Knowing The Word in Luke 10, 17-24, Jesus Sends Out the 72

How long were the 72 away on mission? We do not know, but we do know the success of their mission brings them deep joy. There are two possible meanings when Jesus says he saw Satan fall like lightning. First, Satan receives a notable defeat in the work of these men. Second, the pre-incarnate Jesus saw Satan fall and is warning his disciples not to be too proud of their success. The former is the most likely interpretation. When engaged in the mission of Jesus, they will be safe. Jesus turns their attention to lasting realities, that their names are written in heaven.

The next section is a “Johannine bolt from the Synoptic blue!”—meaning Luke writes more like John in this section than like Matthew and Mark. Jesus has received revelation from the Father, leading him to a prayer of thanksgiving. Verse 22 in particular is Johannine in its wording, giving credit to the style of John’s Gospel as being consistent with the way Jesus spoke. People can only truly know God through Jesus who chooses to whom he will reveal the fullness of the Father. But of course in Jesus—in his words and deeds—we see the fullness of the Father. The long-expected Messiah has been revealed to these men and they are blessed.

17 The seventy-two returned with joy, saying, “Lord, even the demons are subject to us in your name!” 18 And he said to them, “I saw Satan fall like lightning from heaven. 19 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. 20 Nevertheless, do not rejoice in this, that the spirits are subject to you, but rejoice that your names are written in heaven.”

21 In that same hour he rejoiced in the Holy Spirit and said, “I thank you, Father, Lord of heaven and earth, that you have hidden these things from the wise and understanding and revealed them to little children; yes, Father, for such was your gracious will. 22 All things have been handed over to me by my Father, and no one knows who the Son is except the Father, or who the Father is except the Son and anyone to whom the Son chooses to reveal him.”

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

Prayer:

Strong Son of God, immortal Love,

Whom we, that have not seen thy face,

By faith, and faith alone, embrace,

Believing where we cannot prove;

Thine are these orbs of light and shade;

Thou madest life in man and brute;

Though madest death; and lo, thy foot

Is on the skull which thou hast made.

Thou wilt not leave us in the dust:

Thou madest man, he knows not why,

He thinks he was not made to die;

And thou hast made him: thou art just.

Thou seemest human and divine,

The highest, holiest manhood, thou:

Our wills are ours, we know not how;

Our wills are ours, to make them thine.

Our little systems have their day;

They have their day and cease to be:

They are but broken lights of thee,

And thou, O Lord, art more than they.

Lord Alfred, Tennyson, 1809-1892