Just get him a box for Christmas - He'll still be excited.

The seventy returned with joy, saying, "Lord, even the demons are subject to us in Your name."

Luke 10:17

Wow, If this had happened to me, I'd be right there with those disciples saying: "Isn't this COOL. Even the demons were listening..." But the interesting thing is not the capabilities that the Lord had given them, but his response:

...Behold, I have given you authority to tread on serpents and scorpions, and over all the power of the enemy, and nothing will injure you. Nevertheless do not rejoice in this, that the spirits are subject to you, but rejoice that your names are recorded in heaven...

Luke 10:18-20

Why on earth would Christ answer them like this? I mean, after all these are absolutely incredible gifts. Why shouldn't they be excited?

Have you ever seen a little kid at Christmas? I have a niece. When she was younger, we would give her an amazing Christmas gift and she would be so excited to receive it. About 5 minutes later, she would be off playing; however, she wouldn't be playing with the gift - she'd be playing with the wrapping paper and box. She had just received the coolest toy in the world - and yet she was busy playing with the cardboard box and wrapping paper.

I think that's what Christ saw happening here. The disciples had gotten the most amazing gift - salvation. But, they were so busy playing with the fringe benefits - the "spiritual wrapping paper" that they were missing out on the greatest present ever. That is why the Lord had to remind them of the real gift.

Unfortunately, I am just like my niece and these disciples. "Just get me a box and I'll be excited." I get so distracted by all the little things that Christ has given to me that I miss out on rejoicing in that ultimate gift - my salvation. As we head into the Christmas season, its apropriate for me to remember that I shouldn't get so excited by the spiritual wrapping paper, that I miss out on the ultimate gift itself.

I know it's been a while since I've posted here. I've got a backlog that I'll be posting over the next few days.