October 4, 2025 -Under Authority

MATTHEW 8:5-13

LUKE 7:1-17

MATTHEW 11:1-19

LUKE 7:18-35

MATTHEW 11:20-30

LUKE 7:36-50

Chronological Bible Readings

^{Mathew 8:5} When Jesus had entered Capernaum, a centurion came to him, asking for help. ⁶ “Lord,” he said, “my servant lies at home paralyzed, suffering terribly.”

⁷ Jesus said to him, “Shall I come and heal him?”

⁸ 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. ⁹ 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.”

There are several things that I have been praying about one of them is about being an elder in the church. Asking for wisdom and guidance in how to do that in obedience to Him. Today I prayed before reading that God would speak to me in today's reading for myself and or for others according to His will. When I read this very first scripture today, I was immediately reminded of the exact scripture being referenced in the book I am reading about eldership in the church. It was about being humble and willing to come under the authority of others. As elders we are leaders and must make decisions and function in a position of authority. But it needs to be in humility and in submission to the authority over us. Submission to the pastor as lead elder and submission to Christ as head of the church. Submission in all things big and small. Yesterday I talked about my need to remember to seek Christ's guidance in all things including things that might seem to be obvious. A no-brainer so to speak. When we I don't seek Christ it is most likely to lead to conflict because my responses are based on my desires not on Christ direction. This story is the perfect example of coming under authority. A centurion is a man of great power and authority but when acknowledging Jesus' authority and power to heal his servant. He doesn't talk about understanding having the power first, but he talks about being under the authority of someone else. He acknowledges that there is a greater power than him and that it is the authority of Jesus that matters. He knows what it looks like to humble himself to authority because he does it often and well. I also took notice that he cares for those who are under his care. His servant is a nobody compared to him, but he goes to the trouble of seeking healing for him. The reading in Luke of this story gives more information.

Luke 7:1 When Jesus had finished saying all this to the people who were listening, he entered Capernaum. ² There a centurion’s servant, whom his master valued highly, was sick and about to die. ³ The centurion heard of Jesus and sent some elders of the Jews to him, asking him to come and heal his servant. ⁴ When they came to Jesus, they pleaded earnestly with him, “This man deserves to have you do this, ⁵ because he loves our nation and has built our synagogue.” ⁶ So Jesus went with them.

He was not far from the house when the centurion sent friends to say to him: “Lord, don’t trouble yourself, for I do not deserve to have you come under my roof. ⁷ That is why I did not even consider myself worthy to come to you. But say the word, and my servant will be healed. ⁸ 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.”

We see that he did not go Himself but sent some "elders of the Jews" to Jesus. He was a Roman Centurian who would be considered of great power over the Jew. But he doesn't go himself in authority to influence Jesus to comply with his request. He humbles himself and asks those "beneath" him according to Roman culture, to seek Jesus' favor. This also looks like a form of honoring Jesus, who He is and His people. He had to have had a conversation with the elders that was similar to the conversation they had with Jesus to be able to speak for him. I imagine that when he asked the elders to go they said why don't you go yourself. You would be more likely to be seen and heard than we are. The Jews recognized his humble heart and his concern for God's people as well as his servants. As Jesus was on the way to go to the house the centurion sends more people to say don't make the trip here, I trust you and your authority. I know that all you need to do is will it to be done. He trusted in Jesus' power and had faith that He could heal the servant.

Humility is rooted in trust, faith and love. These are kingdom principals that one day we will naturally live out in the presence of God.

LUKE 7:28 I tell you, among those born of women there is no one greater than John; yet the one who is least in the kingdom of God is greater than he.”

To think that in the kingdom of heaven we will be able to be of greater faith and obedience than John was.

Matthew 11:28 “Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. 29 Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. 30 For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.”

Taking on the yoke of Christ is trusting Him to lead us. He humbles Himself to the Father. As we humble ourselves to Him we are yoked together with Him and He will gently lead us. When we trust in His power it takes the burden off of us as we surrender things to His control.