S163P8 – The mind of Christ: humble power
Lk. 10:17-20
Then the seventy returned with joy, saying, “Lord, even the demons are subject to us in Your name.” And He said to them, “I saw Satan fall like lightning from heaven. Behold, I give you the authority to trample on serpents and scorpions, and over all the power of the enemy, and nothing shall by any means hurt you. Nevertheless do not rejoice in this, that the spirits are subject to you, but rather rejoice because your names are written in heaven.”
The king had invited many of the commoners to join his army, but not many of them accepted the invitation. Those who did were taught and trained not only in the art of military warfare but also in the ways of royalty. The assignment was not just to fight but to represent a kingdom by being part of its leadership. These soldiers were given authority over much, and some of them gloried in that power. They saw that place of authority as the reward of the position. It became their object of pride. The king, however, never meant for them to glory in their power. He meant for them to glory in being part of his kingdom.
When those sent out by Jesus in authority returned to tell of what they had accomplished, they were excited. The demons submitted to them in the name of Jesus, which certainly would have been incredible to behold. However, Jesus understands that power can corrupt. We also know from other scriptures that Jesus could perceive what was on someone’s heart, and I think He spoke these words for a specific reason here. The power given to these people to bind evil forces could not be the thing that drove them. Being part of God’s kingdom, being saved and having a guarantee of eternal life with the Lord, that is what should have driven them. This is really about understanding identity.
The question is whether God wants us to glory in what He allows us to do or what He allows us to be. We will accomplish great things for him in his name, but that is not why we follow him. The golden nugget at the end of this journey is resurrection to eternal life with God through Christ. Those things which we enjoy during this life because of the way He blesses us are not the end to which we work. We are to rejoice in the fact that we have been called to be a part of his kingdom and priesthood. God does not give us power and authority to make us proud. The point is to glorify him. Father, help us to have the right perspective and to glory in who You have called us to be instead of what You have called us to do.