The Authority of Jesus
A high-ranking soldier asked Jesus to heal his servant back at his house. He told the Lord that he did not need to go to the house but believed that Jesus could “Just say the word” and the servant would be healed. He explained it this way, “I also am a man under authority, with solders under me; and I say to this one, “Go,” and he goes, and to another, ‘Come,’ and he comes.” Jesus spoke of the Roman soldier’s great faith and his servant was healed at “that very moment” (Mt. 8:5-13).
The authority of Jesus was recognized in a variety of ways. His unique teachings amazed the masses, for “he taught “as one having authority” (Mt. 7:29). He had the authority to forgive sins. stating on one occasion, “So that you may know that the son of Man has authority on earth to forgive sins” -He then said to the paralytic, ‘Get up, pick up your bed and go home.” And the man did just that. The people “glorified God, who had given such authority to men” (Mt. 9:1-8).
It is hard for us to comprehend Jesus’ statement that “All authority has been given to Me in heaven and on earth” (Mt. 28:18). He does not have to be in the room to answer our prayers, only that we must have that “great faith” of the soldier. We need to obey His teachings, knowing that He has the authority to forgive our sins.
-Dennis Doughty