March 17, 2023

Luke 10: 19, 20 “I have given you authority to trample on snakes and scorpions and to overcome all the power of the enemy; nothing will harm you.  However, do not rejoice that the spirits submit to you, but rejoice that your names are written in heaven.” (NIV)

We have authority to tread, not hold! We are to crush rather than cuddle.*

I wanted to share this passage today in honor of St. Patrick’s Day, because legend has it that he is responsible for banishing snakes from Ireland. As it turns out, though, there have never been snakes in Ireland.* The Bible, however, from Genesis to Revelation, is – ahem – crawling with snakes. Some biblical references to serpents are literal, some figurative. Which is it in this passage? I vote for figurative. I don’t think Jesus is concerned that Satan is going to use reptiles and insects to harm us. The snakes and scorpions are symbols of the subtle dangers in our path. Temptation is sneaky.

In this passage, Jesus is addressing the 72 disciples who had been sent out ahead of him, two by two, to the towns he was going to. They reported, with rejoicing, that even the demons were submitting to them in Jesus’ name (verse 17). Jesus says, “Yes. I have given you authority to overcome the enemy and nothing will harm you.” But then he issues a warning: Don’t let it go to your head. It’s all well and good for spirits to submit to you, but if you want something to rejoice about, rejoice that your names are written in heaven.

I have often wondered about people who rise to fame in ministry. When you are one of the rock stars of Christianity, how do you keep from becoming arrogant, proud, and shallow? I have a friend who was making a name for himself in Christian circles, so I asked him about it. He humbly admitted that it was hard. Not many months later, he left his ministry and his wife. I am happy to report that he and his wife reconciled soon after his crisis; and after a few years in another career, he has returned to the ministry God has called him to.

I think my friend, and others in his position, would do well to heed Jesus’ caution to his disciples. Do not rejoice that the spirits submit to you – or that your church has doubled in size in a year; or that your articles appear in Christian publications; or that you are in demand as a guest speaker or worship leader. Have you overcome a habit or an addiction? Are you no longer tempted by a formerly favorite sin? Good. It’s all good. Thank God for those things; but if you want something to rejoice about, rejoice that your name is written in heaven. Rejoice that the price for your sin has been paid in full. Rejoice in your salvation. That is what matters.

The deceitfulness of Satan and of our own hearts will lead us to focus on secondary issues.*