April 9, 2010

Leviticus 13
Luke 10:1-24
Growing up in Oklahoma, I experienced numerous electrical storms. I’ve lived in Oregon, North Carolina and three months in New Jersey. I’ve never lived anywhere that has such violent displays of electrical power such as in Ok. I love them. There is something about the atmosphere during those storms that is simply exhilarating! One night in the fall of ’94 my family and I sat on our porch in Norman and watched the lightning for almost half-an hour. The sky was constantly filled with streaks and sheets of lightning as it struck and shimmered throughout the whole sky. It was a beautiful display of power, a light show unequaled by any human-produced light show. The glory of Jesus is greater than lightning.
Jesus had chosen the 12 that they might be with Him and that He might send them out to deliver those in bondage, to heal the sick and to preach the presence of the Kingdom of God. Satan had ruled the world since the fall of Adam and Eve. Jesus came to reclaim His kingdom to destroy the works of the Evil One. Each of the 12 had ministered to others so that now they had 70 workers to accomplish another similar mission. (Now that’s multiplication in discipleship! Each of the 12 must have reached 4-5 others!) Jesus sent them out. Their mission was numerically, hugely successful. As they returned, they were overwhelmed with excitement as to what they had seen Jesus do through them. The demons had fled in Jesus’ name.
Jesus remarked on their return, “I saw Satan fall like lightning form heaven. Behold I give you authority. . .“ What an awesome thing that Jesus gives His authority to His servants to uproot the kingdom of darkness with power like that of lightning! It is a beautiful thing to see people set free from the bonds of the enemy of our souls. Jesus gives us the authority to do that! But then He gives a word of warning, “Do not rejoice in this, that the spirits are subject to you, but rather rejoice because your names are written in heaven.” I like seeing people set free. It is better than sitting on the porch in the evening and watching a violent electrical storm. It is like seeing lightning fall from heaven destroying the works of the enemy and creating new life in people. What an awesome display of power!
But Jesus’ warning implies that the greatest glory, the greatest power is displayed when we see Him work in our lives when He breaks the penalty and power of sin in our own lives enabling our names to be written in the book of Life in heaven. Thank you Lord for what You have done in me and enrolling me in the membership of the redeemed in heaven. Indeed Your glory is great! Indeed we serve a glorious King! Speak His glory to someone today!
--Pastor john