I’ve been thinking of the 72 unidentified people Jesus sent out in Luke 10. They came back amazed and excited that even the demons submitted to them. Deliverance was not new to the Jewish people but it was a function reserved for the priesthood of the temple – the representatives of God to humanity. (See Matthew 12:27.) Now these 72 anonymous and unknown people were exercising the authority that had only been accessible by birthright and intense training before. No wonder they were amazed.
Luke was the only Gentile to write one of the Gospels and he often emphasized the radical inclusion of all people in the kingdom of God. He was the only author to include the story of the 72 in his gospel. This event was a radical illustration of what Jesus was bringing. No longer would anyone be excluded from the rights and privileges of the priesthood of God. We must be careful not to revert back to a priesthood mindset. I think Luke purposely left the 72 unnamed to emphasize that anyone submitted to Jesus could “do the stuff.”
Once Jesus ascended and his Holy Spirit descended, every believer became a priest. Every believer received authority as a representative of God. Not just those on the church payroll but every unknown, unnamed believer. At Legacy House we see this played out time and again. Regular everyday believers get to participate in the most amazing healing and miracles because they know they are members of a royal priesthood. So what about you?
Training is available periodically to equip you to go out and be amazed at what God is wanting to do through your desire to serve. Contact us at pastorn1975@gmail.com.