Greetings in Christ,
Luke records an event where Jesus had sent out seventy people to preach and heal people in the surrounding cities. Jesus has given them instructions on how to prepare for the journey and how to receive the city when they entered it. They are only to eat what is given them and to stay in the same house where they are given a place to rest. If they are rejected, they are to shake the dust of the city off their feet and move on. Jesus had empowered them to do great things in His name as they went out to spread the word Jesus was going to visit their city soon.
They returned to Jesus after their journey and reported many things, but they seemed even more excited that even the demons were subject to them by using the name of Jesus. Jesus responded by saying, “I saw Satan fall from heaven like lightning. Behold I have given you authority to tread upon serpents and scorpions, and over all the power of the enemy, and nothing shall injure you. Nevertheless do not rejoice in this, but rejoice that your names are recorded in heaven.”
It would be great to have been part of that group preaching, healing, and casting out demons. The absence of any fear knowing you possess the power of Jesus at just saying His name, but this was not the point Jesus wanted them to understand. It was for them to understand they are part of something greater; they will have a place in heaven. Jesus referred to having their names recorded in heaven, or as many may know it as the Book of Life. It may not seem all that great compared to healing and casting out demons, but having their name recorded had more depth to it than they realized when Jesus spoke those words.
To the Jews having their names recorded was an everyday event. They held recording things in a book to be of great value, and a good way to keep the records straight for future reference. Recording things in a book held even more importance in the tracking of people’s lineage as the family grew and multiplied. Being part of certain families had its advantages in life which could be valuable to a person to get ahead in life and receive wealth in case of death of their parents or grandparents. They certainly did not want others to claim what was to be theirs.
Jesus was trying to remind them of the importance in their names being recorded in heaven or in the Book of Life. To have their names recorded as being a child of God should be held close to their heart and in their thinking. To be considered a child of God meant they had an inheritance which was waiting for them once they were in heaven. They would not need anything more; they had arrived and would be set for the rest of their lives.
Jesus was trying to remind them it was not about the power, but rather the one who had the power, and the one who was willing to share all He had with those who wanted to be part of His family. Their name had been recorded in the Book of Life, and nothing could change or blot out their name from the book. They had a place in heaven.
There is great value in knowing your name is recorded in the Book of Life. You have become a child of God, and He is willing to share all He has with you. To be empowered to do great things in the name of Jesus would be nice, but it is fails in comparison to the rewards which wait for us in heaven; to be called a child of God. Let’s not forget to rejoice we are a child of God!
“Praise the Lord! Sing to the Lord a new song, and His praise in the congregation of the godly ones. Let Israel be glad in his Maker; let the sons of Zion rejoice in their King. Let them praise His name with dancing; let them sing praises to Him with timbrel and lyre. For the Lord takes pleasure in His people; He will beautify the afflicted ones with salvation. Let the godly ones exult in glory; let them sing for joy on their beds. Let the high praises of God be in their mouth, and a two-edged sword in their hand, to execute vengeance on the nations and punishment on the peoples, to bind their kings with chains and their nobles with fetters of iron, to execute on them the judgment written; this is an honor for all His godly ones. Praise the Lord!” Psalm 149
Lord we rejoice our names are recorded in heaven! Amen
Blessings,