Mat 8:5 to 12, "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. I say to you that many will come from the east and the west, and will take their places at the feast with Abraham, Isaac and Jacob in the kingdom of heaven. But the subjects of the kingdom will be thrown outside, into the darkness, where there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth."

Introduction about this centurion

The Roman officer commanded 100 soldiers but submitted himself to Christ's command. Jesus responded to his faith by healing his paralyzed servant. This teaches that Christ's healings were not confined to Israel. Belonging to the chosen race is not the criterion for belonging to God's kingdom. Submissive faith is. God can still work miracles for persons of all races and nations who submit to Him in faith. The faith of the centurion gained more for him than the inheritance of the Jews did for them. Personal faith, not family tradition, is the basis of prayer. In Luke 7:9 "When Jesus heard this, he was amazed at him, and turning to the crowd following him, he said, "I tell you, I have not found such great faith even in Israel."

Power over distance, 8:5-13 (Luke 7:1-10)

Why this centurion came to Jesus? Because of the need.

1. Mat 8:5 And when He had entered Capernaum, a centurion (A Roman army officer who commanded 100 men.) came to Him, entreating Him,
2. The centurion came because of a need in his house Mat 8:6 and saying, "Lord, my servant is lying paralyzed at home, suffering great pain."

Why he did not allow Jesus Christ to come to his house? when Jesus himself told "I will come to your house?"

1. He felt he is not worthy to have Jesus under his house. In Mat 8:8 "But the centurion answered and said, "Lord, I am not worthy for You to come under my roof,
2. He believed that Jesus can heal his servant even with out coming to his house. "but just say the word, and my servant will be healed."
3. He was under authority in Mat 8:9 "For I, too, am a man under authority,
4. He had also practiced the principles of "Authority" in his own life since he was a leader over 100 men. "with soldiers under me; and I say to this one, 'Go!' and he goes, and to another, 'Come!' and he comes, and to my slave, 'Do this!' and he does it."

What he was really telling to Jesus Christ here?

• I am a man under authority. If a lesser officer can give orders, certainly Christ, who possesses all authority, can.

What was the reaction of our Lord Jesus towards the centurion?

• Mat 8:10 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. (The faith of the centurion gained more for him than the inheritance of the Jews did for them. Personal faith, not family tradition, is the basis of prayer.)

What is the difference here Jesus could see in this centurion’s faith? Which he could not see in Israel?

• In Mat.8:10…"I tell you the truth, I have not found anyone in Israel with such great faith. That is "If a lesser officer can give orders, certainly Christ, who possesses all authority, can.

The spiritual Authority of Jesus Christ.

1. Jesus told others that he has authority in Mat 9:6 But so that you may know that the Son of Man has authority on earth to forgive sins.
2. Others told about Jesus by seeing the works of God in his life and ministry in Mat 9:8 When the crowd saw this, they were filled with awe; and they praised God, who had given such authority to men.
3. Jesus gave that authority to all His disciples in Mat 10:1 He called his twelve disciples to him and gave them authority to drive out evil spirits and to heal every disease and sickness. (Jesus completed His Father's mission by training the disciples and sending them on mission. The mission was divisive and brought rejection and persecution. Participation in Christ's mission means participating in the kingdom of God. The presence of the kingdom involved getting rid of disease and demons. The God who sees all will reveal all even as He cares for all. Disciples of the kingdom openly acknowledge Jesus as Lord even amid controversy and threats, knowing God will reward His faithful servants.
4. Jesus has all authority In Mat 28:18 Then Jesus came to them and said, "All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me.
5. Jesus is willing to give all His authorities to all his disciples. In Mark 6:7 Calling the Twelve to him, he sent them out two by two and gave them authority over evil spirits.

What all you can do with this Spiritual authority?

• Luke 10:19 I have given you authority to trample on snakes and scorpions and to overcome all the power of the enemy; nothing will harm you.

What is the proof of Christ’s authority?

• John 2:18 Then the Jews demanded of him, "What miraculous sign can you show us to prove your authority to do all this?" John 2:19 Jesus answered them, "Destroy this temple, and I will raise it again in three days."
• John 10:18 No one takes it from me, but I lay it down of my own accord. I have authority to lay it down and authority to take it up again. This command I received from my Father."

Which is the highest authority the worldly one or the spiritual one?

• Submission to the Authorities
• Rom 13:1 Everyone must submit himself to the governing authorities, for there is no authority except that which God has established. The authorities that exist have been established by God.
• Rom 13:2 Consequently, he who rebels against the authority is rebelling against what God has instituted, and those who do so will bring judgment on themselves.

• Submission to Rulers and Masters
• 1 Pet 2:13 Submit yourselves for the Lord's sake to every authority instituted among men: whether to the king, as the supreme authority,
• 2 Pet 2:10 This is especially true of those who follow the corrupt desire of the sinful nature and despise authority. Bold and arrogant, these men are not afraid to slander celestial beings;

What can be the difference in the spiritual authority?

• 2 Cor 13:10 This is why I write these things when I am absent, that when I come I may not have to be harsh in my use of authority--the authority the Lord gave me for building you up, not for tearing you down. (The authority of the apostle came directly from Christ. It was conveyed as Christ spoke through the apostle and brought the community of faith into being. His conduct confirmed his apostleship (1 Th 2:1-12) which was used only for the well-being of the community (2 Co 10:8).

What must be done to get much blessings and profit in our spiritual life?

• Heb 13:17 Obey your leaders and submit to their authority. They keep watch over you as men who must give an account. Obey them so that their work will be a joy, not a burden, for that would be of no advantage to you.

Which is the great Faith Jesus is referring here?

• Knowing the authority what Jesus Christ had and his word can do for any one and believing God is God and he will reward every one who seek Him from the depth of our heart. In Heb 11:6 And without faith it is impossible to please God, because anyone who comes to him must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who earnestly seek him.

What is Faith?

• F-A-I-T-H- is For All I Trust Him.
• Trust God without seeing the result is more important. In Heb 11:1 Now faith is being sure of what we hope for and certain of what we do not see.

How many will be added to the Lord?

• Mat 8:11 I say to you that many will come from the east and the west, and will take their places at the feast with Abraham, Isaac and Jacob in the kingdom of heaven.

What will happen in the end? Two types of results.

• Mat 8:12 But the subjects of the kingdom will be thrown outside, into the darkness, where there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth."

What are the results?

• Those who are far away from the kingdom of God are coming very near.
• Those who are near they go backslide from the kingdom of light to darkness.

How we are brought to the kingdom of light?

• Jesus Christ is a light of the world in John 1:4 In him was life; and the life was the light of men. John 1:5 And the light shineth in darkness; and the darkness comprehended it not.

• Col 1:12 giving thanks to the Father, who has qualified you to share in the inheritance of the saints in the kingdom of light.
• Col 1:13 For he has rescued us from the dominion of darkness and brought us into the kingdom of the Son he loves,

How people are going from light to darkness?

• Rom 1:21 For although they knew God,
• (1.), they neither glorified him as God . Are we glorifying God above every thing?
• (2.), nor gave thanks to him, but Are we praising God daily?
• (3.), their thinking became futile and They think more about themselves.
• (4.), their foolish hearts were darkened.

How to stay in the authority?

• Staying in authority is simply living under authority. Only those who are under authority only can function in the realm of authority. Only to the disciple of Jesus the Demons feared. So staying under the authority of Jesus only help us to remain in the authority.

May the Lord help each one of us to have great faith by trusting the authority of God. Let us not loose our crown by going from light to darkness.

Your ‘web-site’ Pastor.
Rev. T. Marcus Devasahayam.