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[0:00] That goes into them being able to pinch and to grab. And even the fine art that a surgeon or a musician or some other one who does very delicate things.

[0:11] ! All that comes from those moments of learning as they look at their hand. It's amazing what God enables them to do. Or their voice.

[0:23] Kids learn to make noises just by listening and looking at you. It's amazing to watch them learn. Or the joy of watching a first grader learn to ride a bike.

[0:38] Or when that first grader begins reading and it clicks. And they start saying words that you've never talked about.

[0:50] Because they've learned rules and they see things. It's just amazing to watch them do these things. I think that what we will look at today will be like that.

[1:08] It's rewarding to watch kids learn. And I think what we're looking at will be like that. But ultimately we're not talking about the joy of kids today.

[1:23] We're going to talk about things that make the disciples excited. But I think the reason Luke put verses 17 to 24 in this passage.

[1:35] Is to talk about Jesus' excitement. I think he wants us to see the joy of our Savior.

[1:48] The joy our Savior has. Of watching disciples get it. Things beginning to click.

[1:59] We've seen. And no shame to them. Because we're just as bad. We've seen some pretty blind disciples. And we.

[2:12] Because now we're on the other side. And have progressed beyond where they are at this point. They will far alt strip us. But we've progressed beyond where they are at this point.

[2:23] We look at them and say. Come on. Get it. But the joy of Jesus. Watching what goes on. Is amazing. And so.

[2:37] We're going to look at that in just a minute. But I want to remind you. And put you back in the situation that we're in. I want to remind you that last week. We saw that the Lord sent out. 72 disciples. And he sent them to all the towns.

[2:50] Where he was going to go. And I should back up just a second. And Jesus has been ministering in Galilee. For well over a year. Capernaum. Has been his hometown.

[3:01] That's where he's done most of his teaching. And we've just. Seen Jesus say. How liable for judgment they are. Because they've seen. Probably the greatest amount of miracles.

[3:14] And heard the greatest teaching. Of any town in the world. But then as he finishes up that year. He sets his face to Jerusalem.

[3:24] Because he's going. To accomplish his exodus. And we talked about how that is him going. To Jerusalem. To deliver his people. By means of his.

[3:36] Arrest. Suffering. Death. Resurrection. And ascension. And so he sets his face to Jerusalem. He begins that trek.

[3:47] The first town he's rejected. And then shortly after that. Jesus sends out the 72. To go to all the towns. That he's going to go to.

[4:00] And the 72. He sent out. With an urgency. To heal the sick. And infirmed. In all those towns. The towns that would receive him.

[4:12] The towns that would receive him. They would do miracles. And they would preach. The towns. That. Didn't receive. Him. They still got informed.

[4:24] Of the kingdom of God. Being near. But when the disciples. Were done. They would shake the dust. Off from their feet. In judgment. Because they hadn't listened.

[4:37] And he talks about. The great judgment. That lay upon. Upon towns like. Chorazin. Bethsaida. And Capernaum.

[4:48] Towns now having heard. More as I mentioned. Than anyone else. And yet. As a whole. Had not accepted him.

[5:00] Instead. In rejecting them. Him. Put themselves. In a greater. Or worse situation. I should say. Than Sodom.

[5:11] Tyre. And Sidon. The ones. Those people listening. Would have known. To have been. The worst. Cities. In the world. To them.

[5:23] Let's pick up. Our account. By going to Luke. Chapter 10. Starting in verse 17. So he sent them out. He's charged them.

[5:35] And this is. The story. Continuing. The 72. Returned with joy. Saying. Lord. Even the demons. Are subject to us. In your name. And he said.

[5:45] And he said to them. I saw. Satan. Fall like. Lightning. From heaven. Behold. I have given you. Authority. To tread on.

[5:56] 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.

[6:07] But rejoice. That your names. Are written. In heaven. In the same hour. He rejoiced. In the Holy Spirit. And said. I thank you.

[6:18] Father. Lord of heaven and earth. That you have hidden. These things. From the wise. And understanding. And revealed them. To little children. Yes.

[6:29] Father. For such. Was your gracious. Will. All things. Have been handed over. To me. By my father. And no one knows. Who the son is.

[6:40] Except the father. And who the father is. Except the son. And anyone. To whom the son. Chooses to reveal him. Then turning.

[6:50] To the disciples. He said privately. Blessed. Are your eyes. That. See. What you see. For I tell you.

[7:01] That many prophets. And kings. Have desired. To see what you see. And did not see it. And to hear what you hear. And did not hear it. Let's pray.

[7:14] Father. I thank you. For this passage. I thank you. For the wonder. And the beautiful picture. It portrays. Of Christ. I thank you. Father. For the things.

[7:24] That. It shows us. Of ways. That you have blessed us. And you have been gracious. To us. I pray. That you would help us. To see our savior's joy.

[7:35] And help us. To follow the instruction. That he gives. Jesus. And I pray. That. You would bless. Your word. To our hearts. Today. In Jesus name. Amen. So I'd like to break this up.

[7:52] Into two sections. And. I've entitled the message. The joy of little children. It's an odd name. But yet.

[8:04] I think. As my introduction. Was pointing to. I think that's. Exactly. What's going on here. I think it's the idea. Of our savior. Enjoying.

[8:15] What's going on. In the disciples. Enjoying. What God is doing. In sending. Jesus. And what.

[8:25] Jesus has been able. To show these people. Of himself. And the father. So let's look first. At. At the idea. Of Jesus. Enjoys. The joy. Of the disciples.

[8:37] And that's verses. 17 to 20. Jesus. Heard their joy. Verse 17. Talks about. How the 72. Come back. And they're just.

[8:48] Bubbling. And they're just. Amazed. At what Jesus. Had sent them out. To do. And what God. Had enabled them. To do. While they went out. They returned.

[8:58] With joy. It says. And apparently. That joy. Stemmed from the fact. That they were. Mostly successful. It appears.

[9:11] By the way. They spoke. Now. Remember. That they would have. Only been able. To minister. According to. Luke 10. 8. They would have. Only been able. To minister. The healing.

[9:21] And what would end up. They didn't think. Or know about this. But what would end up. Being. Casting out demons. That would only happen. To those people. Who would receive them. And so.

[9:31] They come back. Impressed. With what God. Does through them. So. It seems. That their ministry. Was. At least.

[9:42] A majority. Successful. And. They're beaming. They're just. Amazed. At what God. Allowed them to do. And.

[9:53] And. They say. Lord. Even the demons. Are subject to them. Now. We've seen. Already. In. The accounts.

[10:04] Of Luke. That. Some of the healings. Involved. Casting out a demon. If you were to skim. Back over the pages. That are the verses. That are before. What we're looking at.

[10:14] When he charged them. He did not say. Anything. About casting out demons. Not a word was said of it. But we know.

[10:25] From previous. Instruction. That sometimes. Some of what went on. In people's lives. Were because of demons. During that time. And back. In Luke 10.

[10:36] Luke 9. Verse 1. We find. That Jesus. Sent the 12. Out. At one point. And he. Gave them. Authority. Over the demons.

[10:48] Now. The 72. Did not include. The 12. They stayed. With Jesus. But those 72. Went out. Without. That commission.

[10:59] The 12. Had gone out. Early. With that. Commission. In Luke 10. When he sent out. The 70. In 10. Verse 1. When he sent out. The 72. Not one thing.

[11:09] Is mentioned. About demons. And as I thought. About that. He sent them out. Without talking about. Dealing with demons. And they went out.

[11:21] And came back. And were amazed. And I thought. What would that have been like? You're going out. And you're expecting. To preach. And you're expecting. To heal. And you know.

[11:33] What was the circumstances? What was the situation? That somehow. The first one. And they went. To different places. So it wasn't like. They got together. And said. Hey. Frank. I was preaching.

[11:44] The other day. And this guy. Pestered me. And I cast out the demon. Did you know. We could do that? It wasn't like. It's. They weren't gathered together. They had gone. To different places.

[11:55] And so. In so many of these. 72. That were sent out. Somehow. Something triggered it. That. For some reason. They had to cast out a demon. And they were amazed.

[12:06] That they could do it. And the thing was. As they come back. And we'll look at that. In just a second.

[12:16] The thing was. That was Jesus's plan. All along. It was always Jesus's plan. That they were to go out.

[12:29] And in the course of time. There was going to be a situation. That many of them would see. That a demon. Would need to be cast out. And they would. Do it. In Jesus's name.

[12:42] And so. They're just amazed. And I don't know. If you've. You've been in ministry. And it doesn't have to be. That you're in ministry. But you can serve. In all kinds of ways.

[12:53] And I've heard. So many of you. Give testimony. Oh I got to talk with my neighbor. About the gospel. And I'm just amazed. At the verses. God gave me. Or I'm amazed. The way. God allowed me to speak.

[13:04] And you know. It was just. And you're. You're just full of joy. Because God uses you. In an amazing way. That. That was their kind of situation.

[13:19] Jesus. Enjoyed that. He took joy. In that. And. And he encouraged. That joy.

[13:30] Verse 18. Verse 18. Is such an interesting verse. And he said to them. I saw Satan. Fall like lightning.

[13:40] From heaven. So what he's saying is. They're coming back. And say. Lord the demons. Were subject to us. And he's saying. There was progress.

[13:51] In the kingdom. Ah. What is exactly. Going on. I'm going to share. A few things with you. In a minute. But. This is interesting.

[14:03] Jesus. Didn't rebuke them. For casting out demons. Instead. He makes an allusion. To. To Isaiah. Chapter 14.

[14:14] In Isaiah 14. God is prophesying. That the nation. That oppressed Judah. Would taunt Babylon. When it is overthrown. And their king. Would be thrown down. From heaven.

[14:28] In Jewish traditions. Interpret Isaiah 14. And the casting down. Of the leader of Babylon. As a reference. To the casting down. Of Satan. In. And I believe.

[14:39] Exactly. Jesus. Does here too. And so. He says. To the demons. He doesn't say. What did you do that for? I didn't tell you. You could do that. Instead.

[14:51] Rather. He tells them. I saw progress. In the kingdom of God. I saw Satan. Cast down. As lightning. Jesus uses the passage.

[15:01] To point out. How the subjugation. Of demons. In the name of Jesus. To the 72. Contributes. To the casting down. Of Satan.

[15:13] Just as Judah. Would have been encouraged. To see the power of God. Cast down. The king of Babylon. That one who had persecuted them. For so long. So these disciples.

[15:25] Did. And would take courage. To see that their great enemy. Was cast down. In Jesus's name. Now. By saying all this.

[15:36] I'm not. Encouraging. Encouraging us. In a ministry. Of going out. And casting out demons. This is pointing. To something. That's going on. Where Christ. Is revealing.

[15:47] His power. And authority. And as they went out. They were surprised. That Jesus. Had allowed. Them. To do that. Thing.

[15:57] That also. Now. This passage. Touches on a theme. That we have already mentioned. In Luke. And we'll see more clearly. In a couple. Few weeks.

[16:08] As we look in the middle. Of Luke 11. But. You can look there. Luke 11. 20. And 23. We see. It says. And this is where they're.

[16:19] Accusing Jesus. Of casting out demons. By. Beelzebub. And he says. But if. If it is the finger of God. That I cast out demons. Then the kingdom of God. Has come upon you.

[16:31] When a strong man. Fully armed. Guards his own palace. His goods are safe. But when one stronger. Than he attacks him. And overcomes him. He takes away.

[16:42] His armor. In which he trusted. And divides his spoil. Whoever is not with me. Is against me. And whoever does not gather. With me. Scatter. Scatters. Now.

[16:53] The situation there. Is that Jesus. Is talking about how. If you're going to take. Spoil. From a strong man. You've got to bind him. And we see.

[17:03] In the book of Luke. And it's in other places. In scripture. But we see. In the book of Luke. This theme. Of Jesus. Binding the strong man. We saw it. In Christ. Victory over. Satan.

[17:14] In the wilderness. In the temptation. The devil. Came to him. And tempted him. And he dealt with him. By means of scripture.

[17:24] And he resisted. All the temptations. Of the devil. In a sense. Pointing to that. Binding of the strong man.

[17:36] And from there. His victory. Continued. Through his ministry. Where. We saw many places.

[17:46] Where Jesus cast out demons. Probably the most notable. Was the demoniac of Gadara. Where he. Crossed the sea. And as he landed the boat. This demon. Possessed man. Approached him.

[17:58] And Jesus. With perfect. Perfect. Authority. Commands. First of all. For the demon. To name himself. We are legion. Five.

[18:09] Six thousand demons. In this. In this one man. We are legion. And Jesus. At that point. Commands. That. Group. Of five.

[18:20] Or six thousand. To leave. This man. Perfect. And total. Authority. Over demons. He had bound. The strong man. And then. Could spoil. His goods.

[18:30] What was the goods? He spoiled. The man. Now. He didn't make him bad. He took the man. From Satan. He spoiled.

[18:43] This man. Was a spoil. A victor. Of war. Christ won. Victory. Over victory. Over. The strong man.

[18:53] Over Satan. As he cast out demons. Now. Satan's doom. Will be. Sealed. At the cross. Colossians.

[19:04] Rather. 2. 14. And 15. By canceling. The record of debt. That stood against us. With its legal demands. This. He set aside. Nailing it to the cross. He disarmed. The rulers.

[19:15] And authorities. And put them to open shame. By triumphing. Over them. In him. So there. This. The devil. Is ultimately.

[19:26] Dealt with. Or. Or. His. His feet. His. End. Is finished. There. At the cross. Ultimate.

[19:36] Victory. Will be won. Over Satan. Now. He is. A spoiled. Strong man. He's a bound. Strong man. He still has. That. Which he tries to do. But he's. A bound.

[19:47] Strong man. His. His. Victory. Has been. His. His. Defeat. Has been. Guaranteed. At the cross. Ultimately. Revelation. 20. 10. It says. And the devil. Who had deceived them.

[19:58] Was thrown into the lake of fire. And sulfur. Where the beast. And the false prophet. Were in there. And they will be tormented. Day and night. Forever and ever. So this strong man.

[20:10] Has been trying. To keep people. For himself. Has blinded the eyes. Scripture says. We'll look at that. In just a minute. He's blinded the eyes. Of people. For centuries. He still blinds eyes.

[20:22] But. Christ. Has bound him. And now. Those. Who are. His captives. Can be freed. Because of. Christ's work. Jesus. Has bound.

[20:32] The strong man. Satan. And all. He has been. Spoiling. Or. He has held. Jesus. Spoils. For good. Lord. Some. Have oppressed.

[20:43] Have been oppressed. By the devil. But he has delivered them. All have been blinded. By Satan. 2 Corinthians. 4. 4. In the case. In their case. The God of this world. Has blinded the minds.

[20:53] Of the unbelievers. To keep them. From seeing the light. Of the gospel. Of the glory of Christ. Who is the image of God. Satan. Blinds the mind. But Jesus. Has bound. The strong man.

[21:05] Jesus. Is a stronger man. And he has been rescuing people. For himself. Matthew 16. 18. And I tell you. You are Peter. And on this rock. I will build my church.

[21:16] And the gates. Of hell. Shall not prevail. Against it. And so. Jesus has sent out. These 72. They didn't know. They could cast out demons.

[21:29] But they found. That in Jesus name. They could cast out demons. And when they came back. Full of joy. Jesus enjoyed them. Being full of joy.

[21:40] And said. I saw Satan. Falling as lightning. From heaven. Now it doesn't mean. That Satan was done. Doing what he could do. But they were. Serving Christ.

[21:52] As Christ. Spoiled that strong man. And they were preaching. The gospel. And people were hearing it. And people were responding. To it. They were receiving it. To use the language.

[22:02] Of Luke 10. And so. Satan was seeing. More. And more defeat. That gave Jesus joy.

[22:16] And Jesus explained. Their joy. They saw. That the demon. This is verses 18 and 19. They saw. That the demons. Were subject to them.

[22:27] In the name of Jesus. Because Jesus. Had given them authority. And so Jesus. Is explaining. The situation. After the fact. And he uses. Some interesting words.

[22:41] 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. Wow.

[22:52] What's he talking. About here. He's telling them. He's given them. This authority. To protect them. The language. Of treading on serpents. And scorpions. Is used. In the Old Testament.

[23:03] To speak of God. Protecting his own. Deuteronomy 8. 15. Speaking of Israel. As they walk through. The wilderness. It says. Who led you. Through the great.

[23:13] And terrifying wilderness. With its fiery. Serpents. And scorpions. And thirsty ground. Where there was no water. Who brought you. Water out of the flinty rock. Also from Psalm 91.

[23:25] Verse 13. You will tread on the lion. And on the adder. And the young lion. And the serpent. You will trample underfoot. These verses are not saying.

[23:36] That a Christian. Will never be hurt. But God's people. Doing God's work. Will protect it. To be able to do that work. That he's called them to do. And so Jesus.

[23:50] Tells them. That he had given them. Authority. To enable them. To carry out. The mission. That he had sent them on. How's that relate to us? That doesn't mean.

[24:01] That we're to go. You know. Oh I'm going to walk. Into a snake cage. That's. That's not what these verses. Are talking about. These verses. Are talking about. When we go forth.

[24:12] With the gospel. We go forth. In the power. In the authority of Christ. He's the one. Who does the work. He will carry us through it. He will enable us. To share the gospel.

[24:22] Effectively. Paul. Did not die. Until he got to the place. After he got to the place. Where God promised him. God promised him. He would preach.

[24:33] And speak. Before Caesar. And he did. And the shipwreck. Couldn't stop him. The snake. Who built him. Bit him. On the island of Malta.

[24:44] Couldn't stop him. He was safe. In God's plan. Until. He'd finished. God's plan. That's true. Of all of us. Jesus said to them.

[24:55] I've given you authority. To enable you. To carry out. The mission. That I've sent you on. And of course. They're still very excited. About this. And as well.

[25:06] They should be. God enables us. To do things. For him. And we see things. That just. As I mentioned. You might be sharing. The gospel. With your neighbor. And go.

[25:17] I can't believe. How God gave me scripture. I never even thought. About those. And yet. Those come to mind. The spirit led me. To say those things. Or you know. Whatever. Whatever way.

[25:27] It works out. Those are things. To be glad for. Those are things. To be excited about. But our rejoicing. Should not be centered. Around.

[25:37] The enabling. God gives. To carry out. His will. Jesus. Is glad. For their joy. He focuses it. Says. Okay.

[25:48] That's going to end. Someday. When we get to heaven. You will not. Have to worry about. Someone needing. To cast out demons.

[26:00] It'll all be done. But when you get to heaven. You will spend. All eternity. Talking about. My name's written in heaven. You will spend.

[26:12] All eternity. Talking about. Jesus died for me. I'm a child of his. And that. Is. To be. Our supreme joy.

[26:23] He's not trying. To dampen their joy. He's trying. To build it. To remind them. Of that which is. Central. To your joy. That which. We. As Christians.

[26:33] Today. Ought to think about. Every day. Frequently. I am his. And he is mine. He has taken. My place. I have his righteousness.

[26:44] He has taken. My sin. These kind of things. Ought to envelop. And be our. Our main. Thinking. Our main. Rejoicing. Every day. So he's not trying.

[26:56] To diminish. Their joy. Saying. Oh. Guys. That's great. But just remember. Your name's written. In heaven. You.

[27:06] Are. One of mine. Well. Jesus goes on. And the second part. Of the passage. We have a situation.

[27:18] Where. Starting. In. In verse. Twenty. One. We have a situation. Where he begins. By speaking. To the father. And then he speaks.

[27:30] A statement. That doesn't seem. To be addressed. To anybody. But it's no longer. Part of his prayer. It's a statement. That is. Just for general. For the folks around. And then he turns.

[27:40] And speaks. Privately. To the disciples. Whether to the. Seventy. Two. Or to the twelve. We're not sure. But. Luke. Ten. Twenty. One.

[27:50] Jesus. Begins. Expressing his joy. It says. Jesus. Rejoiced. In the Holy Spirit. Now. We can get.

[28:02] From doing. Some study here. That Jesus. Wasn't just happy. His word. Is stronger. Than that. I like. The way. An old. Commentator. Put it.

[28:12] An old. Commentator. By the name. Of Moffitt. Who said. That Jesus. Was. Thrilled. With joy. Thrilled. With joy. The idea. That it wasn't just.

[28:23] It put a little smile. On his face. It was that. Joy. That a grandparent. See. It's greater than that. Much greater than that. But. But if you're a grandparent. Watching.

[28:35] Your grandchild. Run up to you. And wanting. To hug you. Telling you. You love them. I mean. That's like. Gold. Or a mom and her dad. Getting the same thing.

[28:46] I mean. That's gold. Gold. This is better than that. Jesus. Is about to express. That which. Thrills him. With joy. And so.

[28:59] Let's look. And see. What's here. The next few verses. Indicate that Jesus. Rejoicing. In what his. Father. Was going to do. In his. In his.

[29:10] Disciples. Or what the father. Was doing. In his disciples. Zephaniah 3. 16 and 17. Says. On that day. It will be said. To Jerusalem.

[29:20] Fear not. O Zion. Let not your hands. Grow weak. The Lord. Your God. Is in your midst. A mighty one. Who will save. He will rejoice. Over you. With gladness.

[29:31] He will quiet you. With his love. By his love. He will exalt. Over you. With singing. That was the phrase. I'm looking for.

[29:42] He will exalt. Over you. With singing. I think it carries. That same thinking. As Jesus. Has watched. His disciples. Come back.

[29:53] Full of joy. Seeing what God. Has done. Through them. In his name. It brings. Joy to them. And he tells them. I. I gave you. That ability.

[30:04] To protect you. To advance. The kingdom. Him. And then. His. His. And he says.

[30:14] Be careful though. The most important. Joy. Is the work. Of salvation. On your behalf. And it just. Causes. Him. To well up.

[30:25] And as it were. Like. Sing. For joy. Over us. Sing. For joy. To the father. In verse. The first half. Of verse 21. Jesus's joy.

[30:37] Is because. The father. Has graciously. Revealed. These things. To little children. Now. First of all. He gives this. Not to the wise. And the prudent. But to little children. What's going on there?

[30:49] Jesus didn't. He never chose. The wise. And the prudent. He didn't choose. To reveal the things. To the scribes. And Pharisees. He didn't choose. To reveal them. To the high priest.

[30:59] He would have welcomed. If they wanted. To know about it. But none of them. It's the idea. Of more. Than just. Here it is. God's working. To help them see it.

[31:10] Help them understand it. And God didn't choose. To go. To the wise. And the understanding. Who might have thought. I'm glad. I figured that out. But rather.

[31:21] To those. Who have never. Have gotten it. When he's talking. About children. He's trying. Not trying to insult them. But he's talking about. The ones. Who were nothing.

[31:31] In people's eyes. Remember I told you. The attitude. Towards children. In this day and age. Was. Well you know. They're cute. They're nice to have around. We love them. But they don't count for anything.

[31:46] And so. When he says. That he was. He was overjoyed. That the father. Revealed. These things. Not to those people. Who thought they were smart. But the people.

[31:57] Who wouldn't have gotten it. The people. Who didn't care. Or didn't. It didn't matter. Is a better way to put it. The father.

[32:09] Is revealing. What he's doing. To those who are. Insignificant. And do not have a clue. He cherishes that.

[32:21] I cherish that. Because. I know. And I'm not trying to be. Self-effacing. Or self-abasing. I know. I'm the one. Who wouldn't have gotten it.

[32:32] If God had never. Stepped in. And said. Let me show it to Dave. Otherwise. He'll never get it. And he did.

[32:44] And to any one of you. Who know Christ. You can see that. As what he did for you. He revealed himself. To you. Remember. You were blind. And you're dead. In your sin.

[32:55] You would have never. Never gotten it. And Jesus. Is just. Thrilled. Beyond words. That his father. Has done this. He is glad.

[33:07] That God. Has brought. You. To himself. And then Jesus. Goes on. And says.

[33:20] This is. Just kind of a statement. To those people around. The father. Has handed. Over all things. To him. Now. I'm going to be up front. I'm.

[33:31] Struggled. With understanding this. All the. The depths of it. And. And I'm not alone. Most people. Skipped. This phrase. I'm just going to give a couple.

[33:42] Of summations. That I think. One of the things. That's important to know. Is that the father. Has. Given over. All things. To Christ. And we know. That's to be true. We know that is true.

[33:52] From scripture. Some say. That this means. That God has given. The father. Has given the son. All the things. That he needed. To carry out. His work. Of redemption.

[34:02] Which is certainly true. But. I. I'll just quote. These two verses. To you. As some sort. Of an explanation. Something you can.

[34:13] Meditate on. Matthew 28. 18. And Jesus. Came. And said to them. All authority. In heaven. And on earth. Has been given. To me. And then.

[34:25] Ephesians 1. 21 and 22. Far above. All rule. And authority. This is how Christ. Has been exalted. Far above. All rule. And authority. And power. And dominion. And above. Every name.

[34:35] That is named. Not only in this age. But also in the one to come. And he has put all things. Under his feet. Gave him. As head. Over all things. Now if this was us.

[34:49] And we said. The father has given me. All authority. We'd be going. That maniacal laugh. But Jesus. He has this thinking.

[35:00] Because of what he's doing. For these. This whole passage. Is about what. Those who would never have gotten it. Are shown. And so.

[35:11] Even this. Is part. Of Jesus's. Immense joy. For what the father was doing. And. Whatever the full measure.

[35:23] Of what it means. That all things were. Put under his authority. He's glad for it. And he's glad for it. Because of what. God is doing for us. He goes on.

[35:36] In the second half. Of verse 22. And talks about how. No one knows the. Son. But the father. No one knows the father.

[35:46] But the son. Do you know why that is? It's because he's God. He is. Other. He's not like us.

[35:57] I mean. Yes. We're made in his image. But he is so different. There's no way. We could conceive. Of who and what God is.

[36:10] If he didn't show us. Romans talks about how we know there's a God. And that he rules. And we ought to submit to him.

[36:21] But it doesn't explain anything about who God is. Or what he's like. Not. Not. One. Being. In the universe.

[36:32] With the exception of Jesus Christ. Could explain to us. What God was like. But let me read that verse. 10.

[36:43] 22. All things have been handed over to me. By my father. And no one knows the son. Except the father. Yes.

[36:55] And no one knows who the son is. Except the father. Or who the father is. Except the son. And anyone. To whom the son. Reveals. Chooses to reveal him.

[37:08] Jesus has this immense joy. Because no one knows them. Except each other. One of the reasons. Jesus took on flesh.

[37:19] The ultimate reason. Was to die for us. Because we're sinners. And we're hopeless. And we're helpless. But one of the reasons. Jesus took on flesh. Was to be able to reveal God.

[37:31] To us. Thomas. When Jesus was talking about going away. And you know the way. And they said. We don't know the way. And Thomas.

[37:42] Said show us the father. In John 14. 9. Jesus said to him. You know this was Philip. Not Thomas. Jesus said to him. Have I been. With you so long. And you still don't.

[37:52] Not know me Philip. Whoever has seen me. Has seen the father. How can you say. Show us the father. Jesus is the only way.

[38:03] We would know anything. And Jesus now. Has this tremendous joy. Why? Because. God the father.

[38:13] Is revealing God. To his disciples. Through Jesus. Their only hope. Their greatest joy.

[38:25] Their greatest blessing. One of the things. That we enjoy most. About worship. Is understanding. Little bits and pieces. More about God. God. This morning.

[38:37] In Isaiah 53. It's that vision of. What we really are. Versus what God did for us. We wouldn't know that.

[38:49] If Jesus hadn't revealed. God to us. And so Jesus is just. Thrilled. That God is doing this. It gives the son.

[39:01] Great joy. To reveal the father. To his people. And lastly. Jesus. Has this joy.

[39:12] Because he's been able. To reveal to the disciples. What kings and prophets. Have longed to see. And hear. And this is verses. 23 and 24. Can you imagine.

[39:23] Being Isaiah. Writing. Isaiah 52. And 53. What would be.

[39:34] Your number one request. I think it would be. I want to see this one. Who's willing. To die.

[39:45] For a lost sheep. Like me. And grow old. And never see that one. Trust that one.

[39:55] But never see that one. Can you imagine. Being David. The king. God came to you.

[40:06] And promised. That one of your sons. Will rule on your throne. Forever. And this son. Will be your lord. I'd want to see that.

[40:20] But he never did. He died. He died. Trusting. That it would come true. Trusting. In God. But he didn't get to see it. Scripture talks about how.

[40:33] Angels look into our salvation. But scripture also points to the fact. That old testament prophets. Prophesied about. Who Jesus was. And what he would do.

[40:44] And not one of them. Got to see it. And Jesus turns to his disciples. Privately. And he says. And this is part of his joy.

[41:01] I am glad. Let me just read it. Verses 22 and 24. Then turning to the disciples. He said. Privacy. Privately. Blessed. Are the eyes.

[41:11] That see what you see. For I tell you. Many prophets. And kings. Desired to see what you see. And did not see it. And hear what you hear. And did not hear it.

[41:27] He is thrilled. That they get to see. What God is doing. God. Through Jesus. Revealed.

[41:38] To the 12. To the 72. To his disciples. That he had come. To fulfill all these prophecies. He had come.

[41:48] To provide redemption for them. Brothers and sisters. Jesus. Has revealed that.

[41:59] To his people. To you. And it brings him. Immense joy. That you know.

[42:11] That Jesus came to die for you. It has been his joyous thrill. To show us what God. Has done. And is doing.

[42:24] It is his thrill. To bring. Or to show us the father. Father. And so let me just. Let me ask.

[42:35] Three questions. Or make three statements. Why is this here? Why is this. Set of verses. In here. Well. I think it is.

[42:46] To get those of us. Who are his disciples. To realize the wonder. Of what we have. We have. We have something. An understanding.

[42:57] Of something. That if he didn't show us. We would never see. And he is not up in heaven. Going.

[43:09] Oh. Sorry. Gabriel. Another one figured it out. We are going to have another one. Make room for another one. It has been his joy. To see his people.

[43:20] Come to know you. Brothers and sisters. We have our names. Those of us who are trusting. Christ as savior. We have our names. Written in heaven. We get to operate.

[43:35] With the authority. That Jesus gives us. Part of that authority. That he gives us. Jesus uses. As a means. To cast out Satan.

[43:48] The father. Has graciously. Chosen. To reveal these things. To us. And only God. Can reveal God. So we are blessed. That the son.

[43:58] That we have. The son of God. The one who took on flesh. Who's come to reveal God. To us. And we have seen. That which for many king. Which many kings. And prophets.

[44:09] Have desired to see. And to hear. But we're not able. Your salvation. Ought to be. Your greatest joy. And your daily.

[44:21] Constant joy. Secondly. I want us to see. Just by way. Quick review. See how Christ. Was thrilled with joy. Jubilant joy.

[44:32] At what the disciples. Were learning. Of what God was doing. In and through them. And we ought to rejoice. In that also. And finally friend.

[44:45] Did you see. That these disciples. Got to see. What the kings. And prophets. Desired to see. In here. They got to see. What were the details.

[44:56] Of the work. Jesus the Messiah. Would do for his people. Scripture points out. In Genesis 3. That some. That man. Had fallen in sin. And someone.

[45:07] Would come. In verse 15. That would deal. With the result. Of that fall. All of God's people. In the Old Testament. Look for how God. Would provide that salvation. They believe God.

[45:18] Would provide it. But they didn't see it. They hoped. In the promise. Jesus is the one. The whole Old Testament. Spoke of. Who would come.

[45:28] To suffer. That those. Who trust him. Would be delivered. From their sin. He is the one. All men. Must trust in. To provide. Redemption. For their own sin.

[45:40] And I would encourage you. Today. To trust Christ. If you have not already. Let's pray. Father.

[45:51] We thank you. For the picture. That is here. We thank you. For the wonder. Of. How. You have revealed. Yourself. And the wonder.

[46:03] Of your. Salvation. That you've provided. I pray. That you would be with us. May. Our daily. Rejoicing. And joy. Be that. Salvation. That's.

[46:14] Provided for us. And pray. That you would. Help us to know. More and more. Of the father. Help us to know. More and more. Of the son. And we. May we be more.

[46:24]  And more like him. And we pray in Jesus name. Amen.