Being a military guy, I love the account of the Centurion in Matthew 8:5-10:
When Jesus had entered Capernaum, a centurion came to him, asking for help. “Lord,” he said, “my servant lies at home paralyzed and in terrible suffering.”
Jesus said to him, “I will go and heal him.”
The centurion replied, “Lord, I do not deserve to have you come under my roof. But just say the word, and my servant will be healed. For I myself am a man under authority, with soldiers under me. I tell this one, ‘Go,’ and he goes; and that one, ‘Come,’ and he comes. I say to my servant, ‘Do this,’ and he does it.”
When Jesus heard this, he was astonished and said to those following him, “I tell you the truth, I have not found anyone in Israel with such great faith.
Understanding Authority
For the past 10 years, I’ve lived a lifestyle that is established on authority. I have had authority over some, and I am under the authority of others. In the military, it is essential that orders are followed–in the most drastic cases, it could mean life or death. In day-to-day work, authority is just as important–it’s the way work is completed, efficiently and quickly.
So I identify with the centurion here, and I can accept the ultimate authority of Jesus in my life. I take his words at face value, and I know his promises will be accomplished. I’m trained and conditioned to follow the direction of my leaders. I don’t do it blindly, but my leaders have earned my trust through their words and actions, and their willingness to sacrifice for the mission.
In the same way, I trust Jesus wholeheartedly–I know His word will not return void, and he has already made the supreme sacrifice for all of us. So I follow his authority. And if he says something will be done, it will be done.
Accept Authority When Given
Matthew chapter 10 also talks about authority: that which was given to us by Jesus Christ. “He called his disciples and gave them authority to drive out evil…” We, as Christ-followers, as Warrior-Shepherds, have been given the authority, entrusted to us by Christ, to exert our God-given power over evil, to defeat it, to crush it under our feet. Amen!
Relinquish Authority When Needed.
How are you with authority? Have you recognized it in your life? Do you ‘relinquish authority’ when necessary and accept it when given?