What is our relationship with the Savior of the world??

Luke 10:17-24, ¹⁷ The seventy-two returned with joy and said, “Lord, even the demons submit to us in your name.”

¹⁸ He replied, “I saw Satan fall like lightning from heaven. ¹⁹ I have given you authority to trample on snakes and scorpions and to overcome all the power of the enemy; nothing will harm you. ²⁰ However, do not rejoice that the spirits submit to you, but rejoice that your names are written in heaven.”

²¹ At that time Jesus, full of joy through the Holy Spirit, said, “I praise you, Father, Lord of heaven and earth, because you have hidden these things from the wise and learned, and revealed them to little children. Yes, Father, for this is what you were pleased to do.

²² “All things have been committed to me by my Father. No one knows who the Son is except the Father, and no one knows who the Father is except the Son and those to whom the Son chooses to reveal him.”

²³ Then he turned to his disciples and said privately, “Blessed are the eyes that see what you see. ²⁴ For I tell you that many prophets and kings wanted to see what you see but did not see it, and to hear what you hear but did not hear it.”

In the gospel of Luke chapter 10 we read that the Lord Jesus sent out seventy two disciples(not apostles) in pairs of two. When Jesus selects the disciples he asks them to follow Him. Then He gives them instructions to go and spread word of God. The one common instruction given to all is to tell people(His sheep) about the kingdom of God/Heaven. In those early ages because of the passion of the twelve apostles who spread the word of God in the world, the word still continues to spread and transform lives.

Luke 10:9, ⁹ Heal the sick who are there and tell them, ‘The kingdom of God has come near to you.’

Romans 13:11-14, ¹¹ And do this, understanding the present time: The hour has already come for you to wake up from your slumber, because our salvation is nearer now than when we first believed. ¹² The night is nearly over; the day is almost here. So let us put aside the deeds of darkness and put on the armor of light. ¹³ Let us behave decently, as in the daytime, not in carousing and drunkenness, not in sexual immorality and debauchery, not in dissension and jealousy. ¹⁴ Rather, clothe yourselves with the Lord Jesus Christ, and do not think about how to gratify the desires of the flesh. Here we read Apostle Paul saying to us that if we clothe ourselves with Lord Jesus Christ then we should be aware of the same and not step into the waters of sin. Even a small child knows how to keep a new dress from spoiling in dirt and grime. We too are like that. Just think how much care we take of the clothes we wear when one day we need to abandon them all. Apostle Paul asks us to do away with the deeds of darkness and put on the armor of light(Jesus). One of the promises that the Lord made to us is I am the Light of the world. We should all introspect ourselves that do we lighten other lives with this light that is within us.

There was a beautiful emotional bonding between the apostles and the Lord. In Luke 10:17, we read that the disciples Jesus had sent returned back. they said to Him that we were able to sent away demons in your name. It is not just one or two Jesus had sent, but seventy two. It is not an easy task to lend an ear to each one of them. But our Lord Jesus Christ is patient and heard each one of them. Not just in olden days, Satan and his angels are present in today’s world as well. We children of God should not forget that. Having sent them ahead of Him, He kept an eye on His disciples. Luke 10:18, ¹⁸ He replied, “I saw Satan fall like lightning from heaven.” And then He replies to the happiness of His disciples that joy should not be found in the pleasures on earth but the joys of heaven. Luke 10:20, ²⁰ However, do not rejoice that the spirits submit to you, but rejoice that your names are written in heaven.”

Revelation 20:15, ¹⁵ Anyone whose name was not found written in the book of life was thrown into the lake of fire.

How joyous we are when we excel in an exam!! We happen to forget ourselves if we achieve international acclaim. Till date if a person happens to acquire a green card from America, he/she feels as if they’ve conquered the whole world. How much more joyful and valuable it is to see your name written in the book of life??? Dear children of God, just imagine. We have reached the gates of heaven after our death. Our Lord comes to receive us with His angels to the sounds of trumpets. Just like Jesus had selected apostle Paul, the others He selected too did not think twice before giving up their lives for Him. Who should we develop a deep bond with if not our Lord who gave up His life for our sins, as a price for our souls????

We often think what can we do??? Everyday, each one of us knowingly and unknowingly happens to do random acts of kindness. What seems trivial to us might be of immense value to someone else. Eg: when you offer words of comfort to someone who is hurting or in pain. When you encourage someone who is broken in spirit. Mark 9:41, ⁴¹ Truly I tell you, anyone who gives you a cup of water in my name because you belong to the Messiah will certainly not lose their reward.

Matthew 25:40, ⁴⁰ “The King will reply, ‘Truly I tell you, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me.’

Do we share our day with the Lord before we go to sleep each day??? Just think how happy He would be if we go to Him, instead of Him coming after us calling us by our names.

When Jesus sent the seventy two disciples, He had given them clear instructions about what to do. WE should be able to hand over each morning into the hands of the Lord Jesus Christ and pray that may your will be done.

Luke 10:21, ²¹ At that time Jesus, full of joy through the Holy Spirit, said, “I praise you, Father, Lord of heaven and earth, because you have hidden these things from the wise and learned, and revealed them to little children. Yes, Father, for this is what you were pleased to do. Lord Jesus Christ rejoiced in the Holy Spirit on hearing the words of His disciples when they returned. Our Lord expects the same from us also.

If grains are kept tied up inside a sack it gets destroyed after a period of time. But what if it is sowed in fertile soil??? In the same way our talents and gifts that the Lord has given us get destroyed when we do not put them in use for others. If we do not use our talents to use we too would have to hear from the Lord like the servant who dug a hole and hid the coin. Are you ready to hear????? Think and act.