‘Marvel at the Truly Miraculous’

Daily Devotional January 4th

“Don’t rejoice because evil spirits obey you; rejoice because your names are registered in heaven.” (Luke 10:20)

When we read about Jesus’ life on earth and His followers, we often focus on the twelve appointed apostles, but the fact of the matter is that Jesus had many more disciples that He was training up to do His Kingdom work. In Luke 8 we read that Jesus took the twelve as well as Mary Magdalene, Joanna, Susanna and other women who were financially supporting Jesus and His disciples (v.1-3) on a tour of ministry. In Luke 9, He sends out the twelve to minister, then in Luke 10, He does the same with another group of seventy-two disciples. Each group comes back amazed at what they have seen happen in the name of Jesus, “Lord, even the demons obey us when we use your name” (v.17)! They are understandably excited, but Jesus quickly corrects their focus for amazement. “Don’t rejoice because evil spirits obey you; rejoice because your names are registered in heaven.” Jesus Himself saw Satan fall from heaven like lightning—He is a defeated foe. The fact that the demons must submit themselves to the authority of the name of Jesus should not be cause for excitement; what is truly miraculous is that those who have been given this authority are set to take up residence in heaven.
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By redirecting His disciples’ cause for excitement, He is shifting their focus from what they have done in His name, to what He has done for them. It is a good lesson for us! How often do we become amazed at the things God chooses to do through us and take our focus off of the source of the authority we have been given. Jesus has been given all authority, so when we see things happen in His name we should not be surprised. What should cause us to marvel, however, is the fact that Jesus has made a way for us to enjoy a restored relationship with God Almighty. Even if we never witness a miraculous deliverance, restoration to good health or natural disaster inexplicably reversed, we as Christ-followers have experienced firsthand one of the greatest miracles available to humanity—God’s gracious forgiveness and adoption into His heavenly family!
~ Pastor Jane