"Counting Blessings" August 7 Readings: Luke 10

 

Reading the Bible Chronologically in 2022

This year, instead of reading from Genesis to Revelation, we will read the Bible as the story flows, as it happened and was written. There are several plans out there and I have worked to combine them into a plan that lets the Bible tell its own story "as it happened." Remember, the Bible is inspired, but not in the order the books appear in our Bibles. The Old Testament is approximately 3/4 of the Bible, but I have divided it so that we will spend half the year in the OT, and half the year in the NT. 

Bible Readings:  Luke 10  

Background:   

Israel's failing, since the very beginning of their existence, had been their failure to understand that when God chose them to be his people it imposed on them a burden to be a blessing to the world. They thought God called them to himself because they were special and he loved them more. He called them to use them as a blessing to others. God chooses his people to channel his blessings through them to the world. 

Jesus was determined that his disciples would know better. He sent out the disciples and here he sent out another 72 disciples - six times the original 12. They were sent on mission because when anyone follows Christ they are meant not only to receive a blessing but to serve Christ as a channel of his blessings to the world. 

There are two other stories in this chapter. The second, the parable of the Good Samaritan, continues Jesus' definition of his gospel and his call to service. The story of Mary and Martha, a favorite of mine, shows the importance of worship and devotion, not just hard work and service. 

As the gospel of Luke and the story of Christ goes on, he continues to push toward the end of his ministry and draw the line for his followers. This is who I am, this is what my kingdom is, and this is what my followers must be. As he drew the line, many turned away, many religious leaders got offended, and a few followed him with all their hearts. 

Daily Devotional:  Counting Blessings

The seventy-two disciples of Jesus returned from their travels, having been sent out by their master and empowered by him. They were breathless with excitement on their return, rejoicing that, "Even the demons are subject to us in your name." (Luke 10:17.) Heady stuff. To be able to speak to people who are under the control of the forces of darkness, and to have those demonic beings obey your commands - that is no small thing. They were amazed and excited at the new power that they were experiencing.

But Jesus wanted them to keep things in perspective. It is easy for us to see things from a skewed perspective, a human viewpoint that fails to see things as God sees them. Jesus made it clear that there was something much more important than the fact that demons fled before them.

I saw Satan fall like lightning from heaven. 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. Luke 10:18-19

Defeating Satan was nothing new for Jesus Christ. He was there when after the first tragic rebellion Satan was cast from glory to earth. He defeated him at the beginning and had done so repeatedly since. And he had, indeed, granted authority and power to his disciples over all the works of the enemy.

But that was not the greatest reason that a believer ought to rejoice. There was a greater work that God was doing among them than simply giving them the ability to defeat demons.

Nevertheless, do not rejoice in this, that the spirits are subject to you, but rejoice that your names are written in heaven. Luke 10:20

Greater than the blessing of power over demons is the joy of knowing that we have an eternal home in heaven, that our destiny is settled, our sins are forgiven and we have been reconciled with God. We ought never to become so enamored with that which God gives us and that which he does for us that we forget that the greatest gift of God is himself! It is not about how many demons we can defeat but the great privilege of knowing God and walking with Jesus Christ his Son! 

The fact that we are part of the heavenly family is a privilege far greater than any of the other blessings we receive through our relationship with Christ, even though those blessings are many and great. None can compare with the simple joy of belonging to God, of being part of the family, of having your name written eternally in heaven - in indelible ink. 

Thank you, Lord, for writing my name in heaven in Blood of your Son. No greater privilege exists for a sinner like me than to know my place in your family is secure because of what you have done for me. 

Consider God's Word:

Do you seek Jesus for things he does for you, or for the simple joy of knowing Jesus? 

Do you revel in and worship God for your eternal or temporal blessings?