July 7, 2019
Pentecost 4 - Proper
9
Luke 10:20
“Your Name
has been written”
“Nevertheless,
do not rejoice in this, that the spirits are subject to you, but rejoice that your
names are written in heaven.”
Deliver us, O
God, from our little fears, and spoil for us - whatever confidence we have left
in anything but Thy victory. Amen[1]
Jesus sends out
seventy-two of His followers to proclaim that the Kingdom of God has come. Christ's
kingdom goes beyond the narrow boundaries of Jerusalem, and Judea. It extends
to all the nations of the world. This mission has serious implications. - The
last days of Old Testament prophecy have broken into this present age. The
mission, as always, is a harvest of souls.
How did this mission go? How did they fare? They were
successful! The seventy-two returned with joy, saying, “Lord, even the demons are subject to us in your name!” As Jesus commands the demons to obey Him so
these ambassadors went forth under the same authority.
Jesus had equipped them for the mission. “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.” So, they rejoice. In their success of healing and exorcism.
Jesus gives His endorsement and approval. “I saw Satan fall like lightning from heaven.”
Then, He gives this divine perspective. “Nevertheless,
do not rejoice in this, that the spirits are subject to you, but rejoice that your
names are written in heaven.”
These words of the Savior are an encouragement for
you. “Rejoice that your name is written
in heaven.” Don't rejoice simply that demons are subject to you – but
rejoice that you are washed in the blood of Jesus; that you are redeemed and
saved; that your name is written down in heaven!
Rejoice in your salvation. – Rejoice in what Jesus has
done for you. He saved you. Peter explains this truth – “Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! By His great mercy,
He has given us new birth into a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus
Christ from the dead… Baptism now
saves you. Not as a removal of dirt from the body but as an appeal to God for a
good conscience, through the resurrection of Jesus Christ, who has gone into
heaven and is at the right hand of God, with angels, authorities, and powers
subject to Him.” -1 Peter 1:3; 3:21-22
“He saved us,
not by the righteous deeds we had done, but according to His mercy, through the
washing of new birth and renewal by the Holy Spirit.” – Titus 3:5
“According to
His mercy He saved you.” What is mercy? Not getting what you deserve.
“For by grace
are you saved.” says St. Paul. [Ephesians 2:8-9] What is
grace? Receiving what you do not deserve. Both – mercy and grace come from the
Savior’s loving nail pierced hand. They are gifts for you. Cherish them.
The Lord looking at you through the eye of mercy and grace
is not new thought. The Psalmist would simply say, “Precious in the sight of the LORD is the death of his saints… He will
rescue them from oppression and violence and precious shall their blood be in
his sight.” (Psalm 116:15; 72:14)
You are precious to the Lord, because of the precious blood
of Jesus. Thus Peter could say, “knowing that you were ransomed from the
futile ways inherited from your forefathers, not with perishable things such as
silver or gold, but with the precious blood of Christ, like that of a lamb
without blemish or spot.” 1 Peter 1:18-19
A common crook. Condemned to die. - By crucifixion. Because
of his offenses of theft and fraud. Would simply ask, “Jesus remember me when you come into Your kingdom.” To which Jesus replied,
“Today you will be with me in paradise.”
(Luke 23:43-44)
God will not
forget about you. The words you hear
in absolution, at His communion table, in His word written and proclaimed – “All of your sins have been forgiven by
Christ the crucified.” God is speaking
to each of you - "Your name is written
in heaven!” Rejoice!
_____________
Words – 735
Passive Sentences –0%
Readability – 76.6%
Reading Level- 5.4
[1]
Collect for Friday of the week of Pentecost 4, For All the Saints A Prayer Book
For and By the Church Vol.II © 1995 American Lutheran Publicity Bureau, Delhi,
NY
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