“Your names are written in heaven”

Read Luke 10:17-24

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Those who’d been sent out on mission “returned with joy” because of their authority over evil spirits (17; 9:1). Their victories were a part of God’s great victory over Satan, which had seen Satan cast out of heaven and which was now being completed through the coming of God’s kingdom in Jesus (18; 11:20; Jn.12:31; Rev.12:7-9; Is.14:12-15).

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So they needed to beware of any proud boasting (the cause of Satan’s fall), remembering that any power that they’d had was only because it had been “given” (19; 1 Cor.1:31). Even better, the greatest gift of all – and therefore their greatest joy – is that their “names are written in heaven”, the assurance that they belong to God for ever (20; Heb.12:23; Rev.3:5; Dan.12:1).

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Such things can only be known by divine revelation (21-22). Themes common in John’s Gospel are affirmed here by Jesus, particularly the relationship between him, the Son, and the Father, which enables him alone to reveal the Father to us (Jn.1:14,18; 3:35; 13:3; 14:9; 17:6,26). Understanding God’s mystery is hidden from the wise but revealed to those with child-like openness and trust. There can be no greater privilege than that (23-24; 1 Cor.2:9-10).