Scripture

“I know this because I am under the authority of my superior officers, and I have authority over my soldiers.”

Observation

As Jesus comes down from the mountain, a leper approaches Him and asks to be healed. Jesus heals him and tells him to go to the Temple and make the required sacrifice.

When Jesus returns home to Capernaum, a Roman centurion asks Jesus to heal his servant. The centurion tells Jesus to just say the word and the servant will be healed. He knows about authority, being under authority himself.

Jesus is amazed by this man’s faith which is greater than any He has seen in the people of Israel. He tells him to go home for his faith has healed the servant.

Application

The centurion understood spiritual authority because of his experience of military authority. His own authority over his soldiers stemmed from his submission to higher authority. To be able to function in his role, he had to recognise his place in the chain of command. As long as he remained faithful to his superior officers, he knew they would back him up in his authority over the men under him.

Christians have authority on the basis of their submission to other people in the Body of Christ as well as their submission to Christ Himself. Anyone who tries to act outside of the Body will not be able to function on their own.

A centurion who only took orders directly from the Emperor and defied his commanders would not last long before being removed.

If we try to exercise authority over demons and diseases, and are not rightly located in the Body and submitted to others, then we will not be effective.

The reason that this is so important is that true humility is the hallmark of the christian life, and is vital in spiritual warfare. Humility is our weapon and can only be wielded by the person who submits to others.

Prayer

Thank you Lord for giving us authority over all things. Please help me to subject myself to proper authority so I can exercise authority. Amen.