November 21, 2020: SOAP #4006:  Matthew 8-10

Scripture:  Matthew (NIV) 8:8 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.” 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.

Observation:  The centurion’s understanding of Jesus’ authority came from understanding and using his own authority.  It is important to note that the centurion did not say that he was a man “IN authority,” but a man “UNDER authority.  Being under authority is the key to being in authority. The centurion’s authority came from the ones to whom he was submitted. 

More than thirty scriptures in the Gospels have Jesus saying He was sent.  He was here to do His Father’s will.  Jesus, as the Son of Man, was under the authority of His Father. 

Application:  If we cannot be under authority, we cannot be in authority.  It is under authority that we learn how to be in authority. Again, the source of our authority flows from the authority of the one to whom we submit.  The blessing of submission is authority. 

Prayer:  Lord help me learn, help me remember, and remind me to submit to the authorities you have set in my life, in the church and in the community.  May I be a good example of submission. Amen

Pastor Leon
Making friends for time and eternity!