Here is a fascinating exchange:<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The seventy-two returned with joy, saying, \u201cLord, even the demons are subject to us in your name!\u201d And he said to them, \u201cI saw Satan fall like lightning from heaven. Behold, I have given you authority to tread on serpents and scorpions, and over all the power of the enemy, and nothing shall hurt you. Nevertheless, do not rejoice in this, that the spirits are subject to you, but rejoice that your names are written in heaven.\u201d (Luke 10.17 – 20, ESV)<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n The usual take on this is that when Jesus “saw Satan fall like lightning from heaven,” he was talking about their casting out demons. But I heard an old pastor in a small group setting give a different interpretation: He said, \u201cThe 72 were proud and excited about what they had done. Jesus warned them of pride. \u2018I saw Satan fall like lightning from heaven<\/a>.\u2019 Why did Satan fall? Because of his pride. \u2018Don\u2019t rejoice that the spirits are subject to you but rejoice that you\u2019re on the team.\u2019\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n But Jesus rejoiced that so many \u201clittle children\u201d – probably the ordinary people who were following him – were getting it.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n In that same hour he rejoiced in the Holy Spirit and said, \u201cI thank you, Father, Lord of heaven and earth, that you have hidden these things from the wise and understanding and revealed them to little children; yes, Father, for such was your gracious will. All things have been handed over to me by my Father, and no one knows who the Son is except the Father, or who the Father is except the Son and anyone to whom the Son chooses to reveal him.\u201d Then turning to the disciples he said privately, \u201cBlessed are the eyes that see what you see! For I tell you that many prophets and kings desired to see what you see, and did not see it, and to hear what you hear, and did not hear it.\u201d (Luke 10.21 – 24, ESV)<\/em><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" Here is a fascinating exchange: The seventy-two returned with joy, saying, \u201cLord, even the demons are subject to us in your name!\u201d And he said to them, \u201cI saw Satan fall like lightning from heaven. Behold, I have given you authority to tread on serpents and scorpions, and over all the power of the enemy, … Continue reading Beware of pride<\/span>