The seventy returned with joy, saying, “Lord, even the demons are subject to us in your name!” And he said to them, “I saw Satan fall like lightning from heaven. Behold, I have given you authority to tread upon serpents and scorpions, and over all the power of the enemy; and nothing shall hurt you. Nevertheless do not rejoice in this, that the spirits are subject to you; but rejoice that your names are written in heaven.” Luke 10:17–20
I joke about skipping class at seminary when they taught about pastoral ministry during a pandemic. I know I missed the snake and scorpion treading class.
Lutherans do not lift one passage of Scripture and build a theology around it. We read the Bible as a whole, allowing its witness to speak to us. We do believe that Jesus has given the Church authority to accomplish many things. Our chief authority is to proclaim the Gospel, forgive sins and administer the Holy Sacraments.
If snake and scorpion treading or speaking in tongues at every worship were the best way to make Jesus known, we would be doing it. We recognize that some may have these gifts, but the main gift we have is telling others about Jesus.
The greatest wonder we can perform is our faithful, daily devotion to our Lord. We share the faith God has given us through the Holy Spirit. It is a miracle above all others.