Authority on the Road Less Traveled July 5th Message

Sunday Shortcut: Devotional Version of the Sermon Read Luke 7:1-10 There are a few key details of this story that highlight the centurion. These details turn this story from a mundane healing, if you can ever call a healing mundane, into a story of a role model, someone you can mold your life after. One detail to notice comes from those following Jesus as compared to the centurion. The crowd following Jesus had heard his teaching, and seen him heal and it was likely that some of this crowd were people who had been coming from all over to try and get close to Jesus so that he would heal them and now that they were healed they were following him. However, the centurion sent his friends to tell Jesus, you don't need to come here just say the word and he will be healed. The centurion was different from the crowds because he trusted in Jesus's authority to be effective, even from a distance. The second detail comes for the Jewish elders as compared to the centurion. The Jewish elders pleaded for Jesus to go but they don’t call him Lord, they just asked him to go. They did not recognize Jesus as Lord, they just saw him as a healer. On the other hand the centurion, although he was likely the highest authority militarily, economically, and sociologically in Capernaum, humbled himself and called Jesus Lord. The man with the greatest Authority in Capernaum realizes that his authority is nothing compared to Jesus's. He did not even see himself as worthy to come to Jesus let alone force Jesus to make himself unclean by entering a Gentiles home. In all that he did, the centurion humbled himself before Jesus calling himself undeserving and unworthy. The centurion was different from the Jewish elders and trusted in Jesus's authority far above his own. The third detail is the depth of his faith compared to all others. In verses 7-8 he is in essence saying “I believe that Jesus’ authority is great enough that at his word he can do anything from anywhere.” He’s asking Jesus “My Lord, will you answer my prayer even though you're far away? I believe that you can do it because of the authority that you have which is far greater than mine so will you heal him, will you answer my prayer?” Jesus was amazed at his faith and says that the centurion’s faith is greater than anyone else’s that he has found. Although he was a Gentile, although he had great authority, he believed in Jesus and his authority more than anyone else even in all of Israel. The centurion trusted in Jesus’ authority with great faith. As believers we should strive to be more like the centurion. Jesus' authority is effective even over a distance, which we can show our trust by praying for people. Jesus’ authority is far above our own and we can show our trust by humbling ourselves and allowing Him to be our Lord and master. Jesus is calling you, will you trust in his authority with great faith? Do you have faith like the centurion? Jesus is inviting you to trust in his authority and to believe in the gospel and receive Him as your Lord. Will you hear his voice and draw near to him? Have a blessed week trusting in the Lord’s authority.