As I write I am looking forward to the return of our World Changers missionaries from Oregon this weekend. I am anticipating that they will have stories aplenty to share—their experiences, their encounters, the challenges they faced, even their accomplishments.
Thinking about their return reminds me of a similar occasion described in Scripture. Luke chapter 10 begins with the account of Jesus sending out 72 missionaries into the mission field. He gives them instructions about their task and the conduct he expects of them as they fulfill their mission. He also gives them assurance of their identity as representatives of himself and of God.
Then, “the seventy-two returned with joy and said, ‘Lord, even the demons submit to us in your name’” (Luke 10.17 NIV). The missionaries were ecstatic that they experienced authority over the evil spirits they encountered. And Jesus affirms their report. He describes their success with the picture of Satan’s fierce fall from the sky. Satan’s self-imagined authority has been dismantled. But at the same time, Jesus also points them to a better reason for rejoicing: “However, do not rejoice that the spirits submit to you, but rejoice that your names are written in heaven” (Luke 10.20 NIV). The missionaries focused on the experience of authority and their own successful work; Jesus reminds them that all that is possible only because of his own decisive work that secured their (and our) salvation. This is a joy that is greater than their authority. It is their secure position before God, brought about by God’s own work in Christ.
Serving the Lord, and experiencing some level of success definitely provides plentiful reason to rejoice. Yet the Lord redirects the rejoicing of his faithful servants to something even greater: our security in Christ. As Paul would describe it: “Your life is now hidden with Christ in God” (Colossians 3.3). This is all because of Christ’s own faithfulness in fulfilling his mission—to give himself for our sake, be crucified, and then be raised from the dead.
In another incident during Jesus’ ministry, he tells his disciples: “I tell you, there is rejoicing in the presence of the angels of God over one sinner who repents” (Luke 15.10 NIV). Once again, the reason to rejoice is the secure position that lost sinners receive when they turn to God in repentance and trust.
Indeed, our highest reason to rejoice is the saving work of Christ. It is what God has accomplished in Christ; not our own accomplishment.
—Keith Y. Jainga