Prior to the coming of Jesus, the Messiah, the world still saw God as a national God and not a personal one. His spirit was poured out onto Prophets, priests, and kings. So, when these teams were deployed, and the Spirit filled and worked through them; it marked a dramatic change in God’s relationship with His people. The teams were excited and amazed that they had God’s power since they were just plain folks. Jesus was excited as well, because finally God allowed others to recognize His power in their lives. Those people would one day change the world.
The last verse, 23 expresses the import of the change. Jesus says to His main guys, “Blessed are you in what you have seen and heard. Prophets and Kings wanted to see and hear that but were unable.” Jesus brought the significance of the personal relationship with God home to His disciples. He also brings that to us. We can and do experience the relationship with God that was experienced by these disciples. It is the same relationship enjoyed by the prophets, by Kings, by Moses. We can reach out to God and seek His leadership and personal touch as did David and Daniel. He takes a personal interest in our lives and gives us the ability to impact the lives of others. There is little wonder that Jesus was so excited upon these people’s return. The great news is He shares that sane excitement when we grasp the personal nature of our relationship with Him.
God Bless You
7 The seventy-two returned with joy and said, “Lord, even the demons submit to us in your name.”
18 He replied, “I saw Satan fall like lightning from heaven. 19 I have given you authority to trample on snakes and scorpions and to overcome all the power of the enemy; nothing will harm you. 20 However, do not rejoice that the spirits submit to you, but rejoice that your names are written in heaven.”
21 At that time Jesus, full of joy through the Holy Spirit, said, “I praise you, Father, Lord of heaven and earth, because you have hidden these things from the wise and learned, and revealed them to little children. Yes, Father, for this is what you were pleased to do.
22 “All things have been committed to me by my Father. No one knows who the Son is except the Father, and no one knows who the Father is except the Son and those to whom the Son chooses to reveal him.”
23 Then he turned to his disciples and said privately, “Blessed are the eyes that see what you see. 24 For I tell you that many prophets and kings wanted to see what you see but did not see it, and to hear what you hear but did not hear it.”
Walking With God 