This painting was inspired by Luke 10:17–20:
“The seventy-two returned with joy, saying, ‘Lord, even the demons are subject to us in your name!’ And he said to them, ‘I saw Satan fall like lightning from heaven. Behold, I have given you authority to tread on serpents and scorpions, and over all the power of the enemy, and nothing shall hurt you. Nevertheless, do not rejoice in this, that the spirits are subject to you, but rejoice that your names are written in heaven.’”
It is fascinating to see Jesus’s perspective. Jesus commissioned 72 of His followers to go heal the sick, drive out demons, and help the oppressed. He equipped them with authority to do God’s work. They were to bring heaven to earth through their works, bringing healing, deliverance, and hope. Their work was very important and Jesus blessed it—that’s why they were successful.These ordinary 72 people did amazing wonders in the name of Jesus. They used the name of Jesus and the demons fled! This is significant! Ordinary people equipped with the authority of Jesus’s name did amazing things. Even they were amazed at what they could do in the name of Jesus. Jesus’s name is powerful even today and everyone who believes in the powerful name of Jesus has the same authority today. The authority is not dependent on who I am or who you are. The authority comes from the name of Jesus! Many people don’t agree with this, but I have seen and experienced this to be true. Operating in the authority of Christ is a very important aspect of being a disciple of Jesus.
While walking in the authority of Jesus and bringing heaven to earth is a command of God, we must never look only at the things we accomplish here on earth. We walk with focus to bring heaven to earth, but we never lose sight of the coming Kingdom of God. While miracles, signs, and wonders are amazing and to be celebrated, we should never forget that there is an even bigger reason to celebrate, which is to recognize that our citizenship is in heaven.
If you have put your faith in the saving power of Christ your King, your name has already been written in the Book of Life. If you are unsure of your salvation, then do not quit until you make peace with God. God’s grace through the blood of Jesus wipes out all sins and is able to save everyone. This world and everything in it will pass. Our flesh will fail one day, but our precious soul will live on by the grace of God. Jesus died so we could live. He did everything so we don’t have to do anything to receive this salvation. It’s a free gift to everyone irrespective of who you are.If you are a disciple of Christ, yes, rejoice in the many miracles and wonders that God will do through you, but rejoice more because your name is written in the Book of Life and no one can blot out your name from that book.
Jesus had a heavenly perspective and so should we. We have to carry the mind of Christ. All our accomplishments are secondary in comparison to living in peace with God. Our spiritual accomplishments and successes fade in comparison to the overwhelming goodness of having our names written in the Book of Life.I pray that we will see miracles and that demons will flee in the name of Jesus, but most importantly, I pray that we will find life through the cross of Jesus.
A note about the painting: This painting has the names of many of my loved ones hidden away. It was a prophetic act of declaring life over them. I invite you to speak life over the people you love. You are a priest in God’s kingdom (1 Peter 2:9) and you are a co-heir with Christ (Romans 8:17), seated in heavenly places with Him (Ephesians 2:6). So, intercede and speak life for the ones that God has placed in your life. He is able!