ACC ~ Luke 10 v17 - 24

OVERVIEW:

This power over the devil confirms the Word that Christ has sent them to preach. Satan falls from heaven because Jesus has come from heaven to defeat him (CYRIL OF ALEXANDRIA). Like lightning that flashes for a moment and is gone, so also is Satan’s power vanquished as he falls beneath the victory of the cross that crushes him as was foretold in Genesis (EPHREM THE SYRIAN). The power of the disciples to trample on serpents and scorpions comes from the reality that Christ has crushed the Serpent’s head, for even when they are poisoned by scorpions and serpents, Christ heals them through the medicine of his wounds on the cross (MAXIMUS OF TURIN). Christ subdues Satan in his baptism in the Jordan and thereby gives us power through our common baptism with him (CYRIL OF JERUSALEM).

They are to rejoice not in the apostolic honors they have been given, but that their names are written in God’s book of life beside the names of Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, and all the chosen people of old. Jesus rejoices in the enlightenment of those in darkness (CYRIL OF ALEXANDRIA). Children are ready for salvation more than the worldly wise (CLEMENT OF ALEXANDRIa). The Son knows the Father perfectly because he is from God (CHRYSOSTOM). The power of the kingdom of God—casting out demons, cleansing lepers, raising the dead—has now been given to the disciples, a gift not even bestowed on kings and prophets (CYRIL OF ALEXANDRIA).

10:17-20 | The Disciples’ Joy over Triumph Against Demons

POWER CONFIRMS THE WORD THAT THEY PREACH

CYRIL OF ALEXANDRIA: According to Christ’s declaration, the harvest indeed was great, but the laborers were few. In addition to those first chosen, he appointed seventy others and sent them to every village and city of Judea before his face to be his forerunners and to preach the things that belonged to him.

The authority that they carried to rebuke evil spirits and the power of crushing Satan was not given to them that they might be regarded with admiration. It was given to them so that Christ would be glorified by their means. Those whom they taught would believe that he was by nature God and the Son of God. He was invested with so great glory and supremacy and might, as to be even able to bestow upon others the power of trampling Satan under their feet. COMMENTARY ON LUKE, HOMILY 64. [1]

[1] CGSL 273-74**.

SATAN FALLS LIKE LIGHTNING FROM HEAVEN

CYRIL OF ALEXANDRIA: What is Christ’s reply? “I saw Satan fall like lightning from heaven.” That is, “I am aware of this, because as you set out on this journey by my will, you have conquered Satan. I saw him fall like lightning from heaven.” This means that he was thrown down from on high to earth, from overweening pride to humiliation, from glory to contempt, from great power to utter weakness. The saying is true, because before the coming of the Savior, he possessed the world. All was subject to him, and there was no one able to escape the trap of his overwhelming might. Everyone worshiped him. He had temples and altars for sacrifice everywhere and had an innumerable multitude of worshipers. Since the only-begotten Word of God came down from heaven, he has fallen like lightning. COMMENTARY ON LUKE, HOMILY 64. [1]

[1] CGSL 274**.

THE VICTORY OF THE CROSS CRUSHES SATAN

EPHREM THE SYRIAN: “I was looking at Satan, who fell like lightning from the heavens.” It was not that he was actually in the heavens. He was not in them when he said, “I will place my throne above the stars,” [1] but he fell from his greatness and his dominion. “I was looking at Satan, who fell like lightning from the heavens.” He did not fall from heaven, because lightning does not fall from heaven, since the clouds create it. Why then did he say “from the heavens”? This was because it was as though it was from the heavens, as if lightning which comes suddenly. In one second, Satan fell beneath the victory of the cross. Ordinary people were anointed and sent out by reason of their mission and were highly successful in a second, through miracles of healing those in pain, sickness and evil spirits. It was affirmed that Satan suddenly fell from his dominion, like lightning from the clouds. Just as lightning goes out and does not return to its place, so too did Satan fall and did not again have control over his dominion. “Behold, I am giving you dominion.” COMMENTARY ON TATIAN’S DIATESSARON 10.13. [2]

[1] Is 14:13.

[2] ECTD 172**.

CHRIST HEALS US THROUGH THE CROSS

MAXIMUS OF TURIN: Since we possess the Lord Jesus who has freed us by his suffering, let us always look on him and hope for medicine for our wounds from his sign. That is to say, if perhaps the poison of greed spreads in us, we should look to him, and he will heal us. If the malicious desire of the scorpion stings us, we should beg him, and he will cure us. If bites of worldly thoughts tear us, we should ask him, and we will live. These are the spiritual serpents of our souls. The Lord was crucified in order to crush them. He says concerning them, “You will tread upon serpents and scorpions, and they will do no harm to you.” SERMON 37.5. [1]

[1] ACW 50:92*.

CHRIST’S BAPTISM GIVES THE BAPTIZED DIGNITY

CYRIL OF JERUSALEM: He [Jesus] was not baptized to receive the forgiveness of sins. He was without sin. Being sinless, still he was baptized so that he might give grace and dignity to those who receive the sacrament. “Since the children share in flesh and blood, so he in like manner has shared in these,” [1] that we, sharing his incarnate life, might also share his divine grace. Jesus was baptized that we in turn also made here partakers with him, might receive not only salvation but also the dignity. CATECHETICAL LECTURES 3.11. [2]

[1] :1–24:53 PRELIMINARY REMARKS | ON THE GOSPEL

[2] FC 61:115**.

DISCIPLES NOT TO REJOICE IN APOSTOLIC HONORS

CYRIL OF ALEXANDRIA: To rejoice only in the fact that they were able to work miracles and crush the herds of demons was possibly likely to produce in them the desire of arrogance. The neighbor and relative of this passion constantly is pride. Most usefully the Savior of all rebukes the first boasting and quickly cuts away the root that sprang up in them—the shameful love of glory. He was imitating good farmers who, when they see a thorn springing up in their parks or gardens, immediately tear it up with the blade of the pickax before it strikes its root deep. COMMENTARY ON LUKE, HOMILY 64. [1]

[1] CGSL 275-76**.

10:21-22 | Jesus’ Praise to the Father

JESUS REJOICES IN THE HOLY SPIRIT

CYRIL OF ALEXANDRIA: He sent them, decorated with apostolic dignity and distinguished by the work of the grace of the Holy Spirit. He gave them power over unclean spirits to cast them out. Having performed many miracles, they returned, saying, “Lord, even the devils are subject to us in your name.” As I have already said, he was full of joy, or rather of exultation because he knew that those he sent had benefited many, and they, above all others, had learned his glory by experience. Being good and loving to humanity and wishing that all should be saved, he found his reason for rejoicing in the conversion of those who were in error, the enlightenment of those in darkness, and the acknowledgment of his glory by those who were without knowledge and instruction. COMMENTARY ON LUKE, HOMILY 65. [1]

[1] CGSL 277-78**.

CHILDREN READY FOR SALVATION MORE THAN WORLDLY WISE

CLEMENT OF ALEXANDRIA: After we have repented of our sins, renounced our wickedness, and have been purified by baptism, we turn back to the eternal light, as children to their Father. “Rejoicing in the spirit, Jesus said, ‘I praise you, Father, God of heaven and earth, that you have hidden these things from the wise and prudent, and revealed them to little ones.’” The Educator and Teacher is naming us “little ones,” meaning that we are more ready for salvation than the worldly wise who, believing themselves wise, have blinded their own eyes. He cries out in joy and in great delight, as if attuning himself to the spirit of the little ones, “Yes, Father, for such was your good pleasure.” That is why he has revealed to little ones what has been hid from the wise and prudent of this world. CHRIST THE EDUCATOR 1.6. [1]

[1] FC 23:31-32*.

THE SON KNOWS THE FATHER PERFECTLY

CHRYSOSTOM: The proof that the Son knows the Father perfectly rests on the fact that he is “the one who is from God.” The Son has clear knowledge of the Father, because he is from God. The fact that he is from God is a sign and indication that he knows him clearly. An inferior essence would not be able to have clear knowledge of a superior essence, even if the difference between them were slight. ON THE INCOMPREHENSIBLE NATURE OF GOD 5.25. [1]

[1] FC 72:148*.

10:23-24 | Jesus’ Beatitude on the Disciples

THE POWER OF THE KINGDOM OF GOD

CYRIL OF ALEXANDRIA: He also gave the holy apostles power and might even to raise the dead, cleanse lepers, heal the sick, and by the laying on of hands to call down from heaven the Holy Spirit on anyone they wanted. He gave them power to bind and to loose people’s sins. His words are “I say to you, whatever you will bind on earth, will be bound in heaven. [1] Whatever you will loose on earth, will be loosed in heaven.” These are the things we see ourselves possessing. Blessed are our eyes and the eyes of those of all who love him. We have heard his wonderful teaching. He has given us the knowledge of God the Father, and he has shown him to us in his own nature. The things that were by Moses were only types and symbols. Christ has revealed the truth to us. He has taught us that not by blood and smoke, but rather by spiritual sacrifices, we must honor him who is spiritual, immaterial and above all understanding. COMMENTARY ON LUKE, HOMILY 67. [2]

[1] Mt 18:18.

[2] CGSL 286**.