While searching the scriptures in search of a topic for today’s writing, I, as always, not only found many subjects to share but was reminded how wonderful it is to simply rejoice in the Lord and be thankful for Him and His Word. How blessed we are for the freedom of worship and to be able to come before His presence any time we choose and simply have a little talk with Jesus. I often wonder at how different life would be without this privilege.
What if He hadn’t sought me out and chosen to share His love with me? What if I had continued to push Him away and not let Him in? What true darkness I would be living in today. “Many are called,” it says in Matthew 22:14, “but few are chosen.” My spirit rejoices in the fact that, I will be counted among the few…not because of anything I did…other than deciding to believe that what the Bible says is true and accepting the fact that Jesus died on the cross for me…in my place… so that my sins could be forgiven and my soul saved from hell. He did it all, paid it all, then revealed Himself to me that I might accept it.
When Jesus chose His disciples, He sought them out carefully and knew by their hearts what kind of followers they would be. When he sat with Matthew, a tax collector, and others whom were not well trusted among the people, it was questioned why He would hang out with such sinners. Hearing this, Jesus said, “Those who are well have no need of a physician…I am not come to call the righteous, but sinners to repentance.”
Some that Jesus asked to be His followers, had other things to do. One said, “First let me go and bury my father.” and another, “I will follow you, but first let me go and say goodbye to my family.” How many times, after being saved, has the Lord called on us to do something, but we find other things that need to be done first before we follow Him?
When the crowds that followed Jesus became so huge and He saw the needs of so many not being met, He said. “The harvest is great, but the workers are few.” He appointed seventy other followers and sent them out two by two …then prayed for more.
When the seventy returned, they were overjoyed by the success of their mission. “Lord,” they said, “even the devils are subject to us through thy name!”
Jesus said, I saw Satan, as lightning, fall from heaven.” (Luke 10:18-20) …I gave you power to tread on serpents and scorpions, and over all the power of the enemy; and nothing shall hurt you. But in this, rejoice not that the spirits are subject unto you, but rather rejoice because your names are written in heaven.”
Luke 10: 21 IN THAT HOUR JESUS REJOICED IN SPIRIT. He began to thank God that these things had been hidden from the wise and prudent, but revealed to the babies in Christ… the new believers. In verse 23, He turned to His disciples and said privately, “Blessed are the eyes that see the things that you see…Many prophets and kings desire to see the things you see and have not seen them; and to hear those things which you hear, and have not heard them.”
Let us rejoice in our spirits today that Jesus has allowed us to be a part of His plan of salvation for this hurting world of sinners. What a privilege to see His spirit move among a congregation and pick out those He chooses to follow Him. What joy we should feel when one or more answers that call and steps out to accept His invitation.
Today, as it was then, the harvest is great, but the workers are few. Let us not find other things to do when we are called to serve, but put God and His business above anything else we are responsible for. Then we can rejoice with the saints knowing that our “names are written in heaven!”
