The Results of Mission (Luke 10:17-24)
When the sent-out ones return from their mission, their interaction with Jesus is illuminating on several levels.
Firstly (vv.17-20), the disciples are excited at the results. They have succeeded! They realize that, through Jesus’s power, they have authority over the evil in the world. The were able to cast out demons and free oppressed people. Jesus speaks to this, talking about how Satan has been cast down. The powers of evil have been vanquished. The fight may still be ongoing, but the decisive blow is being dealt in the ministry of Jesus. However, Jesus teaches them that the power they have used is not the real reason for rejoicing. They should be continually grateful for their salvation from sin and evil. We too need to be reminded of this.
Jesus then proceeds to demonstrate this gratitude and rejoicing Himself. (vv. 21,22) He thanks the Father that salvation has come. Not just that, but that it has come not to the wise and understanding people of the world, but to these simple “babies.” It is always good to remind ourselves that it is not our knowledge that saves us. Simple belief, trust and obedience, is what God values. Understanding is not a bad thing. So long as it does not cause us to become prideful and to forget that we have not earned, nor discovered, our own way out of our mess.
Luke uses surprising language here, quoting Jesus. Verse 22 refers to the Son and the Father three times each. We see an intricate working out of God’s salvation plan involving both persons. If we consider the mention of the Spirit prompting Jesus’s words in verse 21, there is trinitarian imagery here.
Finally (vv. 23,24), Jesus helps the disciples see how privileged their position is. Beyond rejoicing over the power they have access to, or even perhaps their secure position in the Kingdom of God, they need to realize what they are living through. Prophets and kings throughout the Old Testament had anticipated and longed for the days of the coming Messiah. God is executing the pivotal part of His grand salvation plan. No one before or after these disciples would be in the position to see it play out first-hand. What a privilege!
Firstly (vv.17-20), the disciples are excited at the results. They have succeeded! They realize that, through Jesus’s power, they have authority over the evil in the world. The were able to cast out demons and free oppressed people. Jesus speaks to this, talking about how Satan has been cast down. The powers of evil have been vanquished. The fight may still be ongoing, but the decisive blow is being dealt in the ministry of Jesus. However, Jesus teaches them that the power they have used is not the real reason for rejoicing. They should be continually grateful for their salvation from sin and evil. We too need to be reminded of this.
Jesus then proceeds to demonstrate this gratitude and rejoicing Himself. (vv. 21,22) He thanks the Father that salvation has come. Not just that, but that it has come not to the wise and understanding people of the world, but to these simple “babies.” It is always good to remind ourselves that it is not our knowledge that saves us. Simple belief, trust and obedience, is what God values. Understanding is not a bad thing. So long as it does not cause us to become prideful and to forget that we have not earned, nor discovered, our own way out of our mess.
Luke uses surprising language here, quoting Jesus. Verse 22 refers to the Son and the Father three times each. We see an intricate working out of God’s salvation plan involving both persons. If we consider the mention of the Spirit prompting Jesus’s words in verse 21, there is trinitarian imagery here.
Finally (vv. 23,24), Jesus helps the disciples see how privileged their position is. Beyond rejoicing over the power they have access to, or even perhaps their secure position in the Kingdom of God, they need to realize what they are living through. Prophets and kings throughout the Old Testament had anticipated and longed for the days of the coming Messiah. God is executing the pivotal part of His grand salvation plan. No one before or after these disciples would be in the position to see it play out first-hand. What a privilege!
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