A Disciple is Joyful
Luke 10:17-24
What gives you joy in life? Hopefully, your work is a joy and not a burden. Many find meaning and joy in what they do. Maybe you have a favorite recreation or craft activity that brings you joy? Perhaps it is being with family and friends that brings joy to your heart and a smile to your lips? One of my greatest joys is seeing the successes of my children. Jesus was filled with joy as he heard the joyous reports of his disciples, who had just completed successful ministry in his name.
What does it mean to be “A Disciple” of Jesus? Luke 9:51-52 says, “As the time approached for him to be taken up to heaven, Jesus resolutely set out for Jerusalem. And he sent messengers on ahead . . . .” Jesus was on a final journey up to Jerusalem with his disciples, whom he sent ahead of him to minister and to prepare the way for his final ministry journey of his earthly life. As we join Jesus and his disciples on this journey, we ponder what it means to be a disciple. What were the characteristics and attributes of Jesus’ disciples, his followers, the ones learning from him? This study is important for us because we today who call ourselves Christians must seek to be faithful disciples on a journey with Jesus each day. So far, in Luke 10:1-16 we have learned that just like the disciples sent out by Jesus long ago, we must:
- share ministry with one another,
- prepare the way for Jesus,
- tackle challenges beyond our strength/ability,
- pray for and rely on God’s help to complete our mission,
- share gently the message of Jesus with others,
- trust in God to provide all we need,
- live with focus on our mission with Jesus,
- proclaim peace and wholeness to the world,
- respect others even when they reject us and our message, and
- accept our responsibility to live actively as Jesus’ disciples in the world today.
Today we consider another important characteristic/attribute in the life of a disciple—joy! In Luke 10:17-24, Jesus was filled with joy himself and identified five sources of joy in every disciple’s life.
The Joy of a Disciple (17-24)
Jesus had a great teaching pattern: I do, you watch; You do, I watch; You do. He was on part two here. Jesus prepared his disciples for the Great Commission in Matthew 28 and Acts 1:8. He sent out a large group of his disciples to minister in his name (cf., Lk 10:1). They came back with joy to report their successes (cf., Lk 10:17). The word joy (Gk., chara) that we consider today means “ inner happiness, gladness, rejoicing, or delight.” It is a condition or state of happiness or blessedness. As you read Luke 10:17-24 below, look for five sources of joy in the life of Jesus and his disciples.
17 The seventy-two returned with joy and said, “Lord, even the demons submit to us in your name.”
18 He replied, “I saw Satan fall like lightning from heaven. 19 I have given you authority to trample on snakes and scorpions and to overcome all the power of the enemy; nothing will harm you. 20 However, do not rejoice that the spirits submit to you, but rejoice that your names are written in heaven.”
21 At that time Jesus, full of joy through the Holy Spirit, said, “I praise you, Father, Lord of heaven and earth, because you have hidden these things from the wise and learned, and revealed them to little children. Yes, Father, for this is what you were pleased to do.
22 “All things have been committed to me by my Father. No one knows who the Son is except the Father, and no one knows who the Father is except the Son and those to whom the Son chooses to reveal him.”
23 Then he turned to his disciples and said privately, “Blessed are the eyes that see what you see. 24 For I tell you that many prophets and kings wanted to see what you see but did not see it, and to hear what you hear but did not hear it” (Luke 10:17-24, NIV).
Empowerment (17)
The disciples declared, “Lord, even the demons submit to us in your name” (17). We all like to have the power/authority to do our job. It is frustrating for the worker, unproductive for the business, and irritating to the customer, when an employee doesn’t have the authority or ability to do what needs to be done. Example: A cashier had to call the manager 3x (change, chips, coupon). The disciples were filled with joy by the evidence that they saw of God’s kingdom coming in power through them as they submitted their lives to Jesus’ call to ministry. The results they experienced foreshadowed the power to come in the resurrection of Jesus and the power of his Spirit at work in the early church in Acts.
Overcoming Evil (18-19)
“[Jesus] replied, I saw Satan fall like lightning from heaven” (18). Jesus alluded here to Isa 14:12, a verse describing the fall of Lucifer from heaven. Ultimately, those who oppose God are defeated by his all-surpassing power. In context, Jesus used this expression to describe the rapid success his disciples had in overcoming evil in his name. He was an eyewitness to the power of God at work in them.
We all like to be on the winning team, to experience the thrill of victory. However, we have all felt the sting of defeat. There is no greater joy or thrill than being on God’s team, and ultimate victory is assured. God has already overcome every evil, symbolized here by Satan, snakes, and scorpions. Satan’s power is broken as God’s kingdom comes with his authority into the world.
Disciples overcome evil not on their own but with the “authority” (Gk., exousian) of Jesus. We are not to boast about what we have done for the Lord. He has done it all for us. Jesus promised, “. . . nothing will harm you” (19). We know that sometimes believers do die physically as they stand against evil. In the Old Testament Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego as they faced the fiery furnace because of their stand against evil King Nebuchadnezzar and his golden idol. They boldly declared, “If we are thrown into the blazing furnace, the God we serve is able to save us from it, and he will rescue us from your hand, O king. But even if he does not, we want you to know, O king, that we will not serve your gods . . .” (Dan 3:17-18). Whether they lived or died, they knew that God would be with them. The evil of this world may win a battle, but it will not stand forever. The righteousness and justice of God will reign in the end.
Salvation (20)
Jesus counseled his disciples, “However do not rejoice that the spirits submit to you, but rejoice that your names are written in heaven” (20). While there is joy in the authority and power of overcoming evil with God in our lives and ministries, the joy a disciple has in his/her personal salvation is greater. God’s grace (Gk., charis) to us in Jesus is the root and source of our joy (Gk., chara) in the Lord.
Pleasing God (21)
Jesus himself was “filled with joy (Gk., agalliao = extremely joyful or glad) through the Holy Spirit.” His joy led him to praise God as it should us. Jesus saw that his disciples were getting it. They were understanding God’s plan and their part in it. He knew that what he was doing and what his disciples were doing was pleasing to God. Joy from the Lord is not as much a feeling or emotion as it is a result of living and acting in ways that please God (e.g., friendliness, generosity, overcoming temptation or adversity, self-sacrifice). “Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy set before him endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God”(Hb12:2).
Knowing Truth (22-23)
There is much speculation in our world today about the “truth.” We hear about fake news and alternative facts. What a relief and joy it would be to know the truth. We can know the Truth not as facts or concepts but in the person of Jesus Christ. Jesus told his disciples that they were “blessed” (Gk., Makarioi) because of what they saw and heard. What the world has been looking for is here—Jesus and the salvation God brings through him.
Do You Have The Joy that Jesus Describes?
Jesus’ disciples today, you and me, are to be filled not just with ordinary joy but the joy of the Lord. Is there evidence of the power of God at work in and through your life as Jesus’ disciple? Are you experiencing the joy of the Lord as you overcome evil in your corner of the world by walking in the authority God gives you as a member of his kingdom? Do you know the joy of salvation that comes from a personal relationship with Jesus? Are you experiencing joy as you please God by not yielding to human temptations but instead by doing only what pleases God, even if it is personally costly? Do you know the joy of walking with Jesus and spending time with him each day? Jesus is with you on your journey in life each day. Follow him. Be a disciple filled with his joy.
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