This chapter of Luke has Jesus sending out "the 72" (or 70 depending on translation) missionaries. We will talk again about them in later lessons as we see Jesus reclaiming the nations, but that's for another day.  Jesus sent them without money or provision and no plan, only trust in the Lord. In verse 17 they've returned ... and they are amazed.

They were overjoyed at their new found ability to walk in authority over the unseen realm. While Jesus affirmed the facts, He redirected their joy to the more important thing; they were counted among the children of God ... their names were written in heaven. Power can be intoxicating, but it wasn't the foundation of their identity. Nor is it ours. True security and joy isn't built on status or ability, it's built on relationship.

It actually shouldn't surprise us (or them, for that matter) that authority was seen and exercised. Jesus stands at the center of God's administration over creation. All authority flows through Him. (Matthew 28:18) Their, and our, participation in the Kingdom of God is cemented in belonging, not accomplishment, protecting us from swinging the spectrum of pride to despair.

This is a real problem it seems for the modern American church as we seek to grow ever larger congregations, garner widening spheres of influence, and absorb more and more recognition. What we ought to focus on instead is knowing ... knowing HIm and being known BY Him.

If we aren't careful, spiritual "success" can slowly creep in and replace spiritual intimacy. Thankfully, Jesus reminds us our joy is rooted in Him and that sort of joy will long outlast any perceived joy (really happiness, and there's a difference) that comes from any sort of results.

The admonition here is fairly simple; serve with boldness, but remain deeply anchored in His grace. We must allow our identity in Jesus, not our "effectiveness", define who we are. Let's be thankful today that our place in His Kingdom is secure, not dependent on our "success". We can serve from gratitude and joy, not striving and toil.

It's easy in our modern culture (or post-modern, really) to fall into the trap of identifying value and worth by what we and others perceive as "success" as we work for God. It's a trap many ministers and laypeople alike fall into. I know I have, for sure.

In your own life, what shapes your sense of "spiritual success"? How can Jesus' words in this passage help to change and reframe that perspective?