Power through obedience | Lessons from Matthew 8 (Part 3)

The centurion KNEW Jesus had authority to heal his servant, just by the word He spoke! But Jesus was amazed at the centurion! Absolutely amazed. He said in 8:10, “I haven’t found such faith anywhere!” Not in Galilee, not in Syria, Decapolis nor Trans-Jordan, not in Judea nor Jerusalem, not in all the places where He was working with Jewish people. He said bluntly, “I’ve not found such great faith in all Israel!” You see, your religion without faith in God, in Jesus, without relationship, without obedience – is nothing. He says in v11, “Many will come from the East and the West and shall sit down with Abraham, Isaac and Jacob in the Kingdom of Heaven…” Outsiders will enter the Kingdom! But the religious, those who think themselves to be ‘children of the Kingdom’ will be cast into outer darkness, where they will weep and gnash their teeth!

To the Roman centurion Jesus said, “Go your way, and it will be done as you have believed.” And his servant was healed at that very same moment. THAT’S the authority God has given us THROUGH Christ.

Jesus had authority because of His obedience to His Father. If we follow His example, we too can ask the Father – in the Name of Jesus – for whatever we want – and He will give us what we ask. It’s incredible! BUT we must ourselves be willing to be OBEDIENT, whatever the cost, and so follow Jesus.