AUTHORITY

When seeking to understand the power and authority of the Son of God, we need look no further than this passage ...

Now when Jesus had entered Capernaum, a centurion came to Him, pleading with Him, saying, 'Lord, my servant is lying at home paralyzed, dreadfully tormented'. Matthew 8:5-6

It seems that everything about this man would have prevented him from coming to Christ. He was a professional soldier; Jesus was a Man of peace. He was a Gentile; Jesus was a Jew. Yet, by faith, he came.

And Jesus said to him, 'I will come and heal him'. The centurion answered and said, "Lord, I am not worthy that You should come under my roof. But only speak a word, and my servant will be healed. For I also am a man under authority, having soldiers under me. And I say to this one, ‘Go,’ and he goes; and to another, ‘Come,’ and he comes; and to my servant, ‘Do this,’ and he does it.” Matthew 8:7-9

The centurion had an exalted view of Christ, a lowly view of himself, and a caring view of others. Is this not the attitude one should have when prayerfully approaching the Lord of Glory?

When Jesus heard this, he was amazed and said to those following him, 'Truly I tell you, I have not found anyone in Israel with such great faith'. Then Jesus said to the centurion, 'Go your way; and as you have believed, so let it be done for you'. And his servant was healed that same hour.  Matthew 8:10,13

Much like that ailing servant, we are physically separated from our Savior. We cannot see Him, nor hear Him, nor touch Him. But ... He can see, hear, and touch those, who by faith recognize His divine authority to do so. 

The Gospel of Jesus Christ has been laid out before this current 'sin-sick' generation. A 'healing' depends on its response to the Holy Spirit's call to repent and believe. 

It requires 'centurion-like' faith ... a steadfast belief that God is willing and able to save.