy Spirit and described his ministry as accomplishing what the Father had sent the Son to do. In essence, when we, as Jesus’ disciples, participate in proclaiming the Gospel in the power of God, the Holy Spirit, we are sharing in the great work of redemption which God the Father has purposed to accomplish from eternity past and will bring to consummation when God the Son returns. What a privilege is ours to understand and take part in an endeavor so grand and earth-changing!