Luke 10:17-24, Finding Joy

Brent Kercheville

At the beginning of chapter 10 Jesus appointed 72 to go before him preaching that

the kingdom of God has come near. Every town and place where Jesus was about
to go these 72 went ahead of him proclaiming the coming of the kingdom. Now the
72 return and give a report to Jesus.

Power of Christ’s Kingdom

When the 72 return, they return with joy saying that even the demons were
subject to them in the name of Jesus Christ. This would be an exciting and joyous
time. Jesus has given these disciples authority to proclaim the kingdom message.
Even demons were cast out by Christ’s authority. They are joyful not just because
of they can cast out demons, but because of what it means.

“On that day there shall be a fountain opened for the house of David and the
inhabitants of Jerusalem, to cleanse them from sin and uncleanness. And on that
day, declares the LORD of hosts, I will cut off the names of the idols from the land,
so that they shall be remembered no more. And also I will remove from the land
the prophets and the unclean spirit.” (Zechariah 13:1–2)

Zechariah had promised that there would be a time when a fountain of salvation
was opened to cleanse people from their sins and impurity. At the same time the
unclean spirits would be removed from the land. Since the 72 were able to remove
the unclean spirits, the conclusion is that a fountain was opened to cleanse the
people of their sins. How exciting to see that cleansing of sins had come because
the demons were being cast out. The casting out of demons was a visible sign to
all that the kingdom of God had come near and forgiveness of sins was available.

Jesus responds to the disciples’ joy by saying that he saw Satan fall like lightning
from heaven. This is not a point of information. Jesus is not saying that a long
time ago at the beginning of time he saw Satan fall from heaven like lightning.
This is not talking about a time before the creation of the earth when Satan fell to
the earth. “Falling from heaven” is a metaphor in the scriptures to describe a ruler
experiencing a loss of power and rule.

“How you are fallen from heaven, O Day Star, son of Dawn! How you are cut down
to the ground, you who laid the nations low! (Isaiah 14:12 ESV)

Many, unfortunately, apply this scripture to Satan. But Isaiah is prophesying

against the king of Babylon. Notice the context of the passage.

When the LORD has given you rest from your pain and turmoil and the hard
service with which you were made to serve, you will take up this taunt against the
king of Babylon: (Isaiah 14:3–4 ESV)

The prophecy was simple. The king of Babylon was going to lose his rule and
authority. The imagery used to describe that loss is falling from heaven. Jesus is
saying that he saw Satan’s power over people decisively broken. The kingdom of
Christ has come and the demons being cast out was proof that Satan’s power was
broken by the power of Christ. Our world has been fascinated about demon
possession for many years. However, the scriptures are clear that Satan’s power
was broken in the days of Jesus. Demon possession cannot occur against one’s will
today like we read about in the days of Jesus’ life. That power of Satan has been
broken. Jesus uses the imagery of Satan falling like lightning from heaven to teach
this to his disciples.

Further, this great power has been delegated to the 72. Notice in verse 19 that
Jesus tells them that he gave them authority to tread on serpents and scorpions,
and over all the power of the enemy and nothing shall hurt you. This is also a
metaphor used in the scriptures to describe God’s protection. In Deuteronomy
8:15 similar language is used to describe God’s protection as he led the people of
Israel through the wilderness. The point Jesus is making is that when it comes to
Satan, these disciples have all authority to overcome.

Then Jesus says something very interesting in verse 20. There is even greater
rejoicing to be had. Don’t rejoice that the unclean spirits are subject to you.
Rejoice that your names are written in heaven. Rejoice in what God has done for
you. Eternal life is to be our deepest joy in Christ. This knowledge is the lasting joy
given to us that gets us through this life. Worldly joys are temporal. Physical
things bring a shallow, momentary happiness. Knowing that you have eternal life
brings true joy. Knowing that your names are written in heaven is the greatest
hope and greatest joy we can experience. If you want to truly have peace, peace
is found by knowing that it does not matter what happens to you in this world. You
know that you are with God and have eternal life.

Jesus Rejoices

In the same hour Jesus rejoices in the Holy Spirit. Jesus is finding satisfaction and
joy in God’s will being fulfilled. We can see this is what it means for Jesus to
rejoice in the Spirit because of the words he prays in verse 21. Notice how the
verse ends, “For such was your gracious will.” God’s will is being done before the
very eyes of these disciples. We must consider what we find the most personal
satisfaction in. In what do you find your greatest joy? Jesus rejoiced at seeing
God’s will being done. Our satisfaction must be found in the will of God being
accomplished. There is great satisfaction in participating in reaching out to the
world with the gospel. There is great satisfaction when a lost soul is saved. Lasting
satisfaction isn’t found in sports, possessions, wealth, or anything else in this life.

Notice that Jesus’ rejoicing is expressed in thanksgiving to the Father. Our joy
must be expressed by giving God our thanks for being part of God’s plan and
purposes. How often we forget to express our joy to God. We forget to be thankful
to God when our prayers are answered. We petition God so fervently yet lose our
fervor when our prayers are answered. Many of the psalms are beautiful poems of
praising God for what he has done. We must never lose our heart of thankfulness.
Part of Jesus’ thanks is that these great truths and joy about the kingdom have
been hidden from the wise and understanding but have revealed them to little
children. Again, Jesus is using a metaphor to thank God that what God is doing in
his purpose can be understood by the simple. The wise seem to miss the great
truths of God. The religious establishment seems to miss the great truths of God.
You do not need special knowledge to understand the scriptures. You do not need
someone to explain to you God’s purpose. God has revealed himself in such a way
that all people can understand. There is so often a power play made today in
every arena of life. Politicians want you to think they know more than you.
Employers want you to think they know more than you. Religious leaders and
teachers what you to think that they know more than you. God says that you can
know for yourself. It was God’s gracious will to reveal himself to all people, not
just the rich or the wise or the powerful. All people have access to this great
kingdom of Christ.

Jesus further points out how you can receive this knowledge. Jesus said that all
things had been given to him by the Father. He describes the intimate relationship
that the Father and Son have. Only the Father knows the Son. Only the Son knows
the Father. But then Jesus says, “And anyone to whom the Son choose to reveal
him.” The Son knows the Father and you cannot know God without listening to the
Son. The Son reveals the Father. You must know Jesus to know God. Everyone
today wants to bypass Christ and think that they are spiritual and have a
relationship with God. Jesus tells us that this is improper thinking. It is not
possible to have a relationship with God without Jesus. You must obey Jesus and
listen to Jesus’ words to know God.

Joy To See The Kingdom’s Arrival

Finally, Jesus concludes by speaking privately to his disciples. “Blessed are the
eyes that see what you see! For I tell you that many prophets and kings desired to
see what you see, and did not see it, and to hear what you hear, and did not hear
it.” (Luke 10:23–24 ESV)

Those disciples were living in a special time. The people of the Old Testament were
looking forward to the day when the Messiah would arrive and bring his kingdom.
They desired to see what these disciples were seeing. They wanted to hear what
they were hearing. Think about the privileged position we are in. We also have
been able to hear the great words of Jesus, words that those who lived long ago
earnestly desired to hear. We must appreciate how we can hold in our hands the
revealed word of God that shows us how to come to the Father. We have the word
of God that tells us we have access to his kingdom and can belong to the family of
God. Everyone who lived during the days of Christ and after Christ’s resurrection
have the blessing of seeing unfolding of God’s wisdom.

Conclusion

The world seeks joy in all the wrong places. From partying to seclusion people
have tried to find lasting joy in this world only to fail. Lasting joy can only be found
in Christ. Notice what the scriptures have taught us about finding joy. First, take
joy knowing that your name is written in heaven. Second, there is joy in seeing
God’s purpose being fulfilled and being an instrument in that process. Third, there
is joy in knowledge of God’s will and understanding the salvation that has been
made available for all people.