How can we cultivate a faith that trusts Jesus' authority as seen in Matthew 8:9? The Centurion’s Insight Matthew 8:9: “For I myself am a man under authority, with soldiers under me. I say to one, ‘Go,’ and he goes; and to another, ‘Come,’ and he comes; and to my servant, ‘Do this,’ and he does it.” • The centurion recognized that Jesus commands sickness the way a Roman officer commands troops. • He knew authority flows from being “under” higher authority; Jesus, as the Son of God, bears limitless authority (Matthew 28:18). • His confession drew praise from Jesus (Matthew 8:10), illustrating that trust in Christ’s word still moves His heart. Grasping the Source of Jesus’ Authority • John 1:1-3—Jesus is the Word through whom all things were made. • Colossians 1:17—“in Him all things hold together.” • Hebrews 1:3—He “upholds all things by His powerful word.” • Because His authority is rooted in His divine nature, it can never diminish or fail. Steps to Cultivate Trust in Jesus’ Authority 1. Immerse the heart in Scripture • Romans 10:17—“So faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the word of Christ.” • Daily reading plants continuous reminders of what He can do. 2. Recall His proven record • Psalm 77:11—“I will remember the works of the LORD.” • Keep a written journal of answered prayers and past deliverances. 3. Submit willingly under His command • James 4:7—“Submit yourselves therefore to God.” • Voluntary surrender aligns the believer with the chain of authority the centurion understood. 4. Practice immediate obedience • John 14:15—“If you love Me, you will keep My commandments.” • Prompt action trains the will to trust His word before circumstances shift. 5. Speak in agreement with His word • 2 Corinthians 4:13—belief expresses itself through confession. • Declare promises aloud; vocal agreement reinforces inner confidence. 6. Refuse competing voices • 2 Corinthians 10:5—in Christ every thought is taken captive. • Filter news, conversations, and media through the truth of Scripture. 7. Stay connected to Christ’s body • Hebrews 10:24-25—mutual encouragement sustains unwavering faith. • Testimonies from fellow believers magnify the reality of His authority. Guarding the Heart Against Doubt • Ephesians 6:16—lift “the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one.” • Philippians 4:8—dwell on what is true, honorable, just, pure, lovely, commendable. • Psalm 1:2-3—delighting in the law of the LORD produces stability and fruitfulness. Living in the Confidence of His Command • As the centurion trusted a spoken order, believers rest in Christ’s promises. • Each step of obedience—no matter how ordinary—affirms that Jesus’ authority governs every realm: sickness, nature, demonic forces, sin, and death itself (Mark 4:39; Luke 4:35; Matthew 9:6). • A lifestyle shaped by such trust shines as a testimony that the same Jesus who spoke in Capernaum still rules and reigns today. |
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