"The 72 returned with joy and said, "Lord, even the demons submit to us in your name."

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: 17-20

Over the years the Ministry of Tourism personnel have traveled the globe selling The Bahamas as a desired place to vacation. To assist in this endeavor, the ministry uses many of our best entertainers.

These men are referred to as ambassadors of the country. They represent the interest of The Bahamas, not themselves. This they know very well. During their visit to these foreign soils, they focus on The Bahamas and overwhelm the citizens of the countries they visit, telling and showing what wonders exist in The Bahamas, their home.

Ambassadors are to never lose sight of the overall goal. That is to give people a wow experience and cause them to visit The Bahamas at first opportunity.

The above text tells a story and gives us a reflection of ourselves. We often get wrapped up in our own thrills. As a result, we forget or neglect the objective of our mission.

In the text, Jesus appoints 72 disciples and sends them out in pairs. They are to go out and evangelize. In commissioning these disciples, Jesus gives them great powers, to work miracles. Upon returning to base camp, to give a report to Jesus, the disciples are fascinated. They tell about the wonderful things that they were able to do in Jesus' name.

They are both joyful and surprised that they were able to do the miracles they did. "Lord," they said, "even the demons submit to us in your name."

God gives his church here on earth certain powers. However this should not make us who are in, or a part of the church feel that we are special.

In times past God has used some unusual people to carry out his plan. Yes, God's gifts come to everyone, even those who are out of the church.

When we accomplish great things in Jesus' name, we should not sit around complimenting ourselves, talking about our accomplishments. We are only the agents. God uses us as conduits.

Many times we in the church lose sight of heavenly things. We get caught up in the peripheral.

Jesus wants us to stay focused on heavenly things. All that we do comes to naught if our relationship with God is not right. The mission of the church is most important. We should be thankful that he uses us in his mission.

Jesus makes this point to the disciples. They are to rejoice about heavenly things, not the fact that they were able to do some miracles. It was more important that they rejoice about their names being written in heaven.

Being able to do wonders in the name of God does not mean that we automatically have a way into Kingdom of God. Our good names do not make us right with God. The works we do in the church do not make us right with God.

Therefore we should not get caught up in our own self-righteousness. It is important that we, in our Christian walk, stay grounded in Christ Jesus. Stay focused on the cross. Jesus died for our sins, not us. Amen.

o Reverend Samuel M. Boodle, pastor at The Lutheran Church of Nassau, can be reached at P.O. Box N 4794, Nassau, Bahamas, or telephone 426-9084; E-mail: lutheranchurch@coralwave.com.

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