Following after Jesus #80

Yesterday, we talked about how the apostles, long after they had been empowered by Jesus to preach, heal and cast out demons, found themselves lacking, and began to compare themselves to others, to argue over who was the greatest. Jesus solved the argument by taking a child in His arms and focusing on him. Later on Jesus makes a similar comparison in a bigger way:

Luke 10:17 The seventy-two returned with joy, saying, “Lord, even the demons are subject to us in your name!” 18 And he said to them, “I saw Satan fall like lightning from heaven. 19 Behold, I have given you authority to tread on serpents and scorpions, and over all the power of the enemy, and nothing shall hurt you. 20 Nevertheless, do not rejoice in this, that the spirits are subject to you, but rejoice that your names are written in heaven.” 21 In that same hour he rejoiced in the Holy Spirit and said, “I thank you, Father, Lord of heaven and earth, that you have hidden these things from the wise and understanding and revealed them to little children; yes, Father, for such was your gracious will. 22 All things have been handed over to me by my Father, and no one knows who the Son is except the Father, or who the Father is except the Son and anyone to whom the Son chooses to reveal him.”

Jesus had sent out not only the twelve, but six times that many. They came back giving even greater reports than the twelve had. Jesus said "Great! But don't get things out of perspective. Greater yet is the fact that God has given you opportunity to know Him, and to have the assurance of your place in heaven." Stop and think about the Apostles here.  All of a sudden they may have felt less "special." They were not the only ones being sent out by Jesus; they might have felt more reason to vie for a place of greatness. But Jesus' words and God's will do not allow that.  God's will is humble service, viewing oneself as a child, as God's child, and Jesus as the One through Whom all authority flows.  The apostles, the seventy-two, and we as well need to rejoice in knowing God and His grace in Christ more than anything else. Rest in that.