Today’s Reading:
Luke 10:21-24
“For I tell you that many prophets and kings have desired to see those things which ye see, and have not seen them and to hear those things which ye hear and have not heard them” (v.24)
In verse 24 of our Today’s reading, Jesus was telling his disciples privately that what they had seen at the time, had not been seen or heard by many prophets and kings who had desired to see and hear them. One wonders what these things were! Prior to this statement, Jesus had sent out his twelve disciples, as recorded in Luke 9:1-6, commissioning them and equipping them with power and authority over all devils, to cure diseases, heal the sick and preach the kingdom of God to the people.
After this, Jesus further in Luke 10:1-17 appointed another batch of seventy people, whom He sent out, two by two, into every city and place, to carry out the same commission. These came back and reported to Jesus with joy, saying that even the devils were subject to them through his name (v.17). What the disciples and the other seventy sent out by Jesus saw were the “miracles” that resulted from their outings. Since they were well equipped with power, authority, and the name of Jesus, they were able to do those feats – heal the sick, cast out devils/demons, preach to people who accepted Jesus as their Lord. The outcome of the outing was so outstanding that it was said in Luke 9:7, that when king Herod the tetrarch heard of it, he was perplexed. There were even rumours that John the Baptist whom Herod had beheaded must have come back to life, to carry out the supernatural feats. Some said prophet Elias (Elisha) or other old prophets must have risen again.
On their part, Jesus was encouraging his disciples, in verse 23, that they should rejoice because they were blessed that their eyes were seeing the things that they saw. He confirmed to them that many prophets and kings had desired to see and hear of these things but did not. Some of these prophets included: Isaiah, Joel, and others; kings like Uzziah, Ahaz, other kings of Judah and Israel. It is by no means an exaggeration to say that what the disciples of Jesus saw and heard, are nothing compared with what believers of this dispensation are seeing, hearing, and doing. Obviously from the number/ population of believers throughout the world, carrying out the “Great Commission” delivered to their hands by Jesus (Matt. 28:19-20 and Mark 16:15-20), and seeing the miracles happening daily, Christ is mightily glorified. Like in the days of the disciples and the seventy, Jesus is still giving believers of this day, not just power and authority, but He has fulfilled the promise of the Holy Spirit (Acts 1:8) who is emboldening and giving power to carry out miracles. There are evidence from outcomes of crusades, evangelical outings, regular congregational services, where souls are won to the kingdom of God in large number; healing and deliverance taking place, baptism with water and the Holy Spirit and so on, happening daily.
No doubt, believers of these dispensation are without excuses. Rather, we are to hurry, be diligent, have passion for souls like never before, because we are witnessing the End-Time prophecies being fulfilled (Matt. 24). The “Great Commission” should be taken more seriously, to ensure massive drive for soul winning and discipline. Furthermore, believers are to strive and live in the consciousness of the word of God in 1 Cor. 2:9 – “Eyes have not seen, nor ears heard nor have entered into the heart of man, the things God has prepared for them that love him.” These things include crowns, white robes, white stones with new names, and so on, and above all, names written in the Book of Life, and eternity with Christ (Book of Revelations).
Believers of this dispensation are without excuse. We have seen, heard, and partaken of the wonders of Christ - his salvation, miracles and blessings, which others in past dispensations could not see or partake of.
CHRISTIE KUPOLUYI
Prayer:
Father, we will forever thank You for the gift of Your son, Jesus Christ, in Jesus name.
Lord, we will never lose sight of Your redemptive and miraculous gifts to mankind, in Jesus name.
Precious Lord, open our eyes and desire to fulfil the Great Commission of winning souls and discipline them, in Jesus name.
Father, wake up Your Church and spring it out to fulfil its purpose in the world, in Jesus name.
Father, help believers and Your Church, as a whole to influence the nations of the world at this end-time, in Jesus name.
Father Lord, intervene in the situation of our nation, and let Your will be done, in Jesus name
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