Listen

The seventy-two returned joyously, saying, “Lord, even the demons submit themselves to us in your name.”

Jesus replied, “I saw Satan fall from heaven like lightning. Look, I have given you authority to crush snakes and scorpions underfoot. I have given you authority over all the power of the enemy. Nothing will harm you. Nevertheless, don’t rejoice because the spirits submit to you. Rejoice instead that your names are written in heaven.”

Luke 10:17-20

Think

I imagine these 72 running, skipping, and shouting about how the demons submitted to the name of Jesus. Wouldn’t you be elated, too? We have been taught all our lives about evil prevailing the earth. But with one word here, the demons stopped their action. I am no demonologist, but from the hundreds of horror movies I have seen, I know that demons need a vessel to work within. For example, the hogs are the vessel that are possessed in another story. Jesus is reminding the joyful 72, in this story, that they have authority and power to decide not to become a vessel for evil.

It’s important for us to rejoice each time we intentionally choose not to submit to the evil around us. When we decide not to be a vessel for evil, we are bringing the Kingdom of Heaven right here. And that is not only powerful, but worth celebrating.

Timothy Peoples

Pray

Lord, may I be a vessel of your grace, your power, and especially of your love.

And by doing that, may I constantly run joyously back to you.

Amen.

Go

May God console you, may God affirm you, may God shepherd you, may God delight you out of the inexhaustible stores of divine love and joy.

Terry J. Stokes, from “Benediction”
in Prayers for the People: Things We Didn’t Know We Could Say to God (2021)