Seventy

Only the 12 apostles?

In Luke 10, while I was looking for this particular verse, “Notwithstanding in this rejoice not, that the spirits are subject unto you; but rather rejoice, because your names are written in heaven. Luke 10:20”, it actually led me to read the entire chapter in context.

The verse was not directed towards the 12 apostles… but instead to a group of 70 people! Other Bible versions specified 72, while KJV was 70. The number is probably not important here. But we do know it is not the 12, but to a larger group of people.

This larger group of people probably were not as priviledge as the 12 disciples who followed Jesus around everyday, but they were no less annointed by Jesus to do his work. Of note too was Jesus did not send them out one by one, but by twos! Why two? Certainly for support and companionship with each other. This surely shows how much Jesus knows about us, who are of his creation.

The bible, it’s good for the soul.

Praises

Everybody loves praises. For those who for unknown reasons, don’t get much on earth. Do not fret, remain faithful to Jesus. At the end of the earthly pilgrimage, there’s no greater praise than the praise from our Lord Jesus Christ himself “well done thou good and faithful servant”.

This is interesting. Another thought comes into my mind. Folks who seek praises reminds me of the Pharisees who prays in the street to be recognized by men. Yet Jesus says, go into your closet to pray in private. Those who pray publicly have gotten their rewards, praises of men. While those who pray in private, he will God reward openly.

Can this be related to our Christian walk in Christ. How some of us yearn for praises of men? There’s nothing wrong in that, however coveting for praises is bad. Seek God’s approval and praise instead. That should be more gratifying. And how do we know what God will praise us on? God never changes like our fashion or trends. So he’s criteria of praise will never change. This can be something I can meditate on. Men’s praise or God’s praise? This does not mean we go about pissing people off either.

If Christ deserves all praises, why do we want any praises to ourselves at all? Self centered?

Interesting.