I thank You, Father, Lord of heaven and earth, that You have hidden these things from the wise and prudent and revealed them to babes

Then the seventy returned with joy, saying, "Lord, even the demons are subject to us in Your name." And He said to them, "I saw Satan fall like lightning from heaven. Behold, I give you the authority to trample on serpents and scorpions, and over all the power of the enemy, and nothing shall by any means hurt you. Nevertheless do not rejoice in this, that the spirits are subject to you, but rather rejoice because your names are written in heaven."

In that hour Jesus rejoiced in the Spirit and said, "I thank You, Father, Lord of heaven and earth, that You have hidden these things from the wise and prudent and revealed them to babes. Even so, Father, for so it seemed good in Your sight. All things have been delivered to Me by My Father, and no one knows who the Son is except the Father, and who the Father is except the Son, and the one to whom the Son wills to reveal Him."

Then He turned to His disciples and said privately, "Blessed are the eyes which see the things you see; for I tell you that many prophets and kings have desired to see what you see, and have not seen it, and to hear what you hear, and have not heard it."

- Luke 10:17-24

In yesterday's reading, we read of Jesus' appointment of the Seventy disciples. These are in addition to those whom we know as the Twelve Apostles, and the Seventy have been sent out as missionaries just as the twelve were. Jesus gives them detailed instructions of how to proceed on this missionary journey - they are to proceed in all humility, and the example still stands for us today. They are to tell all, even those places that reject them, that "The kingdom of God has come near to you."

Then the seventy returned with joy, saying, "Lord, even the demons are subject to us in Your name." And He said to them, "I saw Satan fall like lightning from heaven. Behold, I give you the authority to trample on serpents and scorpions, and over all the power of the enemy, and nothing shall by any means hurt you. Nevertheless do not rejoice in this, that the spirits are subject to you, but rather rejoice because your names are written in heaven." The "power of the enemy" is represented symbolically in "serpents and scorpions" which are, in my opinion, meant to refer to images of demons. There is an unseen battle going on, a spiritual battle for the hearts and souls of people. It all depends on what destructive things we are subject to, vulnerable to; as human beings we may be vulnerable to many influences, especially in loneliness. But the power He brings is the power over the enemy and the enemy's destructive influence to human beings. Jesus' ministry is one of healing, restoring, saving. But the greatest gift He brings is not this power over the enemy; it is in fact the gift of the kingdom of heaven, the gift of salvation, and life in abundance. My study bible says, "The joy of discipleship is not in authority over demonic power, but in the citizenship of God's Kingdom."

In that hour Jesus rejoiced in the Spirit and said, "I thank You, Father, Lord of heaven and earth, that You have hidden these things from the wise and prudent and revealed them to babes. Even so, Father, for so it seemed good in Your sight. All things have been delivered to Me by My Father, and no one knows who the Son is except the Father, and who the Father is except the Son, and the one to whom the Son wills to reveal Him." I'm intrigued by the words telling us that Jesus rejoiced in the Spirit -- this is of course meant to refer to the Holy Spirit and it tells us something of the nature of the Spirit and its work in us! And at the same time, He is rejoicing in the work of the holy in each of us -- that these things may be revealed to those of simple and open hearts, and not restricted to the "wise and prudent." That is, to those who have been prepared through education or specialized training, such as the scribes and Pharisees. These "babes" are the ones who have been sent out as "lambs among wolves." I feel that there is more to this -- it is a repeated statement about how faith works, and how the mysteries of the kingdom open to us: through relationship. The Son reveals the Father to those whom He will, even the "babes."

Then He turned to His disciples and said privately, "Blessed are the eyes which see the things you see; for I tell you that many prophets and kings have desired to see what you see, and have not seen it, and to hear what you hear, and have not heard it." My study bible says, "Many prophets and kings of the Old Testament anticipated the coming of Jesus, but they did not experience the blessing of His Incarnation and the presence of His Kingdom." It is, here, a rejoicing in the equalizing of this kingdom -- that it is open even to these, not among the privileged or exalted, but the humble. All of us, in effect, are capable of this faith and citizenship in the Kingdom.

So, let's consider the message in today's reading about the Seventy. They are humble men, not recognized prophets nor kings, not scribes and Pharisees who have had years of study. They tell us something about this kingdom: that it has its own rules that are not our worldly rules. That its power doesn't work like worldly power. That its citizenship is something that comes out of relationship to Father, Son and Spirit, not something we determine for ourselves. That it contains great mysteries to which even the "babes" are invited, while those whom we would expect to enter might be excluded! And that its great power is not something reserved only for the Lord, but is shared with His disciples. The victory over the enemy comes through the spiritual work of the "babes." This great gift of grace works as it will, is open to seemingly all in the sense that it is not only for prophets and kings. So where do we stand? How shall we rejoice that our names are written in this kingdom? Seek first in your heart, in prayer, to the source: Father, Son and Spirit, and let them work in you. Follow His words. Seek the kingdom of love that will teach you how to follow.