Nevertheless do not rejoice in this, that the spirits are subject to you, but [f]rather rejoice because your names are written in heaven. Luke 10.20
Jesus sends his disciples out to villages and towns instructing them to take along no spare provisions as they preached the gospel and healed the sick. The disciples returned excited with surprising news that the journey went well but they had seen firsthand the supernatural power of God at work. Is my church excited and experiencing the wonders that God is doing among us as we go out onto the streets to share the gospel or are we content in our pews with no visible manifestations?
Their excitement was met with surprise as Jesus redirected their joy onto something else. I wonder if I’m so excited about what doesn’t impress God at all. While there was nothing wrong with those who had been delivered healed and saved in these towns and villages, Jesus says to his disciples that something else is more important. Our earthly trophies and triumphs dwarfs in comparison to the eternal life God wants us to lay hold of.
Is Jesus implying that the outward manifestation of the gifts of the Spirit are not as important as ongoing and internal work of the Spirit, transforming us to be like Him? Sadly, many are keen on displaying the gifts of the Spirit but are lacking in the fruit of the Spirit. And Jesus said on the last day, many will say, they did this and that for the kingdom but they won’t make it through the pearly gates. It’s frightening to think that the possession of the gifts of the Spirit provides no guarantee of eternal life.
Some people who are rejoicing that they were able to prophesy, drive out demons and heal people will be surprised to hear from Jesus, ‘depart from me’. Some others are rejoicing in their laurels and trophies, the many letters behind their names, their bank balances or large social media following. Jesus encourages us to rejoice over what will last for eternity rather than what’s temporal and fading. In who or in what is my joy?
It might be time we changed our perspective and ask God to enable us see things as He does. What a tragedy to pursue what’s temporal and fading, acquire and accumulate executive positions or fancy titles, be revered by all and sundry but spend eternity without God. What might God be saying about our priorities and perspectives? The longer we linger in God’s presence, he will enable us detach from what no longer matters.
To rejoice isn’t just having a posture of happiness or excitement but an outward expression and experience of overwhelming joy and praise for something we know we don’t deserve but has graciously been given to us. When I think that I should be on my way to hell to pay for all the horrible sins I have committed but Jesus took my place, rescuing me and redeeming me from sin, hell and the grave, I can’t describe the joy of my freedom, deliverance and salvation.
Are you still excited about your salvation? David begged God to restore to him the joy of His salvation. It’s possible that we are not as excited today about the mercy God demonstrated on the cross compared to the day we heard the gospel and surrendered our hearts to the Lord. Could our lack of rejoicing over our salvation be responsible for our apathy in telling others about Jesus? It will be hard to share with others the news of something we’re not excited about.
Rejoicing about our salvation must not be a one-off or weekly celebration in our Sunday best but as often as we remember the price Jesus paid to rescue us from the bondage of the enemy. I don’t know who I might have become or where I would have been but for the mercy and grace of God. Sometimes, going the extra mile in our service of the Lord might be our response to a debt we can never repay. The joy of our salvation is extended and reflected in our service to God.
Many have their names inscribed in halls of fame, in corridors of prestigious centres of education, on plaques and special records signifying their outstanding contribution to some aspect of life. And whether we strive to have our names in these sacred spaces or are honored by communities we’re part of, Jesus says none of these accolades come close to having our names written in heaven. We brought nothing into this world and will certainly take nothing away. Am I more interested in having my name on earthly records or in heaven?
Is my name written in heaven? Is my name in the Lamb’s book of life? Do I have an assurance of salvation? Have I been washed in the blood of the Lamb? Have I asked Jesus to forgive my sins and invited him to come into my heart? What a tragedy to be a celebrity here on earth but spend eternity in hell? What shock and sorrow awaits those who accomplished great things for God but their names are not written in heaven.