Messengers of the GospelSample

They Returned with Joy

“Thank you for sharing this message with us.”

This was the response of a young girl after we nervously shared the gospel with her on a hot day in Panama. The girl and her friend trusted Jesus as their Savior that day. Going into the conversation, I wasn’t sure what their response would be to the good news of Jesus. It was truly a sweet moment to realize how grateful this young woman was for hearing the good news of Jesus. It was the first time I was ever thanked for sharing the message of Jesus with someone.

What a fantastic feeling of joy! This made me want to share the gospel of Jesus more often. Yes, there are times when someone is not interested in the good news of Jesus, but in this case, the response was gratitude and joy!

In Luke 10, Jesus sent out a large group of disciples in pairs to bring His ministry to towns ahead of Him. They were on the front lines of the kingdom, advancing into new territory. They saw demons flee in Jesus’ name. They were messengers of the gospel and witnessed people believing in and following Jesus.

What was their response to this intense time of ministry?

The seventy-two returned with joy and said, “Lord, even the demons submit to us in your name.” (Luke 10:17 NIV)

There is no greater joy than partnering with the Holy Spirit and sharing the good news of Jesus with the people around us. Just as each pair of disciples had a specific sphere of influence in front of them, you have a sphere of influence that is unique to you. Your neighbors are different from other people’s neighbors. Your family is different from other people’s families. The person you see every day at work is having that conversation only with you. It’s a challenge and a privilege to reflect God’s great love to your sphere of influence through your words and actions.

You also meet new people every day. In the barber chair, in the grocery line, or on a walk in your neighborhood, God gives you opportunities each day to represent Him to new people. It can take a lot of courage to share the gospel with strangers. We don’t know how they will respond, and that is not up to us. Jesus made it clear in Luke 10 that not everyone would accept the ministry of his disciples. Some would reject them, but when we go out with nothing but dependency on the Lord, we can always return with joy because we have obeyed Him.

In response to the excitement upon their return, Jesus shifted their focus to even more important things.

He replied, “I saw Satan fall like lightning from heaven. I have given you authority to trample on snakes and scorpions and to overcome all the power of the enemy; nothing will harm you. However, do not rejoice that the spirits submit to you, but rejoice that your names are written in heaven.” (Luke 10:18-20 NIV)

He reminds His disciples not to rejoice simply because of the power they have been given as His ambassadors, but because their names are written in heaven. This is an invitation to experience a deeper joy—a joy that transcends temporary victories and is rooted in their eternal relationship with God. Our joy as believers should ultimately come from the assurance that we are God's children and that our place in His Kingdom is secure.

Who knows? Maybe today is the day of salvation for someone you will meet!

Reflection:

What is on your calendar today? Ask the Lord if He has provided you a chance to share the good news of Jesus in your sphere of influence today.