Christ's Authority

Only Jesus can heal someone without even being present to do it. Matthew and Luke both record an instance in which Jesus declared someone would be healed, and later the person was found to be well. In Luke 7:1-10, Jesus is approached by some people on behalf of their leader, a Centurion in the Roman army. They are asking for Jesus to come heal one the servants of this soldier, and Jesus agrees to go.

On the way to where the Centurion was they were greeted by more of his servants, this time asking Jesus not to come heal the man, but to simply issue the command to do so. According to the Centurion, he was not worthy to have Jesus enter his house, and he believed the miracle could occur even without Jesus being present. Jesus is moved by the great display of faith: He was on the way to heal the man, but the Centurion was willing to risk everything. If Jesus never came to the house, the servant might not get better, but in faith the Centurion trusted that Jesus would come through. And He did.

This Centurion was used to sending people on missions; as the name suggests, he had a hundred men under his command. His job depended on him being able to give the word and trust that the order would be fully carried out; he could not waste time following his men to make sure they were doing things right. His authority demanded that his words be carried out. This Centurion recognized that kind of authority in Jesus (albeit on a different level). All Jesus had to do was speak the word and the command for healing would be carried out, and that is exactly what happened.

That is the authority of Christ. When He spoke in a boat, the wind and seas obeyed Him. When He spoke at Creation, all the elements rushed to obey. When He gave the word, the Centurion’s servant was instantly better. That same power is still present today. When we call out to Him for forgiveness or salvation, He answers the call without delay.

If there is something in your life that seems too big for you, have the faith of the Roman Centurion. Take it to the Lord in prayer, because nothing is impossible with God.

“When Jesus heard these things, He marveled at him, and turned around and said to the crowd that followed Him, ‘I say to you, I have not found such great faith, not even in Israel!’”

Luke 7:9