To read the texts click on the texts: Bar 4:4-12; Lk 10:17-24
Since
neither Matthew nor Mark narrates the rending of the seventy-two (10:1-12),
they do not have these verses (10:17-24), which narrate the return of the
seventy-two from Mission .
When the disciples who were filled with joy on their return report to Jesus
that even the demons submit to his name, the response of Jesus is to see the
fall of Satan and of his power, and to thank the Father for his graciousness.
Since
the disciples here confirm that the demons are cast out in the name of Jesus,
it follows that Satan’s rule is indeed coming to an end with the coming of
Jesus and the giving of his authority to his disciples. However, as far as the
disciples are concerned what is more important that Satan submitting to them is
the fact that their names are now recorded in the book of life.
The
thanksgiving to the Father is found also in Matthew 11:25-27 and is because God
has favoured not the wise and intelligent but the unlearned and revealed to
them the mysteries of the kingdom.
The
last two verses in which Jesus speaks of the blessedness of the disciples
(10:23-24) are found also in Matthew 16:16-17. The disciples are indeed in a
privileged position because they have been able to see and experience what
prophets and kings have not been privileged to see, namely the mighty works of
Jesus, which resulted in the fall of Satan and his kingdom.
The
results of our actions ought not to concern us as much as doing the action to
the best of our ability. If we are clear that it is God’s kingdom that we are
called to work towards and that he is the one who is finally in control, we
will be able to focus on what we have to do and not bother about what will
happen later.
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