The seventy-two have returned from their mission, one for which they were seemingly ill-equipped. Yet they have been victorious: their obedience and humility allowed them to triumph even over demons. It would be easy to get a big head over such an experience! But Jesus says to them what we all might desire to bear in mind as a guard not only against pride, but also despair:
“Do not rejoice because the spirits are subject to you, but rejoice because your names are written in heaven.”
In other words, defeating demons is nothing. You can gain fame and respect and confidence for doing so, but what is that compared to being known and loved by God in Heaven: by having your name written in His book? Let us cling to that both in times of victory and defeat, for what the world writes of us will fade away, but what is written in Heaven is forever.