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Jesus’ Authority

Read Matthew 8:5-13

The centurion was a Roman commander in charge of 100 soldiers (similar to a captain in the Australian army). The Roman army had a very clear command structure. Jesus referred to this in Matthew 21:22 when he said, “The rulers of the Gentiles lord it over them, and their high officials exercise authority over them.” If you were one of the centurion’s soldiers, you did exactly what you were told or else. Exactly what you were told! There was no discussion or debate or excuse. You completely submitted to those in authority over you.

The centurion brought this model to his thinking about spiritual authority. In his mind, it was black and white. If Jesus was in charge, then every disease or demon, or distress was under his authority. Jesus didn’t need to bargain or argue or persuade. He was the boss. He didn’t even need to be physically present for healing. He could just “say the word.” That’s how powerful the centurion believed Jesus was. 

After dealing with the skeptical Jewish religious leaders and the fickle crowds, the centurion’s black and white faith came as a breath of fresh air to Jesus. He was bowled over by such rock-solid belief. And the guy was a Roman not even a Jew. Jesus said, “I have not found anyone in Israel with such great faith.” 

Personally, I’m into shades of grey. I wouldn’t have lasted long in the Roman army. Very few things are absolutely clear-cut to me. This is a great advantage when dealing with broken people (like myself), but I wonder if it’s a significant barrier to big faith. When it comes to the lordship of Jesus, we either believe that he has complete authority, or we don’t. We either believe that he can save our family, or heal the sick, or renew our church, or bring revival, or transform our nation, or we don’t. 

This is not to say that Jesus will necessarily do all these things. But the question here is, “Do I believe that he has complete authority or not?” That’s how big faith begins. Jesus himself said, “All authority on heaven and on earth has been given to me” (Matthew 28:18). We either believe that or we don’t. A key part of our corporate and personal worship is declaring that Jesus has all authority. Great faith is always preceded by great worship.