What did Jesus rejoice in?

Rejoicing and not...

Having just returned from a special mission, some disciples reported to Jesus: "The seventy-two returned with joy, saying, 'Lord, even the demons are subject to us in your name!' And [Jesus] said to them, 'I saw Satan fall like lightning from heaven. Behold, I have given you authority to tread on serpents and scorpions, and over all the power of the enemy, and nothing shall hurt you. Nevertheless, do not rejoice in this, that the spirits are subject to you, but rejoice that your names are written in heaven.'"(Luke 10:17-20 ESV)

#1 Let's chase a small rabbit, and quick... Jesus was not surprised that obedient servants saw great spiritual victory. Jesus remembered what it was like to see Satan cast out. He KNOWS spiritual victory! Nothing is too hard for God!

#2 Rejoice NOT in what you can do. Even though they were given "...authority...over all the power of the enemy..." Jesus said, "...do not rejoice in this." WOW!

Why?

#3 There was something better to rejoice in. Jesus says, "...rejoice that your names are written in heaven." Rejoice to be known by God. Rejoice more in spiritual security than in temporal tools.

Jesus is telling us it is better to rejoice in WHO knows us than it is to rejoice over what HE gives us. HE is better!

One more thing...

What did Jesus rejoice in? Keep reading!

"In that same hour he rejoiced in the Holy Spirit and said, 'I thank you, Father, Lord of heaven and earth, that you have hidden these things from the wise and understanding and revealed them to little children; yes, Father, for such was your gracious will. All things have been handed over to me by my Father, and no one knows who the Son is except the Father, or who the Father is except the Son and anyone to whom the Son chooses to reveal him.' Then turning to the disciples he said privately, 'Blessed are the eyes that see what you see! For I tell you that many prophets and kings desired to see what you see, and did not see it, and to hear what you hear, and did not hear it.'" (Luke 10:21-24 ESV)

#4 God the Son rejoices that God the Father reveals to these disciples --the elect; the church-- are seeing spiritual victory! Jesus rejoices that these ordinary men and women ARE seeing the gospel! Kings and prophets wanted to see it, but these men ARE seeing it!

Rejoice not in the gift if it causes us to enjoy it more than the Giver!
Rejoice that you are known by God.
Rejoice more if you know Him, too.
Rejoice if the gospel is being unfolded to you.

Jesus rejoices over that too!

Be blessed.