Conclusion Of Jesus Sends Out The 70

The preaching by the 70 and Jesus' follow-up work last a relatively short time. Soon the 35 teams of Kingdom preachers begin returning to Jesus. "Lord," they say joyfully, "even the demons are made subject to us by the use of your name." Such a fine service report surely thrills Jesus, for he responds: "I began to behold Satan already fallen like lightning from heaven. Look! I have given you the authority to trample underfoot serpents and scorpions."

Jesus knows that after the birth of God's Kingdom at the time of the end, Satan and his demons are to be cast out of heaven. But now this casting out of unseen demons by mere humans serves as added assurance of that coming event. Therefore, Jesus speaks of the future fall of Satan from heaven as an absolute certainty. Hence, it is a symbolic sense that the 70 are given authority to trample serpents and scorpions. Yet, Jesus says: "Do not rejoice over this, that the spirits are made subject to you, but rejoice because your names have been inscribed in the heavens."

Jesus is overjoyed and publicly praises his Father for using these humble servants of his in such a powerful way. Turning to his disciples, he says: "Happy are the eyes that behold the things you are beholding. For I say to you, many prophets and kings desired to see the things you are beholding but did not see them, and to hear the things you are haring but did not hear them." Luke 10:1-24; Matthew 10:1-42; Revelation 12:7-12.

Next time: A Neighborly Samaritan

The Greatest Man Who Ever Lived, 1991