The Important Thing

Luke 10:17-20

‘“Nevertheless do not rejoice in this, that the spirits are subject to you, but rejoice that your names are recorded in heaven”’ (Lk. 10:20, NASB).

A few years ago I worked with a friend and colleague helping people with criminal records and little or no job skills. Our goal was to prepare people to get a job. Why should we work? Do we have a good reason to work? The two answers that seemed to resonate with our students were: God created us to work. Work gives one a sense of accomplishment and self worth. The important thing is that they get a job.

In Luke 10, the writer records that Jesus appoints seventy people to go to the cities that He is to pass through (v.1). He gives them specific instructions on how to carry out their assignment (vv. 3-9). He warns them that everyone will not hear what they have to say vv. 10-15). They are not to try to force people to listen, because after all, if they do not hear them, they will not hear Jesus (vv.10:16). The seventy go out and they have much success. They return to Jesus and give to Him a favorable report.

When the seventy return they tell Jesus that they have had a successful mission. They say, “‘Lord, even the demons are subject to us in Your name’” (v. 17, NASB). The disciples go out and they are able to do what Jesus had instructed them to do. “‘Whatever city you enter and they receive you, eat what is set before you; and heal those in it who are sick, and say to them, “The kingdom of God has come near to you” (vv.8-9). I believe that it is significant that the writer does not mention demons in these two verses. It indicates that the disciples saw a need and acted on their faith in Jesus. Now, this gives them a sense of accomplishment. They have a greater feeling of self worth. Why? I see two reasons for their excitement and enthusiasm. First, they are able to do more than they had ever thought of themselves as being able to do. Second, they realize that they have found favor with God, and this enables them to accomplish great things. We shall see that while these things are needed, they are not the important thing.

In verse eighteen and nineteen Jesus affirms their report. He commends them for their accomplishments. Jesus tells them that they are right when they say that they cast out demons in His name. ‘“Behold, I have given you authority to tread on serpents and scorpions, and over all the power of the enemy, and nothing will injure you” (v. 19, NASB). However, these things are not the important thing.

Jesus continues, and He says, “‘Nevertheless do not rejoice in this, that the spirits are subject to you, but rejoice that your names are recorded in heaven” (v. 20, NASB). It is here that Jesus tells them that the important thing is that their names are recorded in heaven. The writer of the Book of Revelation mentions that having one’s name written in the Book of Life is vital to our success, survival, a guarantee of eternal life. Those whose names are written in the Book of Life are able to overcome the decaying effects upon those who depend on their insufficient deeds (Rev. 3:5). They do not worship the dragon (13:8). They are not amazed by the beast (17:80. They are judged by what is written in the Book of Life (20:12). Those whose names are not recorded in the Book of Life will be cast into the lake of fire (20:15). The unclean do not have their names written in the book of life (21:27). Regardless to what we do or do not do, the important thing is that our name is written in heaven.

This past Sunday our pastor preached about how important it is that we keep Jesus in our lives. He named several things that we do that cause us to be excited and enthusiastic. Some examples are our education, our jobs, rise in social status, the accomplishments that we achieve in our professions, and the accomplishments of our children. In the church we get excited about the singing, the praying, the preaching, position in the church, and tithing. While these things are cause for excitement, our pastor emphasizes that the important thing is that we keep Jesus in our life. So, we may ask, Are not these things evidence that we have Jesus in our life. These things, are not they important to the life of the church? Paul the Apostle answers these questions in three well known scriptures.

First, Paul tells us that our works do not save us from our sins. He says, “For by grace you have been saved through faith; and that not of yourselves, it is the gift of God; not as a result of works, so that no one may boast” (Eph. 2:8-9, NASB). Secondly, Paul tells us that our attempt to live holy lives will not restore us to a right relationship with God. Paul says, “By the works of the Law no flesh will be justified in His sight; through the Law comes the knowledge of sin” (Rom. 3:20). Paul concludes that our relationship to God; our right standing with God is based not on what we do, but rather, on what God has done for us in Jesus Christ. Paul writes, “Therefore, having been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ” (Rom. 5:1). Now let us return to our text. In the remainder of Luke 10 the writer explains more about the evidence that we have of ourselves that lets us know that our names are written in heaven.

The first incident takes place when a lawyer put Jesus to a test. He asks, “‘Teacher, what shall I do to inherit eternal life?” (Lk. 10:25). Since the Lawyer asks what He must do, Jesus asks him what the Law requires of him (v. 26). The lawyer replies that he is to obey the two greatest commandments in the Law. The lawyer rightly replies that he is to love God and love his neighbor (v. 27). Jesus challenges the lawyer by telling him to do what the Law commands; specifically, to love his neighbor. Jesus tells the parable of the Good Samaritan to illustrate to the lawyer who is his neighbor (vv. 3-37). Every person wounded (by sin) is the neighbor to the person who has been made well by Jesus. Love of God is demonstrated in our love for our neighbor.

Finally, the writer tells us that every person must choose to do one important thing. The writer switches the scene to the home of a woman named Martha and her sister Mary. Martha is concerned about doing all the things that are considered to be appropriate when a guest is invited into the home. On the other hand, her sister is concerned more with what Jesus has to say. For Mary, the important thing is to be in the presence of Jesus. Martha asks Jesus to tell Mary to help her with the serving of the meal. This is Jesus’ reply to Martha. ‘“Martha, Martha, you are worried and bothered about so many things; but only one thing is necessary, for Mary has chosen the good part, which shall not be taken away from her”’ (vv. 41-42, NASB). The important thing is that we live in the presence of Jesus; our name is written in the book of life; in heaven