Rejoice That Your Name Is Written In Heaven, Remembering The Harvest Is Great And Labourers Few - Part 2401

“That good thing which was committed unto thee keep by the Holy Ghost which dwelleth in us ...” (II Timothy 1:14)

Jesus said, “Notwithstanding in this rejoice not, that the spirits are subject unto you; but rather rejoice, because your names are written in heaven." In that same hour Jesus rejoiced in Spirit, and said, “I thank Thee, O Father, Lord of heaven and earth, that Thou hast hid these things from the wise and prudent, and hast revealed them unto babes: even so, Father; for so it seemed good in Thy sight. All things are delivered to Me of My Father: and no man knows who the Son is, but the Father; and who the Father is, but the Son, and [He] to whom the Son will reveal [Him].” (Luke 10:20-22)

For context herein, the Lord Jesus was initially teaching the brethren about discipleship. In particular, Jesus was teaching those listening -- to follow Him. Luke cites three examples of individuals who quickly express a desire to follow Jesus. The first tells Jesus -- "Lord, I will follow Thee whithersoever Thou goest." But the other two had to take care of other responsibilities first. When this dialogue was occurring, note that Jesus had just finished saying, "Foxes have holes, and the birds of the air have nests, but the Son of man hath not where to lay [His] head." (Luke 9:58) Jesus concludes this particular teaching by saying, "No man, having put his hand to the plough, and looking back, is fit for the Kingdom of God." (Luke 9:62)

Moving forward then into Luke 10, Jesus appoints another seventy disciples, sending them two and two before His face, into every city and place where Jesus planned to go. He said unto them, "The harvest truly [is] great, but the labourers are few: pray ye therefore the Lord of the harvest, that He would send forth labourers into His harvest. Go your ways: behold, I send you forth as lambs among wolves. Carry neither purse, nor scrip, nor shoes: and salute no man by the way. And into whatsoever house ye enter, first say, "Peace be to this house." And if the Son of peace be there, your peace shall rest upon it: if not, it shall turn to you again. And in the same house remain, eating and drinking such things as they give: for the labourer is worthy of his hire.

Go not from house to house. And into whatsoever city ye enter, and they receive you, eat such things as are set before you: and heal the sick that are therein, and say unto them, "The kingdom of God is come nigh unto you." But into whatsoever city ye enter, and they receive you not, go your ways out into the streets of the same, and say, "Even the very dust of your city, which cleaves on us, we do wipe off against you: notwithstanding be ye sure of this, that the kingdom of God is come nigh unto you. But I say unto you, that it shall be more tolerable in that day for Sodom, than for that city." (Luke 10:1-12; Matthew 10:7-15)

In studying comparable scriptural passages further, note that earlier, Jesus had given His twelve disciples the same message -- but to go to the lost sheep of the house of Israel (not the Gentiles or the city of the Samaritans) and as ye go, preach, saying, "The Kingdom of Heaven is at hand." Heal the sick, cleanse the lepers, raise the dead, cast out devils, freely ye have received, freely give. Provide neither gold nor silver nor brass in your purses, nor scrip for your journey, neither two coats, neither shoes, nor yet staves; for the workman is worthy of his meat." (Matthew 10:1-14; Acts 13:51-52)

Going full circle, Jesus later asks these same disciples, "When I sent you without purse, and scrip, and shoes, lacked ye any thing?" What was the disciples response? "Nothing!" (Luke 22:35) Read the disciples response again -- Jesus' disciples lacked nothing. NOTHING! Why? Because as Jesus said, the workman is worthy of his meat.

There is also a notable time difference that had lapsed between the initial instruction for the disciples to go forth and Jesus later asking them if they lacked anything. I have to wonder if the disciples (like us) needed the passage of time - an opportunity to look back upon their/our lives to fully acknowledge the Lord's faithfulness in all things. Regardless, the disciples confirmed that they lacked nothing when they went out preaching -- the Kingdom of Heaven is at hand.

A second point worth observing is that when the disciples decided to follow Jesus as both Lord and Christ in their hearts, they had to first leave their nets behind. Like the first man in the example above, who stated, "Lord, I will follow Thee whithersoever Thou goest."

A third point worth sharing is that when the disciples were welcomed into a house, these were to heal the sick within, confirming, "The Kingdom of Heaven is at hand."

Indeed, Jesus gave the disciples power "to tread on serpents and scorpions, and over all the power of the enemy; and nothing shall by any means hurt you. Notwithstanding in this rejoice not that the spirits are subject unto you; but rather rejoice, because your names are written in Heaven." (Luke 10:19-20)

In other words, don't forget the harvest that is still awaiting the time that someone tells them of the wonder and awe of the Lord Jesus, His goodness and mercy and grace. As written in Titus, "after the kindness and love of God our Saviour toward man appeared ..." (Titus 3:4-7)

In concluding, note that it must have been a really good message for the disciples to take in because afterward, Jesus rejoices! And turning to His disciples, Jesus says privately, "Blessed are the eyes which see the things you see; for I tell you, that many prophets and kings have desired to see those things which ye see, and have not seen them, and to hear those things which ye hear, and have not heard [them]." (Luke 10:23-24)

Thus we should be rejoicing likewise: "Rejoice in the Lord alway: and again I say, "Rejoice." Let your moderation be known unto all men. The Lord is at hand. Be careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God. ..." (Philippians 4:4-9)

Paul and Silvanus, and Timotheus reaffirm Jesus' teaching herein when writing unto the church of the Thessalonians -- to "pray for us, that the Word of the Lord may have free course, and be glorified, even as [it is] with you: and that we may be delivered from unreasonable and wicked men; for all have not faith ... but the Lord is faithful, who shall establish you, and keep you from evil." (II Thessalonians 3:1-3)

On another day, we will tackle what happens to those cities that reject you because of the Lord Jesus dwelling within. Yes, so much more to share, but for this day, know that the Lord Jesus is forever faithful to those who love Him with all their heart, soul, mind, and strength. (Deuteronomy 4:6; Mark 12:29-31)

That good thing which was committed unto thee, keep by the Holy Ghost which dwells within us.

Stand in the offering plate.