JESUS SENDS OUT THE SEVENTY-TWO, Ron Ward
REASONS TO REJOICE
Passage: Luke 10:17~24  
Key verse: 20
17 The seventy-two(A) returned with joy and said, “Lord, even the demons submit to us in your name.”(B)
18 He replied, “I saw Satan(C) fall like lightning from heaven.(D) 19 I have given you authority to trample on snakes(E) 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.”(F)
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.(G) Yes, Father, for this is what you were pleased to do.
22 “All things have been committed to me by my Father.(H) 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.”(I)
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.”(J)
Cross references
Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV® Copyright ©1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.® Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.
Source:  BibleGateway
1. The seventy-two returned with joy (17-20)
The seventy-two had healed the sick and proclaimed the kingdom of God. They returned with joy and reported that even the demons submitted to them in Jesus' name. Jesus said that Satan's authority over people had been broken. The disciples had overcome all the power of the enemy. But their greatest reason to rejoice was not in what they had done for Jesus but what Jesus had done for them. They ought to rejoice because their names were written in heaven. Does your joy come from your salvation in Jesus?
2. Jesus, full of joy, prayed (21-24)
God the Father had given spiritual insight and victory to Jesus' disciples. They were not wise and learned. But they had genuine and simple faith in Jesus. They were devoted to him. Through Jesus they also knew God the Father. The disciples were more blessed than many prophets and kings because of what they saw and heard.
Prayer: Lord, thank you for saving me from my sins and writing my name in heaven. Help me to share the joy of your salvation with others.
One Word: Rejoice that your name is in heaven