Recognizing Your Authority

 

 

Matthew 8:5-10. (NKJV)

5. Now when Jesus had entered Capernaum, a centurion came to Him, pleading with Him,

6. saying, "Lord, my servant is lying at home paralyzed, dreadfully tormented."

7. And Jesus said to him, "I will come and heal him."

8. 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.

9. "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."

10. When Jesus heard it, He marveled, and said to those who followed, "Assuredly, I say to you, I have not found such great faith, not even in Israel!"

 

The centurion acted upon what he believed, and Jesus called that faith. He recognized the authority that had been given to Jesus to heal the sick, so he took action based upon that authority. 

 

Recognizing and using our authority is one of the main shortcomings of the Body of Christ today. Like the centurion, we need to be taking action to free the world from the bondage of sin based upon the authority that has been given to us in the name of Jesus. Just as the centurion’s servant needed only a word from Jesus in order to be healed, all we need is just a word away in the Gospel of Jesus Christ. And like Jesus, our Lord and Savior, we have in us that Word that can bring healing to those afflicted.