The Name

Re:Verse passage – Luke 6:12–16; 8:1; 9:1–6; 10:1–17 (day three)

“The seventy-two returned with joy, saying, ‘Lord, even the demons are subject to us in your name!’” (Luke 10:17)

I used a verse (verse 18) following this scripture during my kids’ time last Sunday as we talked through how incredible Jesus is. The 72 disciples that were sent come back to Jesus to give a report of all they did, and their excitement is evident in their report. In verse 18, Jesus tells the astonished disciples that He was present for the time where Satan was expelled from heaven. That is truly remarkable when you stop to think about it. These 72 disciples got to see Jesus in a new way as the One whose name was powerful enough to make the enemies of God leave. Then Jesus revealed to them that He was there at the beginning when Satan rebelled and was punished for it.

I wonder what those 72 people felt when they heard this. I imagine they were filled with awe and possibly encouraged to do whatever Jesus told them. There was probably a profound sense of wonder at who this man Jesus really was. Were they spurred on to go back out and spread the news even more?

That same power is in us. That same name makes the darkness flee. That same understanding should spur us on to go and tell the news to whomever will listen. Who are you going to tell this week?