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LUKE - Christ, the Savior of the World
A Bible Study Course on the Gospel of Christ according to Luke

PART 4 - JESUS' MINISTRY DURING HIS JOURNEY TO JERUSALEM (Luke 9:51 - 19:27)

4. Jesus' Call of Joy Upon the Return of the Seventy (Luke 10:17-24)


LUKE 10:17-20
17 The seventy returned with joy, saying, “Lord, even the demons are subject to us in your name!” 18 He said to them, “I saw Satan having fallen like lightning from heaven. 19 Behold, I give you authority to tread on serpents and scorpions, and over all the power of the enemy. Nothing will in any way hurt you. 20 Nevertheless, don’t rejoice in this, that the spirits are subject to you, but rejoice that your names are written in heaven.”

The seventy disciples returned to Christ without being attacked by the wolves of the world. Even demons fled from those who were possessed when the disciples drew near them. The presence of Christ in his ministers is stronger and greater than all the powers of darkness. He who is under the Lord’s protection becomes a meek lamb, but stronger than the fierest wolves. Are you glad at the authority given to you in the name of Christ? Do you realize the triumph of the Son of God through his servants?

Christ limited the joy of his disciples that they might not rely on themselves in their triumph, but realize the power of the enemy and the greatness of their Lord. Because of Christ’s faithfulness in his behavior in the world, and his redemption on the cross, he prevailed over Satan and cast him down. Thus the disciples’ testimony prevailed against his power. Anyhow, beware, for the evil one is still on earth intending to destroy the children of God.

None of us is able to overcome the devil and the hosts of evil. Christ is the true God, and his glorious authority overcomes the world by meekness and humility. He who comes into the fellowship of the Son of God is freed from his own selfishness and from the power of the evil one. He can overcome the artful enemy in the name of Christ. The battle is fierce, and victory was won on the cross. Believe only and you will participate in Christ’s triumph. Ask your Lord to cast demons out of you and your friends, and be careful not to leave Christ’s fellowship lest the evil enemy gains control over you.

Christ says to you that the goal of the redemptive plan is not the result of your service, or your own fame, or any bright spiritual fruits, but God’s knowledge of you. He is your Father, and this is the essential fact. Your name is engraved on the tablet of God’s memory. He keeps you because of his faithfulness. The basis of our faith is not our competence and results of our service, but the knowledge that God is our Father. His righteousness is manifested in his children, and Christ’s power in his followers.


LUKE 10:21-24
21 In that same hour Jesus rejoiced in the Holy Spirit, and said, “I thank you, O 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 so it was well-pleasing in your sight.” 22 Turning to the disciples, he said, “All things have been delivered to me by my Father. No one knows who the Son is, except the Father, and who the Father is, except the Son, and he to whomever the Son desires to reveal him.” 23 Turning to the disciples, he said privately, “Blessed are the eyes which see the things that you see, 24 for I tell you that many prophets and kings desired to see the things which you see, and didn’t see them, and to hear the things which you hear, and didn’t hear them.”

When Christ saw God’s victory over the kingdom of Satan, he rejoiced in the Holy Spirit, for this was the plan for the coming of the Son of the Highest to the world: to destroy the works of Satan, deliver lost humans from their bonds, and bring them to the family of God. Christ magnified the name of his Father wholeheartedly, praised him as the Lord of heaven and earth who created everything by his grace, and manifested his authority over all creatures, small and great. God also manifested his authority to Christ’s helpers, for they believed in him and received his everlasting power and might. However the scribes, Pharisees, chief priests, philosophers, kings, and rulers recognized neither God nor his Son. This is the miracle: that man’s mind and experiences does not accept Christ spontaneously, but only through faith. He who commits himself into the hands of the Savior knows his glory in his humility and kindness. But he who does not lay aside his wordly pride and knowledge, or even his weak mind, does not know God who sent his Son to the world. He made his glorious self of no reputation to win the world by love, not by philosophy or the sword.

Because of his unselfish consideration of the needs of man and his selfdenial, God delivered all authority in heaven and earth to his Son. And as the Son gave his life a ransom for many, therefore his Father gave him all man-kind, earth, and universe altogether. Christ redeemed us to God by his blood, and we became his own. Capitalists and socialists without distinction deceive themselves supposing that the individual or nation can control the universe; for Christ alone is the Possessor of all things. His Father has delivered all things to him. All those who do not know God are going astray in their life.

But who knows God? None does, but the Son and the Holy Spirit, for they are one. Christ came to our world to tell us who God is, for the ancient name “God” is as a thick screen concealing the truth about the Highest. Do you know who God himself is? Christ taught us to say, “Our Father in heaven”. O heart, hold fast to this word. O mind, acknowledge this truth, for the Almighty is your Father, your spiritual Father. He is love, as deep as the ocean.

Whence do we know this revelation? We know it only in the person of Christ. Look at Jesus, and you will see God. No one can recognize Christ except by the Holy Spirit. No man calls God his Father except by the will of Christ. It is not your good deeds, contributions, or arguments that bring you near to God, but Christ’s plans alone. Our faith is a gift from the Benefactor, and not a deserved right.

Having glorified his Father, Christ blessed his disciples, for they saw God in flesh in his humility, and experienced his victory through his ministry. The kingdom of God began among them, and this was the great desire of the fathers of faith and faithful true prophets. For this purpose they suffered, cried, and were tortured. Now Christ, the divine King appeared among men, and his words were heard by all longing hearts, for God spoke to men in his Son, as a father to his children, and a brother to his brothers. Do you see God, and hear Christ?

PRAYER: O God, Trinity in unity, we worship to you, for we are not afraid of your hidden majesty, but come near you as children, and you are our Father. Your Son revealed your truth to us, and we believed his words, received the power and right to become your children. Please keep us in your presence, and deliver us from the evil one.

QUESTION 76: Why did Christ rejoice when his seventy helpers returned to him?

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